Shoppers buying festive treats at the Lorong TAR bazaar in Kuala Lumpur. – Photos: AZMAN GHANI/The Star
LORONG Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) traders are feeling good about business prospects at the annual Hari Raya Aidilfitri bazaar.
They told StarMetro that they were hopeful of turning a handsome profit after a few years of slow sales due to the pandemic.
Masnawi Jukiadi, 62, and his wife Yanti Shaliman, 58, who sell headscarves, forked out RM50,000 to buy stock.
“Unlike last year where we were more cautious about spending on stock, this time we are optimistic about sales,” he said, adding the absence of Covid-19 restrictions this year was a boon.
Shahrin Hashimi, 20, said his boss had doubled his capital this year.
His stall, which sells popular treats such as pineapple tarts, biskut makmur and semperit, was offering a special deal.
“One container is priced RM30 but you can buy three for RM75,” he said.
Nurul Farhana Abdul Shukor, 34, who sells duit raya packets, however, lamented on the 20% increase in printing costs.
“I spent RM40,000 but I am confident of making good sales and plan to buy more stock,” she said.
Masnawi (left) is optimistic of turning a handsome profit this year.
Siti Noorikha Mahbob, 40, set aside RM100,000 to sell rendang, ketupat and lemang at the bazaar.
“I am banking on the office crowd. My customers are not just Muslims, I have non-Malay regulars too,” she said.
She was happy that no metal fences were placed around the bazaar, making the shopping experience better for customers.
In 2021, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) placed fences around the bazaar to regulate foot traffic.
Last year, DBKL placed the fences but removed them after complaints from traders and customers.
Father-of-three Azwan Ishak, 41, and his wife were spotted buying a baju melayu for their eight-year-old son.
“We are doing our Hari Raya shopping early to avoid the crowd. Our budget is around RM150 to RM200.
“We are definitely feeling the pinch as we recently bought uniforms for the new school session.”
DBKL, in a statement, said the bazaar will run until April 21, from 10am to midnight, daily.
From the second week of Ramadan, traders will be allowed to operate until 2am in anticipation of more late-night shoppers.
There are 216 stalls at the bazaar with 152 selling clothes, personal accessories (18), home decor (31) and dry food (15).
