Klippa Shopping Centre Unveils Largest Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, Powered by IKEA

PENANG, Malaysia, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Just days after successfully hosting the Aspen-Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon, Klippa Shopping Centre is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, Powered by IKEA, an exciting addition to its vibrant Batu Kawan destination. Scheduled to open in June 2025, this state-of-the-art facility marks Soccer Experience's first venture on mainland Penang, cementing Klippa's masterplan as THE hub for community, lifestyle, healthy living and fitness.

Operated by Soccer Experience founder Martin Tierney, the Batu Kawan facility that spans across 200,000 square feet will be the largest in the Soccer Experience portfolio. The facility will feature two football fields which includes a roof-covered field designed to host large events, regular competitions, and individual bookings. Additionally, visitors can enjoy light refreshments, including offerings from IKEA at the clubhouse. Equipped with ample parking facilities for maximum convenience, the facility ensures a great experience for all.

Soccer Experience F.C. has a rich history of developing young talent, with many players earning college soccer scholarships, joining various national youth teams, and participating in professional trials. Most recently, Fergus Tierney, the first Soccer Experience youth player and son of founder Martin Tierney, made headlines by scoring his first full international goal for the Malaysia National Football Team. Fergus expressed his excitement about the new Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, Powered by IKEA, sharing that he hopes this facility will inspire and develop the next generation of Malaysian football talent.

The facility will cater to players of all ages through its football academy, which will provide coaching, host leagues and tournaments for women, youth, and children, and aim to nurture talent while fostering inclusivity.

A Commitment to Sustainability and Community

Aligned with Klippa's Masterplan vision for sustainability-focused development, Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, Powered by IKEA, will be partly developed by repurposing materials from an existing project management office building. The facility will also incorporate several green infrastructures such as solar energy solutions and rainwater harvesting systems. To further strengthen its commitment to preserving nature, existing trees will also be replanted within the grounds to create a green eco-friendly environment.

Arnoud Bakker, Director of Market Strategy and Real Estate Development at Ikano Centres, expressed his excitement about Klippa's role in fostering a vibrant, active community, saying, "Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, is a perfect fit for our vision of creating dynamic spaces where people can connect and pursue their passions and aspirations with their friends and family. Following successfully hosting the Penang Bridge International Marathon 2024 and the opening sports retail giant Decathlon, we're proud to continue promoting a healthy, active lifestyle through community-driven initiatives here in Batu Kawan." He added, "Klippa Shopping Centre and masterplan development is more than just a shopping centre; it's the heart of Batu Kawan within Aspen Vision City, Northern Malaysia's future smart city. As the area grows, Klippa's role as a catalyst for that development is key. Our commitment to expanding Klippa and enhancing the experience for the community is unwavering, with green spaces, family-friendly areas, and diverse entertainment offerings. The Soccer Experience facility exemplifies how we continue to evolve, offering enriching experiences that benefit both individuals and our community."

Martin Tierney, Owner & Founder of Soccer Experience, shared his enthusiasm about Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, expansion to Batu Kawan, stating, "We are absolutely delighted to bring Soccer Experience to mainland Penang. This facility represents more than just a sports venue—it's a dynamic, community-driven space that will create connections and lasting memories for people of all ages. Our goal is to not only provide world-class football facilities but also to nurture local talent, promote inclusivity, and inspire a deep passion for the sport. We are committed to offering an environment where players, fans, and families can come together to celebrate football in a way that's accessible, sustainable, and deeply rooted in the values of community and growth. This facility will play a central role in elevating the local sports culture, supporting the development of youth and women's leagues, and contributing to the overall well-being of Batu Kawan's residents and beyond."

Continued Growth and Community Engagement

The Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, Powered by IKEA is a key element of Klippa's commitment to enhancing its position as the heart and hub of the Batu Kawan township. Recent milestones such as the opening of Decathlon in October 2024 solidifies Klippa's position as a hub for active living and retail experiences. Upcoming additions such as the Caltex petrol station is also designed to provide added convenience for visitors. Klippa's successful collaboration with Aspen and the Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) in the recently concluded Aspen-Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon demonstrated its strong commitment to local events and community engagement. The event, which took place near Aspen Vision City Central Park in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan, attracted over 22,000 participants from 65 countries and regions. Klippa played a key role as the venue for race kit collection, welcoming thousands of runners and visitors who enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, further cementing its position as the heart and hub of the Batu Kawan community.

With its blend of sports, lifestyle, and sustainability, the facility promises to be a cornerstone of the Batu Kawan community, offering an unparalleled space for recreation and connection.

For more information about the Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, Powered by IKEA or other developments at Klippa, please follow Klippa Shopping Centre on Facebook and Instagram for latest promotions, events, and updates.

About Ikano Centres

Our portfolio of shopping centres is the heart and hubs of our communities, creating a better everyday life for the 100 million visitors who visit us every year. Together with our IKEA stores, we create meeting places for friends and families to have a safe and fun day out. We also develop land and invest in residential, office and other types of real estate to create vibrant destinations where people can live, work and play. With strong ambitions to grow our portfolio, we currently operate five meeting places in Malaysia and Thailand including IPC and MyTOWN in Kuala Lumpur, Toppen in Johor Bahru, Klippa, the first phase of our shopping centre in Penang, and Megabangna in Bangkok. We are part of Ikano Retail, the only IKEA franchisee in the world owned by the Kamprad family that founded IKEA. To learn more, visit our Ikano Centres WEBSITE or LINKEDIN page.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Klippa Shopping Centre Unveils Largest Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, Powered by IKEA

Company Unveils the Biggest Topics of Global Optimism: Entertainment, AI and Healthcare.

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest research by LG Electronics (LG), 48 percent of consumers say they are more optimistic now than they were compared to six months ago.

The survey, conducted across 16 markets, provides extensive data on global optimism, its drivers and the demographics that feel the most optimistic and happy. The global average optimism score is 7.49/10. France, the UK and Australia were revealed to be among the least optimistic countries, scoring 14.5 percent below the average. Conversely, Saudi Arabia (12 percent above), India (10.8 percent above) and the UAE (8.1 percent above) were the most optimistic. Consumers were most optimistic about their personal growth and development (69 percent) and family dynamics (66 percent), but least optimistic about their finances.

Entertainment, including movies, TV, music and art, was identified as the most significant factor driving optimism (60 percent), followed by AI (56 percent). Less than half of the respondents chose social media (48 percent), while international crises such as war generated the least optimism.

LG conducted the survey to support and understand the nature of happiness, aligning with its brand philosophy, Life's Good. The results are part of LG's broader effort to assess the potential and influence of optimism globally, reflecting the company's commitment to enhancing consumer optimism.

The survey also reveals key aspects of generational attitudes towards optimism. Optimism and happiness both decrease with age, although the latter was found to reduce at a slower rate. Interestingly, despite younger age groups averaging higher rates of happiness and optimism, individuals under 18 reported some of the lowest scores. Additionally, 50 percent of Gen Zs expressed that optimism can be harmful, the highest of any age group. This caution may be due to their life stage, as Gen Zs were twice as likely to disagree about having the tools needed to succeed (16 percent) compared to millennials.

The Role of Social Media

Younger age groups are more likely to search online for positive content and like-minded people to improve optimism. 86 percent of consumers say social media impacts their personal lives, more than those who believe it impacts society (67 percent). Gen Zs are also more likely to talk to a therapist, indulge in shopping or take drastic actions to counter negativity, such as deleting a social media account.

In contrast, older groups tend to seek offline comforts, such as spending time outdoors, seeing family or engaging in hobbies. Younger people appear more willing to seek external methods to boost optimism and happiness compared to their older counterparts.

Optimism your feed

"As a brand that is passionate about spreading optimism, we strive every day to be the most customer-focused we can possibly be." said Kim Hyo-eun, vice president and head of LG's Brand Management Division. "Consumers want tools to feed their optimism and belief in the future, and providing this is a key part of LG's mission. That is why we launched our 'Optimism your feed' campaign, which empowered users to pull more optimistic content into their social media feeds. The campaign has been proven to help consumers boost positive feelings, with 78 percent of people saying they felt more optimistic after seeing the campaign versus before exposure."

The "Optimism your feed" playlist can be found on LG's global TikTok channel (@lge_lifesgood) and global YouTube channel (@LGGlobal). More details can be found on the campaign page on www.lg.com/lifesgood/.

Survey Methodology
Global survey conducted by GWI 
Fieldwork conducted from August 26 to October 7, 2024 
Age: Between 16 – 64 years old, all income levels 
Sample size: 300 respondents each across 16 markets, except for 70 respondents in KSA

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer electronics with a presence in almost every country and an international workforce of more than 74,000. LG's four Companies – Home Appliance Solution, Media Entertainment Solution, Vehicle Solution and the Eco Solution – combined for global revenue of over KRW 82 trillion in 2023. LG is a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial products ranging from TVs, home appliances, air solutions, monitors, automotive components and solutions, and its premium LG SIGNATURE and intelligent LG ThinQ brands are familiar names world over. Visit www.LGnewsroom.com for the latest news.

 Media Contacts:

LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc.

Lea Lee 

Jenny Shin

+82 2 3777 3981

+82 2 3777 3692

lea.lee@lge.com 

jungin.shin@lge.com 

www.LGnewsroom.com  

www.LGnewsroom.com 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

THE STATE OF GLOBAL OPTIMISM REVEALED BY LG IN NEW SURVEY