Speedy Video is closing all 14 outlets in Malaysia
Speedy Video is closing all of its outlets in Malaysia
Image adapted from: Muhammad Imran & @1Obefiend
Before there was Netflix, Speedy Video was the go-to spot for many Malaysians trying to get their hands on the latest movie releases on VCDs and DVDs. It was also a bonus that they carried CDs as well, so those who wanted to keep up with the latest releases from pop singers and rock bands before the digital age could get their pop culture fix all in one go.
They’ve stood strong compared to other video stores that have shuttered one after another over the years in Malaysia, proving that they are more than a childhood memory of many 90’s kids, even with plenty of streaming sites now available online.
But COVID-19 has dealt a fatal blow to this retail chain, as the Movement Control Order (MCO) temporarily shut down non-essential businesses such as Speedy Video. And it is now joining the list of brick-and-mortar stores that we will not see in the near future, as it prepares to close its 14 remaining outlets in Malaysia with massive sales to mark the end of an era.
14 Speedy Video outlets to close with massive sales
The announcement of the closure of Speedy Video’s outlets was made on its official Facebook page on 13th June 2020, and it has since garnered over 900 shares from Malaysians who were sad to see their trusty video store go.
Speedy Video also shared in its post the locations of all 14 remaining outlets in malls around Malaysia that will soon shut down:
- Ekocheras Mall
- Ampang Point
- Aeon Cheras Selatan
- Aeon Rawang
- Aeon Bukit Tinggi
- IOI City Mall
- Bandar Utama Movie Magic
- Subang Parade
- Aeon Alpha Angle
- Aeon Bandaraya Melaka
- Mid Valley South Key
- Aeon Tebrau
- Star Parade
- Aeon Seremban 2
These stores will see massive closing sales for their collection of movies and music. You can look forward to bundle deals and discounts on Blu-rays – a bundle of 7 old movie titles will be going for RM35 and there will be 20% off new releases – as well as Buy 1 Free 1 deals on new DVD titles and 20% off CDs. You can check out the full list of promotions available at Speedy outlets here.
Lines spotted at Speedy Video outlets
Even though the exact closure dates are yet to be officially announced by Speedy Video Distributors, Malaysians were quick to drop by their nearest Speedy Video outlets to try to get the best deals.
Twitter user @1Obefiend shared a picture he took at the Speedy Video outlet in Bandar Utama, which showed a snaking line in front of it. Both old and young customers alike were spotted practicing social distancing and wearing masks while waiting to enter the store.
Netizens mourn the loss of their favourite video store
And since Speedy Video has been around since 1989, it’s no surprise that many people are already showing up to their nearest Speedy Video branch to show their support for it one last time. Online, many netizens also shared their favourite memories of the store.
A tweet from netizen @KhairulAqmal showing screenshots of Speedy Video’s Facebook post, together with a picture of a storefront, has gotten an impressive 10,600 likes and the same number of retweets at the time of writing.
Image credit: @KhairulAqmal
In a response to the viral post, Twitter user @mizanpilus_ even gave a much-needed shoutout to the “legendary” Speedy Video Distributor’s opening of a golden running man that can be seen at the beginning of its home media releases.
Image adapted from: @mizanpilus_
And showing just how much Malaysians have relied on Speedy, Twitter user @TheRushality shared photos of her impressive collection of CDs and DVDs that she got from the store.
Image adapted from: @TheRushality
Netizen @babybinbaik also gave a heartfelt tribute to the store, and shared his childhood memories with it that many of us can relate to. He tweeted, “RIP Speedy Video. [heartbroken emoji] As a teenager, you were my favourite shop in the world. I would beg my parents to let me visit, and I bought my first CDs and VCDs at the Parkson Seremban branch. My earliest CDs are from Speedy and they’re at least 15 years old now. [heart emoji] You did amazing.”
Image adapted from: @babybinbaik
Speedy Video is closing all remaining outlets in Malaysia
It’s not easy to say goodbye to something that many of us grew up with. This includes Speedy Video, which is where many of us got easy access to local and international movies and CDs before the days of online streaming. It serves as an important reminder to lend a hand to small and local businesses whenever we can around us during MCO.
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