CzipLee, a family-owned SME business that has been operating since 1968, has undergone significant growth and transformation over the years. Starting as a modest sundry store in Kajang, Selangor, the business gradually expanded and now offers a wide range of products and services.
With a focus on providing personalized and community-oriented service, CzipLee successfully expanded its first outlet in Kajang from a small storefront to a four-storey shop spanning over 10,000 sq ft.
Today, CzipLee operates multiple stores in the Klang Valley and Johor, offering an extensive inventory of over 70,000 curated products, including books, stationery, art supplies, printing services, and lifestyle products.
Throughout its journey, CzipLee has faced various challenges. In 2011, the business experienced multiple flooding incidents in Kajang, resulting in significant losses. A fire broke out at the CzipLee Bangsar store in 2016, causing substantial damage.
The global Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022 also posed challenges, prompting CzipLee to shift its focus to online and social media strategies. In 2023, the two-storey corner-lot landmark in Telawi, Bangsar was sold to support the business’s future strategies.
These unforeseen events have taught the CzipLee family and team the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of hardship. The name “Czip” represents unity and family, while “Lee” symbolizes vision, endurance, and strength for both the family and customers.
Alvin Chen, Executive Director of CzipLee, acknowledged the difficult decision to sell the landmark property in Bangsar but emphasized the strategic necessity for the business to evolve and improve its operations.
Post-pandemic, CzipLee faced a decline in sales and changes in consumer behavior, leading to a need for strategic revamping to survive in a market where customers increasingly favored chain stores and faced parking difficulties in Bangsar.
In response to these challenges, CzipLee has redirected its business approach. The newly renovated CzipPlus outlet in Bangsar now operates as a concept store, along with various pop-up stores. Each store offers a unique selection of stationery, art supplies, and lifestyle products.
Examples include CzipLee Southkey in Johor, specialising in fine writing, journaling, and seasonal workshops, and CzipPetit in Bangsar Village 2, offering a diverse range of general stationery, curated books, and journaling materials.
The latest addition, CzipPlus on Jalan Telawi, is a curated store featuring writing tools, ink products, fine arts, and printing services. CzipLee also has a pop-up store, Jippuri, at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, showcasing exclusive Japanese stationery. The original CzipLee in Kajang has been preserved and managed by cousins of the Chen family, maintaining its focus on general stationery and schoolbooks.
Moving forward in 2023, CzipLee plans to expand further to meet customer demands. They aim to create an expanded CzipPetit experience in Bangsar Village 2, tripling its current size and providing a full-fledged concept store with an extensive selection of brands and products.
Additionally, CzipLee intends to return to its core offerings of books and stationery by collaborating with book enthusiasts and partners to establish a unique concept bookstore. This space may include areas dedicated to children, non-fiction books, coffee table books, signature stationery, and a potential play area.
CzipLee is committed to reviving events and workshops, hosting them in the intimate setting of CzipPlus. Recently, they welcomed acclaimed artist and author Red Hong Yi, fostering a sense of community and new relationships. Furthermore, CzipLee aims to hold an annual Mega Clearance Sale and enhance the online and in-app shopping experience for customers.
