JUSCO (ジャスコ Jasuko) is the acronym for Japan United Stores Company, a chain of "general merchandise stores" (or hypermarket) and the largest of its type in Japan. The various JUSCO companies are subsidiaries of ÆON Co., Ltd..
The JUSCO name was adopted in 1970 by a company originally founded as a kimono silk trader in 1758. Renamed ÆON in 1989, it operates stores throughout Japan under JUSCO and other names and also has a presence in Malaysia, Hong Kong, mainland China (永旺 Yǒng wàng), and Thailand.[1]
In 1985 the first JUSCO overseas store was opened, in Plaza Dayabumi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,[2][3] as a jointly-owned company with Cold Storage and three local companies. It was the first time that a Japanese company had entered into a significant joint venture in the Malaysian retail industry. JUSCO assumed total operational control of the chain in 1988. Currently 18 JUSCO stores and supermarkets are in operation in Malaysia with another 4 confirmed openings and three planned stores by 2010.
The AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre in Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia is the largest JUSCO in Malaysia and Southeast Asia with over 2,100,000 square feet (200,000 m2) of built-up area and 5,000 car park bays.
Currently the oldest (though not the first) JUSCO store in Malaysia is JUSCO Taman Maluri, near Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. It opened on 30 October 1989.
JUSCO in Malaysia is notable for being among the first general merchandise chains to introduce biodegradable poly bags made from sweet potatoes.
JUSCO, renamed AEON Stores (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd. subsequently, was established in Hong Kong in November 1987 with the first shop at Kornhill Plaza, Quarry Bay. It was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in February 1994.
The largest JUSCO (also the largest single-building shopping center in Japan) opened in 2005 in Mito.
All except 2 JUSCOs, Srinakarin Rd and Sukhumvit Soi 71, have been closed down in Bangkok, Thailand. ÆON Co., Ltd. is re-expanding there under the MaxValu name instead.