KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Despite some concerns about the local
economy, Malaysians, particularly urban dwellers, have shown that
they are not perturbed over any apprehension.
During the recent year-end school holiday, people contributed to Malaysian
business life with their holiday shopping.
Last December, a mega-shopping complex opened its doors to the public one
week before Christmas. Thousands of shoppers have since thronged this shopping
complex, located in the posh neighbourhood of Anggun, Country Homes in Rawang,
near here.
(This shopping complex is part of a mega department store chain that have
other shopping complexes natiowide).
Who says Malaysians lack prosperity?
Of course, Christmas and the coming Chinese New Year celebrations help,
not to mention the on-sale atmosphere that continues to attract shoppers.
According to economists, consumer spending, particularly during a good
holiday shopping season, can boost the economy of a country.
CONSUMER ACTIVITY
The first week of January also saw a department store at Jalan
Tuanku Abdul Rahman holding its Card Days event.
Massive traffic congestion happened along the routes going to the location,
as the store is located at a strategic junction along the favourite
shopping area near Jalan Bunus here.
When this writer arrived, a huge crowd was already waiting, an hour before
the store would open for business at 10am.
"This consumer activity is welcome news for business. Strong consumer
spending during the holiday season is good (for business) in 2012," commented a
sales supervisor at the department store.
"By spending money, Malaysians are doing their part to boost the economy,"
he said, adding that holiday shopping has contributed to the rise in sales.
Experts on economy also say the holiday shopping season appears to be giving
the Malaysian economy a strong boost.
CHEAPER AND CHEAPER
According to the laws of physics, ''what goes up must come down''.
"(But) when the price goes down, it is very comforting to see that it goes
down further," said shopper Anna Lim, an accounts manager with a bank here.
Lim is among the thousands of shoppers that thronged the department store
during the Card Days, when prices are slashed.
For example, Lim said the price of a man''s T-shirt, usually RM120, was
offered at 50 per cent discount, and then discounted another 50 per cent, so the
final price was only RM30.
A RM90 knockdown from the usual price is more than a bargain, she
said.
For Lim and other shoppers who celebrate the Chinese New Year, shopping
is an important event before the festival arrives.
"We need to get the preparations ready. We shop for food, decorations,
clothes and all the necessary things that we think we need to usher in the
Chinese New Year," she added.
GETTING GREAT VALUE
But how can profit be obtained when selling an item at a low price?
"We rely on sales volume. The more items sold, the more business (money)
that will roll in," said a manager at the store who wants to be known as Ramlie.
According to Ramlie, there are a few ways to help boost sales regardless
of the economic situation.
"No matter what state the economy is in, people love to feel like they are
getting great value at a low price. Try putting together a package of products
or services for an especially low price.
"Most businesses depend on price discounts in order to increase sales
revenue.
"We need to reinvent our business by changing the products or services
offered, and by exploiting market vulnerabilities by selling items
cheaper than our competitors," he said.
-- BERNAMA
ZUL INE RON
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