Eco-Shop Marketing Eyes Malaysia’s Biggest IPO of 2025, Valued at $1.6 Billion
Eco-Shop Marketing, Malaysia’s leading discount retail chain, is preparing for a highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) set to be the largest in the country in 2025. With a projected valuation of 7 billion ringgit , this IPO is poised to reshape Malaysia’s retail landscape.
Meenu Rapria. 
Eco-Shop, known for its affordable products and wide range of offerings, plans to issue 347 million new shares to retail investors and 515 million existing shares to institutional investors. The shares will be priced at 1.21 ringgit each, aiming to raise 1 billion ringgit (around $227 million) from the IPO.
The trading debut for Eco-Shop is slated for May 23, 2025 on Bursa Malaysia, marking a significant milestone for the company, which has grown rapidly since its inception. With this listing, Lee Kar Whatt, the co-founder and managing director of Eco-Shop, is set to become a billionaire. After the IPO, Lee will retain a 73% stake in the company, with an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion.
The private equity firm Creador, which acquired a 10% stake in Eco-Shop in 2019, will see its ownership reduced to 1.9% following the IPO. Despite the dilution, Creador remains a key stakeholder as the company moves forward with its ambitious expansion plans.
A significant portion of the funds raised from the IPO will be directed towards expanding Eco-Shop’s operations. This includes building new distribution centers, enhancing its retail network, and reducing existing debt. The company plans to accelerate its growth, with an annual target of 70 new store openings over the next five years, capitalizing on Malaysia’s increasing demand for budget-friendly retail options.
Founded in 2003 by Lee Kar Whatt, his brother Lee Tiong Bin, and two other partners, Eco-Shop has grown from a single outlet to more than 350 stores nationwide. The company’s financial performance in 2024 reflected its growth trajectory, with a 70% increase in net profit, reaching 177 million ringgit, and a 26% rise in revenue, totaling 2.4 billion ringgit.
This strong financial performance, combined with its proven business model, makes Eco-Shop’s IPO a highly promising investment opportunity, offering the company a platform to further solidify its market leadership in Malaysia’s retail sector.
