Cover Dang Tai Luk is the founder of the local retail chain MyNews
Dang Tai Luk is the founder of the local retail chain MyNews
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Despite coming from humble beginnings, this rubber tapper’s son managed to build MyNews and grow his business nationwide
For Dang Tai Luk, the visionary man behind retail chain MyNews, his journey to entrepreneurial success is one defined by grit and perseverance—qualities he learned and inherited from his parents.
Growing up with eight other siblings in Air Tawar, Perak, Dang shares the catalyst that changed their humble circumstances: “I once overheard my father say to my mother, ‘Let’s not breed another generation of rubber tappers; let’s work hard to educate our children.’”
Witnessing his father supplement their income with a small welding business to support the family and send most of his siblings to further their studies abroad sparked an entrepreneurial spirit in Dang at a young age. After completing his degree and master’s in computer science at the University of Manitoba, Canada, he returned home and soon ventured into two business stints that, sadly, didn’t work out. Several years later, Dang came across a vacant 200 sq ft retail space in 1 Utama shopping mall. With the support of his wife, he seized the opportunity to take over the basement shop lot, opening a run-of-the-mill newsstand in 1996. Little did he know, this would mark the humble beginnings of what would eventually evolve into the multi-store retail giant that is MyNews today.
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Above MyNews now has a network of over 600 retail stores (Photo: Kolej Space)
MyNews now has a network of over 600 retail stores (Photo: Kolej Space)
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Standing as the largest homegrown convenience store chain in Malaysia, MyNews has a network of over 600 retail stores. Dang also oversees four other brands—South Korean chain CU, British retailer WHSmith Travel, Supervalue minimart, and Maru Coffee—and a Food Processing Centre, which produces the ready-to-eat and baked goods offered at his stores.
The onset of the pandemic dealt a severe blow to the business, forcing the closure of over a hundred outlets. Undeterred, Dang and his dedicated team persevered, gradually steering MyNews back onto the path of profitability. With the entry into the mini market segment with Supervalue minimarts in 2021, and the opening of a stand-alone Maru coffee café this month, the company is diversifying its offerings to meet evolving consumer demands. Additionally, plans are underway to expand CU stores to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, further solidifying its presence nationwide.
See also: Cahaya Surya Bakti founder Soraya Alkaff proves its never too late to make a difference
Above Dang Tai Luk started the first MyNews outlet in 1996, at 1 Utama Shopping Centre
Dang Tai Luk started the first MyNews outlet in 1996, at 1 Utama Shopping Centre
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What sets MyNews apart is not just its scale, but also its commitment to fostering positive change in society. Inspired by his parents’ unwavering resolve to break the cycle of poverty through education, Dang established the Allowances that Allow programme in 2018, dedicated to supporting underprivileged students.
Through the programme, spare change collected via donation boxes placed in MyNews outlets are funnelled to different schools throughout Malaysia to aid students in need of essentials such as school books and tuition fees. To date, it has collected over a million ringgit and has benefited nearly 500 students from 63 schools.
“The tenacity of my parents, who worked so hard to educate their children, has made it possible for me to achieve what I have achieved today. And just like them, I am passionate about changing lives through education,” says Dang, who is living proof that education is key to a potential-filled future.
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