When it comes to a good retail experience, most will agree that it all comes down to delivering top-of-the-class services that just can’t be replicated with online shopping.
This is part of the concept behind The Exchange TRX, a new destination in the heart of Kuala Lumpur that is set to redefine the luxury retail landscape in Malaysia.
Those seeking some retail therapy will be pleased to discover new-to-the-market stores such as luxury Japanese department store Seibu, Finnish clothing and home furnishing brand Marimekko, fashion brand Maison Kitsuné, Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster, Californian athleisure brand Alo Yoga and more as they make their brick-and-mortar debut in the country.
Driven by this idea of forging a sense of belonging and community, The Exchange TRX aims to do so by creating a destination that offers a multitude of places for people to come together and create connections.
The project is by far Lendlease’s largest integrated development in Asia so far and highlights a change in consumer expectations when it comes to physical retail in the digital age.
“Brick-and-mortar stores offer a unique opportunity for customers to connect with a brand in a tangible way, reinforcing a sense of community and shared values,” says Mitch Wilson, the Project Director of Lendlease.
“The pandemic has significantly accelerated pre-existing trends and brought about fundamental changes in how consumers perceive and interact with physical retail spaces.”
Part of this shift in consumer’s changing tastes is the availability of outdoor spaces, a characteristic that sets The Exchange TRX apart from most of the other malls in the country.
“Driven by a heightened awareness of the importance of fresh air and open spaces, we have worked tirelessly to seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor areas at The Exchange TRX,” says Wilson.
These open spaces include family-friendly areas and al fresco dining spaces at the TRX City Park, a rooftop destination that also doubles as a space to host social gatherings or just for those who need a breather from the hustle and bustle of city life.
While The Exchange TRX reflects the changing needs and desires of consumers for physical retail, there’s also space for adapting to new demands in the future. The project revolves around allowing flexibility of these physical spaces, something useful in an industry as fast-changing as retail.
“The Exchange TRX has been designed to have this sort of adaptability. We are continuing to work with brands on expansion and their future needs,” Wilson explains.
The Exchange TRX may be set to raise the standards of retail, but it’s worth noting that the driving force behind the project is backed by an ambition that has been proven successful in all great retail endeavours; which is to create a destination that fosters connections within the community as a way to enrich quality of life.
