Festive buzz: Kompleks PKNS in Shah Alam is a popular shopping spot among those preparing for Hari Raya Aidilfitri. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
HARI Raya Aidilfitri shopping frenzy is present as Klang Valley folk are busy making their last-minute preparations for the coming festival.
On weekends, commercial hotspots like Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) in Kuala Lumpur and those in Selangor such as Bangi Sentral, Bandar Baru Bangi along with Kompleks PKNS Shah Alam are bustling with shoppers.
At Jalan TAR, Farhan Abd Samad, 38, from Rawang said he set aside RM500 for buying traditional outfits for his three children.
Ashraf (right) and friend Wan Ahmad Faisal Wan Muhd Saleh checking out the ‘kopiah’ being sold at the Jalan TAR bazaar.
He pointed out that he had a lot less to spend on Hari Raya last year because school reopened a month before.
“I am glad Hari Raya does not coincide with the school opening again, which gives me more cash to spend.
“However, this has been offset somewhat by the higher prices of things at Ramadan bazaars this year,” he said.
Father-of-one Ashraf Mustafa, 40, from Setapak said he spent over RM700 on baju raya for himself and family.
Shoppers is seen make a preparation for Hari Raya celebration at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman on March 22 during weekend to avoid last minute rush.-AZMAN GHANI/The Star
“Compared to last year, there is not much difference in terms of prices of attire this year,” he said.
“However, I decided to shop physically because of a bad experience with online shopping last year, where the outfit did not match what was advertised,” he said.
Traders at Jalan TAR and the Aidilfitri bazaar along Lorong TAR told StarMetro that sales were encouraging.
Biscuit seller Noraniza Nazirman, 32, from Wangsa Maju said she noticed more people were doing their shopping earlier this year.
“I had more customers than usual in the first two weeks of Ramadan, compared to previous years.
Mastura (middle) attending to shoppers at her outlet in Jalan TAR.
“This is my fourth time operating in Jalan TAR,” said the mother of two, who runs the business with her husband.
Stall assistant Afiq Irfan Jamhuri, 26, who works at the Aidilfitri bazaar selling kurta, said two-thirds of the stock were sold within the first three weeks of Ramadan.
“Our shop is online-based only. But we have been running a physical stall during Ramadan for the past three years,” he said.
“Last year, we only had two types of kurta but this year, we are selling five.
“We took a risk and it paid off. We did not expect business to be this good,” he said.
Noraniza says many customers have started their Raya shopping earlier. — Photos: FAIHAN GHANI, IZZRAFIQ ALIAS and AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
However, Mastura Abdul Rashid, 39, a worker at a brick-and-mortar shop selling accessories and headscarves, said there was a slight drop in sales from walk-in customers.
“The tents from the bazaar, erected in front of the shops, are keeping customers away,” she said.
“However, we received many bulk orders from neighbouring countries, which made up for the local decline,” she added.
At Bangi Sentral, shoppers had to jostle for space as people from within and outside Klang Valley flocked to the commercial hub.
Sarlan Sahrun, 45, who travelled from Kuantan, Pahang, said this was not his first time shopping for Hari Raya at the Bangi shopping centre.
“There are many shops here, offering endless choices at good prices,” he said.
Afiq says two-thirds of the shop’s stock have been sold within three weeks of Ramadan.
Sarlan said his family preferred physical shopping over buying online as they could try the outfits before making a purchase.
“They also want to feel the fabric and inspect the stitching, which are details you cannot experience through the screen,” he pointed out.
Another shopper, Norhana Isman, 46, came all the way from Tanjung Sepat to shop at Bangi Sentral.
She said she and her family would be dressed in purplish- red or lilac outfits for Hari Raya this year.
Trader Syed Mohd Nooraidzat said he expected more shoppers in the coming days closer to Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“Many people will come to do their last-minute shopping and there will be a surge in footfall then,” he said.
At Kompleks PKNS, newlyweds Mohd Ridzuan, 27, and wife Amanina Athilah, 24, were shopping for Hari Raya together for the first time.
Mohd Ridzuan said his budget doubled to RM2,000 after he got married recently.
Increased traffic observed on major roads in Kuala Lumpur as scores of city folk go out to shop for Hari Raya preparations.
“I want to ensure that my wife has everything she needs for the celebration,” he said, adding they came looking for traditional clothes, home accessories and dry foodstuff.
Shah Alam resident Muhd Halim Ahmad Sofian, 33, said he chose to shop at the complex because it was near his home.
“Last year I went to Jalan TAR but the traffic congestion made it a hassle,” he said.
“The prices at Kompleks PKNS are not too bad.
“I bought a baju melayu and buttons for RM169 and RM20, respectively.”
A trader who gave his name only as Muhammad said he still preferred physical shopping.
“This is to avoid problems like getting the wrong size or counterfeit products from buying online,” he said.
