PRASARANA INKS DEAL WITH WHSMITH
Book and stationery retailer will open stores at train stations in Klang Valley
PRASARANA Malaysia Bhd has signed a definitive agreement with British retailer WHSmith, where the latter will open stores at Prasarana’s train stations in the Klang Valley.
Prasarana group chief operating officer (strategy and transformation) Ang Yoke Kee said the company would make an announcement in the next few weeks.
WHSmith is a book and stationery retailer, which has stores in a few airports, including the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), klia2 and Senai International Airport.
The opening of the WHSmith’s store at train stations will mark the retailer’s first venture outside of airports.
Globally, it has more than 600 stores on the high street and more than 600 stores at airports, train stations, hospitals and motorway services.
Meanwhile, Prasarana yesterday announced a partnership with tech-enabled express logistics company Ninja Van.
The deal will see the placement of Ninja Van 86 parcel lockers at every RapidKL light rail transit (LRT) stations from Gombak to Puchong, making it the largest parcel locker network in the Klang Valley.
The lockers, known as “Ninja Box”, will provide a convenient and safe alternative for commuters to pick up and drop off their parcels.
The launch of the Ninja Box locker network complements Ninja Van’s current network of more than 550 pick-up and dropoff points, comprising partnering retail and convenience stores nationwide.
Ninja Van Malaysia country head Adzim Halim said the growth of e-commerce and social commerce in the country had increased the amount of parcels being delivered to doorsteps.
However, he said for shoppers who were usually not at home to receive their parcels, alternative locations offered an option for parcel pick-ups and drop-offs.
Adzim said shoppers might choose to have their parcels delivered to an individually-assigned, password-protected Ninja Box located at an LRT station of their choice.
“At Ninja Van, technology and operational excellence are the bedrocks for enabling hassle-free delivery experiences. We are excited to leverage our strengths in providing next-day deliveries with the launch of the Ninja Box parcel locker network,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ang said Prasarana was ready to work with companies to establish strategic partnerships for mutual benefits and to boost the use of public transport services.
FARAH ADILLA KUALA LUMPUR bt@mediaprima.com.my