New Malls in JB 2026: SKS City Mall, Horizon Mall and What Singaporeans Need to Know

JB's mall landscape has shifted noticeably in 2025–2026. Two new openings — SKS City Mall and Horizon Mall — have added options beyond the well-established KSL City Mall, AEON Tebrau, and KOMTAR JBCC. If you have not visited JB in the past year, this guide covers what is new, what is worth your time, and how the new malls fit into a shopping day from Singapore.

SKS City Mall (JBCC) — The Gen Z Destination

SKS City Mall, often referred to as JBCC, has positioned itself as the mall for younger shoppers and viral retail concepts. Its anchor tenant draw is KKV — the Chinese lifestyle brand that went viral on TikTok for its visually dense, grid-format stores selling stationery, pop culture merchandise, skincare, and accessories at very competitive prices. KKV stores have driven significant foot traffic in KL and have the same effect in JB.

Beyond KKV, SKS City Mall houses an indoor playground and family entertainment zone that has drawn families from Singapore for day trips — a category of visitor not traditionally well-served by JB's older malls. The food court skews younger too, with bubble tea chains and Instagram-friendly dessert spots concentrated on the upper floors.

What to expect: busier on weekends, good for browsing and entertainment, targeted at the 18–35 age bracket. Credit cards and e-wallets widely accepted.

Getting there: Grab from JB Sentral CIQ takes approximately 10–15 minutes. From Taman Pelangi (Pelangi Capsule Hostel), it is a 12-minute Grab.

Horizon Mall — Garden Shopping Experience

Horizon Mall opened in May 2026 with a distinct identity: an open-air, alfresco shopping concept with garden landscaping integrated into the retail layout. The design borrows from Bangkok's open-mall formats — covered walkways, greenery, and outdoor dining rather than the enclosed air-conditioned box that most Malaysian malls follow.

The food and beverage offer here has been the strongest draw for Singaporean visitors. The outdoor dining area concentrates local JB food, artisan coffee, and international concepts in a setting that feels less like a mall food court and more like a curated food street. Evening visits — after the heat breaks — have become a popular social outing for JB residents and Singaporean day-trippers.

Note: The open-air format means it is significantly warmer than a conventional mall on sunny afternoons. Plan your Horizon Mall visit for after 6 PM to get the best of the evening food scene without the midday heat.

Getting there: Grab from JB Sentral or JB CIQ takes 15–20 minutes.

The Established Malls: Still Worth It

The new openings do not make the existing JB malls obsolete. A quick reference for first-timers:

Practical Shopping Day from Singapore

A typical one-day shopping itinerary for Singaporeans visiting JB:

• Morning (9–10 AM): Cross via Causeway Link CW1 bus (light queues weekdays). Buy Malaysian tourist SIM at JB Sentral — RM10–15, activates in minutes, enables Grab.
• Morning to early afternoon: Grocery run at AEON Tebrau or Mydin. Focus on produce, snacks, and household staples with the widest price gap.
• Lunch: Hawker centres in Taman Pelangi or Jalan Tan Hiok Nee. RM15–25 per person for a proper meal.
• Afternoon: SKS City Mall or KSL City for fashion and retail browsing. Or JPO if outlet shopping is the priority.
• Evening (6 PM onward): Horizon Mall or the Taman Pelangi night market (Tuesdays). Dinner at a hawker centre or street food stall.
• Return crossing: Cross before 9 PM or after 10 PM for lighter queues heading back to Singapore.

Payment in JB Malls

All major JB malls accept Visa and Mastercard credit/debit cards at most retailers. Touch 'n Go e-wallet and DuitNow QR codes are widely accepted. Cash (ringgit) remains useful for food courts, smaller stalls, and night markets. A rough rule: bring RM100–200 in cash, use card or e-wallet for larger purchases.

Staying in JB to Make the Most of It

The shopping day from Singapore is realistic, but an overnight stay unlocks the evening food scene that most day-trippers miss. Pelangi Capsule Hostel in Taman Pelangi offers capsule pods at RM35/night — a 10-minute Grab from KSL City, SKS City Mall, and the Taman Pelangi night market. Book direct here — no OTA fees, 24/7 self check-in.