Some petty traders have decided to brace for bad weather and continue their businesses as they have no other means of income, while others have given up and are looking for other job opportunities.
Some sellers forced to close shop, others shift focus online to boost business
THREE petty traders in Taman Scientex, Pasir Gudang, have closed shop after being unable to cope with the lack of customers during the ongoing monsoon season.
Taman Scientex Petty Traders Association chairman Kamaruzaman Sheikh Ahmad said these traders decided not to renew their business licences and were looking for other sources of income.
“We are quite sad with what they are going through, but I hope they can find success and better opportunities in the future.
“This is something that is beyond our power.
“What we can hope for is to work harder to expand our market beyond Pasir Gudang, especially during this period of uncertain weather,” he said when contacted.
Kamaruzaman added that although there was a significant drop in footfall, especially during bad weather, some traders were still able to cope as they shifted their focus to online marketing and deliveries.
“Out of the three traders that have closed shop, one sold fruits while the other two sold food.
“They might have been facing some challenges in promoting themselves online as competition is quite stiff,” he said, adding that 59 petty traders remained in operation in Taman Scientex.
Semarak Bandar Baru Uda Petty Traders Association secretary Nur Shahida Adnan said its group of traders in Johor Baru faced a similar situation.
“The regular downpour in the city has caused the business of 30 petty traders to drop.
“We can’t even depend on food delivery because there are no orders coming in during rainy days.
“Even getting at least three orders a day is hard,” she said, adding that the association had decided to beef up online promotions through social media.
Nur Shahida said beverage stalls were the worst affected, as cold drinks didn’t sell well during cold weather.
“We started experiencing a slowdown at the start of the monsoon season in mid-November last year until recently, when the weather started to improve.
“There are also those who have resorted to hiring their own food runners just so the goods that they have cooked or offered for sale that day do not end up being wasted,” she added.
Johor Baru Petty Traders and Small Business Owners Association secretary Mohammad Salezan Mohd Salleh said six of its members were victims during the recent flood in early January.
“Their stalls were not affected, but their houses were inundated, particularly those living in Kangkar Tebrau.
“Since all of them are protected under our association, we have given them cash aid worth RM300 each in hopes of helping them to recover and restart their businesses,” he said.
Asked about their preparations for the coming “fourth wave” of the northeast monsoon, Mohammad Salezan said members had been advised to stay away from flood-prone areas and secure their belongings during heavy rain.
