MALAYSIA. Leading Malaysian pewterware specialist Royal Selangor is experiencing a strong post-pandemic recovery, supported by the opening of its outlet in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 this year.
Passenger traffic in KLIA T1 rose +9.9% to 30.1 million in the first half of 2025, coinciding with a recent RM30 million (US$7 million) upgrade. The new store has helped drive interest in Royal Selangor’s heritage-inspired collections as international travellers return, the company said.
Established in 1885 and known for its high-quality tableware and gift items, Royal Selangor operates at six airport locations across Malaysia: KLIA T1 and T2, Penang International Airport T1 and T2, Langkawi International Airport, and Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
The recovery of footfall and sales from key markets – particularly China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan – has boosted demand for Royal Selangor’s Straits Expression, Auspicious & Oriental, Classic Expressions and Four Gentlemen collections across its airport stores.
The British Museum collection has also resonated with travellers from these regional markets, highlighting the influence of brand reputation on purchase decisions, the company said.
The sales growth of the Be@rbrick line – a collaboration with Japanese brand Medicom Toy – points to rising demand for limited-edition collectibles.
Autumn/winter 2025 – a journey along the Silk Road
Royal Selangor will mark its 140th anniversary with a series of autumn/winter 2025 launches themed around the ancient Silk Road.
The main collection incorporates Apsara (celestial beings) motifs from the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, China – the starting point of the trade route – reflecting the blend of Indian, Central Asian and Chinese influences that shaped the region. Designed with a global audience in mind, the collection also aligns with preferences seen in key East Asian markets.
The autumn/winter line-up will include Malaysia, Warisan II (‘Legacy’), Sculptura 3 and Gasing (‘Spinning Top’), coinciding with the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
A further two collections, the Year of the Horse and Mahjong, will be introduced for the Chinese New Year season, alongside Savoy II, Keepsakes and Woodlands IV.
Limited-edition collaborations with Marvel, Star Wars and DC Comics will also feature in the seasonal releases.
Strengthening ESG efforts with sustainable design and operations
At a press conference at MATTA Fair on 4 September, Royal Selangor highlighted its ongoing focus on sustainability and circularity across its design studio, factory floor and travel retail outlets.
Drawing on its pewtersmithing heritage and production technology, the company continues to refine its processes to reduce waste.
Recent product lines, including coasters, travel caddies and photo frames, use eco-composite materials combining resin with sawdust from the company’s wood workshop. Frames, bases and boxes are created in the workshop, using wood sourced from PEFC-certified forests.
By 2023, Royal Selangor reported that 80% of its purchases consisted of biodegradable or recyclable materials, and 58% of active items were free from non-biodegradable content, up from 0% in March 2022. The pewter itself, a fully recyclable alloy, is routinely melted down and reused, including scraps, prototypes and discontinued items.
Packaging has also been redesigned to reduce environmental impact. Traditional foam and rigid boxes have been replaced with biodegradable honeycomb sleeves and single-colour-printed kraft boxes, saving an estimated 600kg of foam from landfill annually.
The company has invested in renewable energy at its Setapak, Kuala Lumpur headquarters, with nearly 3,000 solar panels generating power for daily operations and feeding excess energy back into the national grid. Diesel cauldrons have been replaced with electric alternatives, and international ecommerce shipments are managed through DHL GoGreen Plus, which tracks and reduces carbon emissions using Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
In June, the company hosted its first Eco Week, a two-week series of sustainability-focused events. The programme highlighted responsible material use and sustainable design, including collections such as Sculptura and Earth, which raise awareness of endangered species, alongside eco-composite tea caddies and coasters.
Eco Week underscores Royal Selangor’s belief that craftsmanship and creativity can foster meaningful conversations on environmental stewardship, the company said. ✈
