CzipLee can’t be weathered down no matter what happens

CzipLee, a family-owned business that has been in operation for almost 50 years since 1968, began as a simple sundry store in Kajang, Selangor. They sold a variety of things including candy, newspapers, and limited stationery in its early days as a sundry store.

CzipLee, a stationery distributor, has also managed to sustainably keep its specialized services, which include offering patrons books and stationery, as well as premium stationery, art supplies, printing services, and lifestyle products. Their family-style service and community spirit enabled the native stationery business to grow from a small storefront in Kajang to a four-story shop lot spanning more than 10,000 square feet of retail space.

Customers may now browse through CzipLee’s combined inventory of over 70,000 handpicked products at any of their Klang Valley and Johor shops.

CzipLee Still Going Strong Despite Being Challenged by the 5 Elements

The success attained by CzipLee’s business over the years wasn’t achieved overnight. Many difficulties were encountered with the four elements of matter: water, fire, air, and earth.

Multiple flooding occurrences happened at CzipLee in Kajang in 2011, leading to severe business and stock losses. Then a raging fire broke up at CzipLee Bangsar in 2016, prompting the local community and firefighters to work together to put it out. CzipLee considered closing the store or reconstructing it because 80% of the stock and equipment had been damaged.

If this wasn’t a challenge enough for the business, the international Covid-19 outbreak, like other businesses, brought CzipLee’s in-store encounters to a halt. Even though an online store has been in operation since 2011, the company has shifted its focus to the Internet and social media methods.
CzipLee’s two-story corner-lot landmark in the commercial district of Telawi, Bangsar, was recently sold to sustain the company’s existing and future business objectives.

CzipLee Redirecting Their Moves

CzipLee’s unanticipated mishaps over the years have taught the family and team the value of being resilient while remaining flexible when faced with adversity. In Chinese, the word “Czip” (集) means joined gathering, which reflects a close-knit family unit. “Lee” (利) symbolizes vision, endurance, and strength to prosper both the family and the customer.

Many people now sought out chain stores for local stationery, and parking becoming increasingly problematic in Bangsar. The team knew the business needed to rethink its survival plans. So, they took the opportunity to invest in and plan a completely new idea for the freshly refurbished CzipPlus location by CzipLee in Bangsar.

The stationery store has shifted its focus from real sites to concept stores and pop-ups. Each of these stores has a unique collection of stationery, art materials, and lifestyle items.

Their outlets include CzipLee Southkey, which focuses on fine writing, journaling, and seasonal seminars in Johor. Whereas, CzipPetit, located in Bangsar Village 2, offers a variety of items ranging from ordinary stationery to curated books to journaling tools.

With its handpicked range of writing instruments, ink supplies, fine arts, and printing services, CzipPlus, its newest concept store along Jalan Telawi, is the highlight and cherry on top. CzipLee also operates a pop-up shop in Jippuri, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, which sells exclusive Japanese stationery.

CzipLee has faithfully retained its original store in Kajang, which sells general stationery and schoolbooks. This location is currently maintained by the Chen family cousins.