KUALA LUMPUR: In a move to make its business more resilient, supermarket chain operator Aeon Co (M) Bhd has partnered with Qualitas Medical Group Sdn Bhd to offer the latter’s clinical healthcare services at Aeon Wellness outlets.
At the launch of the first clinic at Aeon Cheras Selatan yesterday, Aeon’s executive director Poh Ying Loo said the new model for Aeon Wellness is something that has not been explored by the group.
“This year is equally a challenging year. Just like 2015, consumer sentiment is generally much more cautious this year. We have about 45 outlets of Aeon Wellness, certainly it is a defensive industry, so we need to provide the level of differentiation to be different from the other competitors. This kind of collaboration that we have with Qualitas is one of them,” he said.
Nevertheless, Poh said that although revenue contribution from the wellness business is still marginal to Aeon, it will certainly help in mitigating the effects of weak consumer sentiment.
“People are always caring about somebody else except themselves nowadays, and we are constantly seeking ways to enhance our customers’ health.
“Having a pharmacy and clinic alongside each other will prove to be an appreciated convenience,” he added.
Asked if the collaboration will be duplicated at other Aeon Wellness outlets, pharmacy operations assistant general manager Tsunanori Sato said it depends on the market’s reception to the existing one.
“Cheras Selatan is one of our good performing malls, and through our study and survey, we found that there is potential in this catchment. In future, if we find that there is similar potential, we do not discount the possibility of another collaboration,” he said.
Qualitas’ clinic medical personnel at the clinic is certified to treat general ailments, follow up on chronic illnesses and perform minor surgical procedures. The clinic also offers vaccinations, occupational health services and general medical screenings.
The clinic takes up up to 1,000 sq ft at the Cheras Selatan Aeon Wellness, which has a floor space of up to 5,000 sq ft.
Aeon gained five sen or 1.78% at RM2.86 today, giving it a market capitalisation of RM4.02 billion.