By Kamarul Halim M Kamal
KLUANG, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- BS Freshmart, which began when a group of fishermen wanted to sell their catch directly without depending on middlemen, has expanded to 29 outlets and is targeting to have 35 branches by 2028.
BS Freshmart Sdn Bhd managing director (administration and legislation) Mohammad Rasul Razuan said the idea of selling seafood directly arose after he and several fishermen in Endau, Mersing, experienced being cheated by middlemen while marketing their catch.
He said the disappointment spurred the group to sell fish and other seafood directly at several markets around Mersing and Pahang before expanding their sales to the Pandan Wholesale Market in Johor Bahru and Selayang Wholesale Market in Selangor.
“In 2004, after receiving an encouraging response from customers because we were able to offer fresh seafood at reasonable prices, we agreed to establish our own market, and the first branch was opened in Mersing.
“After the second branch was opened, we also received cooperation from the Pahang government in supplying seafood, particularly during the monsoon season, which subsequently led to the opening of several branches in the state,” he told Bernama after the opening ceremony of BS Freshmart’s 29th branch here today.
Mohammad Rasul said the company, which now employs nearly 2,000 people, continues to focus on selling fresh fish caught by its own fleet of 28 boats based around Mersing.
He said that apart from Johor and Pahang, BS Freshmart also has three branches in Selangor, namely in Kuala Selangor, Rawang and TTDI Jaya, as well as one branch each in Seri Manjung, Perak, and Gua Musang, Kelantan.
He said the group of fishermen, which began operating actively in the 1980s, also owns its own plant and storage facilities with a capacity of about 1,500 metric tonnes of seafood at any one time.
“We usually store large quantities of seafood in preparation for the monsoon season, which runs from about November to March, when fishing activities are affected. This ensures that supplies to consumers are not disrupted,” he said.
Mohammad Rasul said the company also plans to establish vegetable farms and a cattle-rearing project to enable it to source vegetables and fresh meat more directly.
He said the projects are planned for an area in central Peninsular Malaysia and, if successful, the company will consider opening new branches in central and western Johor, including Kulai.
“However, our main focus at present is to ensure that fish such as mackerel, tuna, yellowtail scad and pomfret, as well as seafood such as squid, are offered fresh and at reasonable prices, as most of these are caught by our own fishermen.
“The supermarket also offers daily necessities such as rice and cooking oil, and we will strive to ensure that these items are also sold at affordable prices,” he said.
He said BS Freshmart’s expansion has also been through the assistance and guidance from the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM).
In conjunction with the opening of the latest branch, BS Freshmart also carried out a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme by donating essential daily necessities to 70 asnaf families in the Kluang area.
The supermarket’s opening ceremony was officiated by Kluang District Officer Azurawati Wahid.
-- BERNAMA