PETALING JAYA, June 27 ― Jutaria Gemilang is planning to open 500 convenience stores throughout Malaysia in the next five years, the firm clarified today, correcting an earlier report identifying GCH Retail (M) Sdn Bhd as the firm doing so.

“It is Jutaria Gemilang Sdn Bhd, a company incorporated  in Malaysia, and  a joint venture between the Dairy Farm Group  and  Gapurna Sdn Bhd that will  conduct the business of owning and operating the convenience  stores and mini-marts,” it said in a press statement this evening.

It added that GCH, which operates the Giant hypermarket and Guardian pharmacy chains, was contracted to provide business management and support services.

The erroneous report issued by national news agency Bernama has since been retracted.

JGSB has opened its first convenience store in Klang and is expected to open 20 convenience stores by year end.