KUALA LUMPUR: Creativity is stretched to the limit for the Chinese New Year – items on sale include wishes for the new year printed on men's underwear.
The greetings are printed at the back or front of the undergarments.
The Under Shop franchiser Raymond Low, who operates at the Sungei Wang Plaza, said this was the second year the briefs were sold due to the tremendously encouraging response last year.
“They have been on display for about three weeks and we make about 30 sales each day,” he said yesterday.
Some 500 boxes of the underwear were ordered this year, compared to the 300 sold last year.
The underwear, under the Diesel brand, comes in two colours – yellow in front and red behind or vice-versa.
“There are two pairs of underwear in each box and some men wear it on the first and second day of Chinese New Year for good luck,” he said.
“This year we have included socks as well and they come with two character greetings,” he said, adding that he had ordered 200 pairs.
Elsewhere, preparations to usher in the Year of the Monkey are in full swing.
Many people are seen buying jade, qipao (cheongsam), decoration items, clothes, toys, mandarin oranges and cookies.
“Business is about the same every year as people shop more for drinks, hampers and cookies in the weeks before the New Year,” said Alex Ma who owns a sundry shop in Taman Desa Petaling.
Proprietor of Jade House in Sungei Wang Plaza Crystal Sin said: “Business has increased by about 30% during the last three weeks. It’s even better compared to last year.”
“Some people go for the rugged look and buy , necklaces with pendants while older women prefer bangles,” she said.
Recruitment consultant, Long Ng Uy En, 23, said he bought clothes, shoes, gifts and electronic gadgets to take back to Australia today.
Long Feng Ge Enterprise owner, S.K. Yeong, said: “Ankle-length qipaos are popular. They are bought by people of all races, not just the Chinese.”
At TMC Supermarket in Bangsar, customers were seen with trolleys packed with Chinese New Year goodies for the traditional reunion dinner and for gifts during visits.
“For me, mandarin oranges are compulsory. I have bought about 20 cartons,” said housewife, S.L. Yeunh, 48.
Did you find this article insightful?
