Bazaar traders report lower sales as customers tighten belts

 

The crowd is still there at Ramadan bazaars but people are more careful with their money. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: 

Ramadan bazaar traders report lower sales this year, saying customers are buying less even though crowd numbers have stayed the same.

A murtabak vendor from Kelana Jaya, known only as Razli, said people were spending more cautiously, especially with schools having just started during Ramadan.

“We have maintained our prices to prioritise the customers, despite the ingredients getting more expensive.

“I previously sold smoked chicken (ayam tempayan) but switched to murtabak as it was too costly and customers prefer more affordable food,” he told FMT.

A murtabak vendor, known only as Razli, said he previously sold smoked chicken (ayam tempayan) but switched to murtabak as customers prefer more affordable food.

Another murtabak vendor known only as Fikri, who has been at the Jalan Telawi Bazaar since 2016, also said sales are “average” but rising operational costs have forced him to increase prices from RM4 to RM5.

“Last year, I could still sell murtabak for RM4 each, but this year, I had to raise the price to RM5 because chicken and beef prices are increasing, and labour costs are also high,” he said.

Adal, who runs a family satay and tepung pelita business, said he maintained his prices but admitted sales had slowed down this year.

“The price of satay has stayed the same but costs have definitely gone up. However, if I raise my prices customers will complain, and I’m already facing tough competition here,” he said.

Air bandung seller Tasa Emaliza said despite the rising costs, she remains committed to keeping her drinks affordable for all.

“Even though the cost of ingredients like milk has increased, I still sell at a low price so that everyone can afford it.

“As vendors, we definitely feel the impact of rising costs, but we have to keep prices reasonable for our customers.”

She said there was also a spike in sales after a viral review by influencer Jason Chen, who helped attract more customers to her stall.

A bazaar customer known only as Alicia (second from right) said social media has sensationalised going to Ramadan bazaars but the prices were increasing.

A customer known only as Alicia, who visited the Kelana Jaya bazaar with her friends, said social media had sensationalised going to Ramadan bazaars but the prices were getting higher.

“I think it has been getting very expensive, not just this year but the past few years. Getting a drink now is like RM5 minimum,” she told FMT.

Another visitor known only as Nabil said while prices for some items such as kuih had remained stable, there had been a significant increase in the cost of meat-based dishes. - FMT