New year decor: Lu showing monkey-themed wall ornaments at her shop in George Town.
GEORGE TOWN: As the Year of the Monkey swings in, ornaments and decorative items featuring the animal are flying off the shelves.
The primate not surprisingly is the flavour of the moment for those ushering in the Lunar New Year, which sees the Goat giving way to the Monkey – part of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
Wholesaler and retailer Wan Lee Brothers Sdn Bhd owner Lu Siew Kheng, 60, said her shop had sold almost all its stock of 12,000 pieces of 10 different decorative items featuring the monkey motif since the last week of December.
“Other things such as banners and door and wall posters are made to look very cute this year, which adds to their appeal.
“The craftsmen in China are very clever in making them attractive,” Lu said at her shop in Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong here.
She said she did not plan to order new stock because they would not arrive in time for the spring festival which begins on Feb 8.
Trader Tan Lean Hong, 37, has sold more than 100 Chinese New Year decor items and monkey soft toys at his stall at the Chowrasta Market here since late last month.
He, however, said business was slower than the same period last year due to the current economic situation.
Housewife Sally Lim, 48, was thrilled to get the latest door decorations with the monkey image.
“My son and husband were born in the Year of the Monkey, so it’s a really special and meaningful occasion for us,” she said.
An engineer, who only wanted to be known as Loh, 35, said he planned to get some of the festive bric-a-brac but hoped the prices would come down soon.
“Plus, I am waiting for my Chinese New Year bonus before I get anything,” he added.
Retiree Chua Suat Choo, 59, opted for the more general decorative pieces despite being born in the Year of the Monkey because: “I want to be able to reuse the items in future.”
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