Most businesses banking on last-minute shoppers
Published on: Sunday, July 27, 2014
Kota Kinabalu: Businesses - especially outlets selling textiles and garments here - are not enjoying brisk sales even with Hari Raya around the bend.Many of the traders had been expecting to register better sales during the fasting month when Muslims buy ready made "baju kurung" and "baju Melayu". Nonetheless, many attributed the low profits to stiff competition with shopping malls and hypermarkets that are selling cheaper Raya clothing while some claimed that the high prices of essential items are also affecting the purchasing power of consumers, especially Muslims.
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Business, thus far, has been a far cry from the heydays in 2012 and 2011 when they enjoyed lucrative profits. The Manager of Modern Bazaar at Sinsuran, Ramli Mustafa said they are still placing high hopes that the last two days before the celebration of Raya would see better sales."For the first three weeks of Ramadan, our sales were not as good as in 2012."We expect profits would be low because consumers especially Muslims seem to budget their spending for the upcoming Raya. Also, prices of goods have gone up along with monthly rentals, affecting the consumers' spending and purchasing power," he said.
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The shop has been operating since 2007.Nonetheless, Ramili is confident he will break even, never mind profits. "We are counting on Muslims' last minute shopping on Saturday and Sunday to reap better sales this month.
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Mazuin Exclusive manager Abbas Mohamad said the shop is also experiencing low sales due to price wars, particularly that offered at other textile shops and hypermarkets here that are selling similar products."Our best sales were in 2011 and 2012Éas most of our items were sold at that time and my boss was very satisfied. However, we noticed our sales was not as brisk as in the past where our profit is little," he said. Abbas said the number of illegal immigrants and foreigners who had been arrested and deported to their countries of origin also meant reduced sales at the shop.On the contrary, BTC Textile Emporium Managing Director Datuk Abdul Kadir M.E. Sikkandar said he is satisfied with sales this Ramadan, having achieved its target three to four days ago. He said the shop is selling Raya clothing, curtains, "songkok", Muslim scarves and other essential items at medium range of pricing.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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