Memori 2nd Chance


Antara jenama fesyen yang pernah cukup popular satu ketika dahulu… kini tinggal nostalgia 😢 Dulu kalau ke bandar JB, antara tempat wajib singgah ialah 2nd Chance di Holiday Plaza. Iklan mereka pula selalu muncul di TV Singapura — dengan model mat salleh dan gaya moden yang buat ramai sangka ia jenama luar negara. Rupa-rupanya, 2nd Chance diasaskan oleh usahawan Melayu Singapura, Mohamed Salleh Marican.

Kisahnya bermula pada tahun 1975 apabila beliau membuka perniagaan jahitan pakaian lelaki yang gagal selepas hanya empat bulan. Namun beliau bangkit semula beberapa bulan kemudian dan menamakan perniagaan baharunya “Second Chance” — peluang kedua. Selepas beralih kepada pakaian siap pakai lelaki, jenama ini berkembang pesat hingga mempunyai puluhan cawangan di Singapura dan Malaysia menjelang akhir 1980-an.

Menariknya, selepas Salleh memenangi anugerah usahawan dan identitinya semakin dikenali, jualan mula merosot kerana ramai pelanggan baru sedar jenama itu sebenarnya milik tempatan, bukan import Barat seperti yang mereka sangkakan. Pada tahun 1990-an, syarikat ini mempelbagaikan perniagaan dengan membuka butik First Lady dan kedai emas Golden Chance. Mereka turut melabur dalam hartanah komersial di lokasi terkenal seperti Lucky Plaza dan Sim Lim Square.

Tahun 1997 menyaksikan 2nd Chance mencipta sejarah apabila disenaraikan di Bursa Singapura — syarikat Melayu/Islam pertama yang mencapai kejayaan tersebut. Hari ini, nama 2nd Chance mungkin tidak lagi segah dahulu. Tetapi bagi generasi 80-an dan 90-an, ia tetap mengingatkan kita kepada zaman Holiday Plaza, Subang Parade, iklan TV Singapura dan nostalgia shopping rentas tambak.


Screenshot dari filem "Abang 92"

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