Hua Ho Department Store
Hua Ho Department Store is a prominent Bruneian retail and supermarket conglomerate and the country's largest homegrown department store chain, established in 1947 by the late Pehin Kapitan China Kornia Diraja Dato Paduka Lau Ah Kok.[1] Operating as a diversified enterprise, the company utilizes a unique "farm-to-shelf" business model, integrating its extensive retail network with its own proprietary agricultural and poultry farms to ensure national food security and product freshness.[2] With over 13 locations across the Brunei-Muara District and Tutong District, it serves as a primary hub for international brands in fashion, electronics, and household goods while remaining a leading distributor of locally produced agricultural goods.[3]
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Hua Ho | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1947 Kampong Manggis |
| Founder | Lau Gim Kok |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 13 |
Area served | Brunei |
Key people |
|
| Products | |
| Owner | Lau Gim Kok Family |
| Subsidiaries |
|
| Website | huaho |
Locations
Hua Ho currently boasts a presence in thirteen vibrant locations: Minimart, Sengkurong, Gadong 2, Yayasan, Kiulap, Delima, Manggis, Tanjong Bunut, Tutong, Mulaut, Bebatik Kilanas, Onecity Sungai Hanching and Kpg Salar, offering a diverse and accessible shopping experience.[4]
Inhouse Brands
Due to increasing demand, Hua Ho has started to manufacture their own inhouse brand, BONUS, which sells electrical and daily used goods such as tissues and detergents.[5]
Loyalty Cards
Hua Ho have also introduced two loyalty cards: the H2 card and the SYMB card. These two loyalty cards operate by different rewarding systems.[5]
H2
The use of H2 card is applicable in 9 Hua Ho outlets, namely:
- Kiulap
- Delima
- Tutong
- Gadong 2
- Mini Mart
- Mulaut
- Bebatik Kilanas
- Sungai Hanching
- Kg Salar
SYMB
In the year 2008, Hua Ho Department Store launched the SYMB Bonus Card for its outlets,
- Sengkurong
- Manggis
- Tanjong Bunut
- Yayasan
Controversy
During May 2015, reports spread throughout Brunei that Hua Ho were selling fake eggs imported from China. However, the Bruneian Department of Agriculture and Agrifoods quickly denied this allegation; simply saying, 'Hua Ho Department Store does not import chicken eggs from any external sources as the production at the Hua Ho farm is sufficient as sale stocks at their department stores.' [6]
Closure of Yayasan branch
After 21 years of service at the SYMB branch, Hua Ho announced that the Yayasan branch will close its doors on 16 January 2018.
References
- ^ Bandial, Ain (11 January 2018). "From humble farmer to retail tycoon: How Pehin Lau built the Hua Ho empire". The Scoop. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ "In Brunei, a Retail Chain Grows Its Own Produce". BIMP-EAGA. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ "About Us - Hua Ho Department Store". huaho.com. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ Store, Hua Ho Department. "Hua Ho Department Store 华和百货商场". Hua Ho Department Store. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ a b "HUA HO DEPARTMENT STORE (YAYASAN SHHB COMPLEX) | Brunei Business". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
- ^ "Rumours on Fake Eggs Sold at Hua Ho Department Store is False". Archived from the original on 2015-10-11. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
Further reading
- Siang, Sim Jing (2000). Taking Root in Brunei: The Lau Gim Kok Story. Mentor Publishing Sdn. Bhd. ISBN 983-9768-88-3.
- Metussin, Khairi; et al. (2011). Business Icons. PHMD Publishing. ISBN 978-99917-54-60-4.