We have heard the inspiring story of how 99 Speedmart and MR DIY became household brands. But, have you wondered about the origin of Mydin? How did this retail brand become Malaysia’s largest homegrown Halal hypermarket and retail chain in Malaysia? There are tons of Mydin outlets around Malaysia but not many know the story of how far they have come.
Mydin or previously named Syarikat Mydin Mohamed was founded in Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad (Mydin) was founded in August 1957 by the late Tuan Mydin Mohamed in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The shop was just a small wooden shop in Jalan Tok Hakim, Kota Bharu. At that time, the brand previously named Syarikat Mydin Mohamed or Mydin Mohamed Bros started the business by selling toys and general goods.
As the business was relatively small, Tuan Mydin would take the bus for deliveries out of town because the shop’s only mode of transportation for their goods at that time was just bicycles. Eventually, the business started to do well and he could finally afford a van.
In 1989, the business made its way to the Klang Valley by opening up its first branch at Jalan Masjid India
With the help of his children, he then opened up a second store in Kuala Terengganu in 1979. 10 years later, Mydin made its way to the Klang Valley by opening up its first branch at Jalan Masjid India in 1989. The company started to become more than just an average retail shop. In 1997, its focus has been diversified to not only the non-food sector. As the company started to grow, he then rebranded the business to Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad.
Currently, Datuk Wira Dr Ameer Ali Mydin continues the business legacy after his father passed away
Sadly, its founder Tuan Mydin Mohamed passed away in 2016 and let his son Datuk Wira Dr Ameer Ali Mydin continue his business legacy. During the transition, the brand faced some serious challenges.
Mydin was affected by the Covid-19 lockdown and due to the travel restrictions, shoppers were not able to visit Mydin supermarkets and hypermarkets to buy their necessities. Something needed to be done when the brand launched MydinExpress – an app and e-commerce site that allows customers to shop online and pick up items via drive-thru service at selected hypermarkets and supermarkets.
Mydin now has more than 67 outlets nationwide
The largest hypermarket chain operates more than 67 outlets nationwide inclusive of hypermarkets, emporiums, bazaars, minimarkets known as MyMydin, MyMart which are convenience shops and also franchise outlets known as Mydin Marts. All the hypermarkets are located in MYDIN Mall.
In 2022, Mydin launched its 67th and largest store in Kelantan, the state where it all began. Through the new outlet, Mydin provided around 1,000 jobs as well as business opportunities for local communities. Today, the brand became one of the biggest retail brands in Malaysia.
They were the first to support the new government’s affordable meal programme, Menu Rahmah
Furthermore, they were the first to support the new government’s affordable meal programme that offers a complete meal at just RM4.90. According to its managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin, they are committed to expanding the Menu Rahmah programme to all its branches nationwide. He said Mydin also offers a breakfast menu with 10 varieties of food for as low as RM2.50.
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