Yakult Malaysia opens new branch in Kuching
KUCHING: Yakult ( Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is expanding its business operations in East Malaysia with the opening of a new branch office in Kuching to strengthen its presence in Sarawak.
The new branch office is strategically located in a key business area of Kuching at Sublot No.50 (Title Lot No.2270) in Parent Lot 1207, Block 8, SMI Industrial Park ( Phase IV), Jalan Bako, Demak Laut
Yakult boasts an extensive network of eight regional support branches nationwide.
With the new Kuching office that plays an integral role in helping Yakult Malaysia to further expand the East Malaysian market, Yakult cultured milk drink is now available in Sarawak at all Giant, Everise and Ta Kiong stores.
A pack of five bottles of Yakult Ace ( 80ml per bottle) will be sold for RM5.30 and RM5.70 for a similar pack of Yakult Ace Light.
“We are pleased to make our venture into the market in Sarawak by collaborating with Giant Hypermarket, Everise and Ta Kiong stores. With this close collaboration with them, we are confident to receive good response from customers here in Sarawak, just like the response we get from consumers in 33 countries around the world,” said Sales and Marketing director of Yakult ( Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Hiroshi Hamada.
“We are optimistic that we may look forward to enjoying a brisk sales of 1,500 bottles per day (45,000 bottles per month) after the launch. Moving forward, we are confident that we are able to achieve our forecast sales of 5,000 bottles per day (150,000 bottles per month) in the next 3 years,” he added.
“We also hope that in next five years, Yakult will be more widely distributed and available to all consumers across Sarawak and Sabah.”
Launched in Peninsular Malaysia since 2004, Yakult Ace and a lower sugar version of the cultured milk drink, Yakult Ace Light, are very popular among children and adults, with sales reaching 260,000 bottles per day in 2013 within Peninsular Malaysia alone.
According to Yakult Malaysia Public Relations and Science manager Mazlyn Mena, regular consumption of Yakult drinks is associated with good health of the gut and body’s immunity.
“The Shirota strain probiotics in the Yakult drink helps regulate and guard our intestines, leading to healthier bowel movement, and protects from constipation, diarrhea and food poisoning by increasing good bacteria and reducing harmful bacteria in our gut.
“Besides the gut, probiotics also have a positive influence on our immune system, helping our body increase its resistance to infections due to virus and bacteria. Long term studies have also indicated regular consumption of Yakult with reduced risk of several types of cancer including colon cancer, bladder cancer and breast cancer.
“These benefits for our health have been proven scientifically through numerous research studies conducted in Japan, Europe and Asian countries over the past 78 years.”
Currently enjoying the second largest market share among the local cultured milk market, Mr Hamada is confident of capturing the no. 1 position within the next 3 years.
“Yakult is by far the most popular cultured milk drink in the region, and globally our sales have reached 30 million bottles consumption per day in 33 countries. It is only a matter of time before Yakult becomes Malaysia’s no. 1 choice.”