Eraman perkfor riders of KLIA Ekspres

Eraman Malaysia, the retail arm of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, expects a big jump in revenue to RM511 million this year.

This will be driven mainly by the opening of new outlets, marketing collaboration and introduction of an incentive scheme for its sales advisers.

Eraman chalked up RM413 million sales from its 43 outlets nationwide last year, general manager Umar Bustaman said.

"Of this, almost 85 per cent of the sales generated from the outlets at KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang)," he added.

In KLIA alone, there are 21 Eraman outlets located at the main terminal building, Low-Cost Carrier Terminal, satellite building and contact piers.

Umar was speaking to reporters after the official launch of Eraman-KLIA Ekspres marketing collaboration at KLIA yesterday.

Umar said the company plans to open seven new outlets this year, starting with three in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. There will also be new outlets in Kuching, Langkawi, and KLIA. The latter outlet will be sited at the contact pier of the main terminal building.

"Some of the new outlets are expected to operate at the earliest in June or July," he said.

Investments on the new outlets would be manageable as the company needs to spend mostly on renovation only.

"Currently, most of the plans already at the tender stage. By April, we expect to start renovation works on some of the new outlets," Umar said.

Eraman expects a 10 per cent increase in revenue from its pact with Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) through the latter's train service, KLIA Ekspres.

Under the pact, the commuters can use their single KLIA Ekspres ticket to get a 10 per cent discount whenever they spend a minimum of RM350 at any participating Eraman outlet.

The promotion began on March 1 and runs until September 30.

Eraman also plans to reward its retail advisers nationwide as part of its efforts to boost sales.

"The retail advisers will be rewarded according to their sales. Hopefully, we will be able to implement the scheme by April," Umar said.

Meanwhile, ERL chief executive officer Noormah Mohd Noor said it is banking on the collaboration to meet its target of handling some two million KLIA Ekspres riders.

"KLIA Ekspres moves about 1.6 million travellers a year between the airport and the city. Our passengers will pass through KLIA, and we hope that with this offer, we have given them that extra reason to head straight for Eraman's outlets to shop," she said.