KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 2): QL Resources Bhd is set to launch an additional two FamilyMart outlets by the end of this year, after having already launched two outlets to date.

"Additional services (such as banking and bill payment services) will be rolled out in phases from January onwards," executive director Chia Lik Khai of QL Resources said at the launch of FamilyMart's second outlet in Malaysia today.

Chia maintained that QL Resources' target is to open 300 outlets locally in 5 years, starting with more outlets to be opened in the Klang Valley.

The venture, in partnership with FamilyMart Co Ltd, is expected to breakeven in three to five years, Chia added. 

The first outlet was opened unexpectedly at Wisma Lim Foo Yong in November, as a pilot store to test operations and trial systems.

Although he declined to disclosed the exact sales volume, Chia said a number of their products such as the onigiri, oden and bread, were constantly being sold out.

The two additional FamilyMart outlets are to be located in the TTDI station of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT line and KLIA2.

Over 500 products in FamilyMart Malaysia are imported, mostly from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the USA.

"In the grand scheme of things, the impact (of the weakening ringgit) is not material," Chia told reporters today.

In terms of differentiation from existing convenience stores in Malaysia, Chia said of FamilyMart's focus on serving high quality, fresh foods on a daily basis.