Business owners brace for slowdown amid CMCO

PETALING JAYA: Business owners here are prepared for the “long ride” of the conditional movement control order which has been extended.

Despite anticipating slower business during the Deepavali period and into December, many said they were getting used to the current climate.

Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin, vice-president of the Malaysian Retailers Association, said there had been a decline in holiday shopping during the Hari Raya celebrations amid the MCO in May and expects more of the same for Deepavali, which will be celebrated under the conditional MCO.“During Hari Raya, there was an 80% drop in sales and I think the same will happen for Deepavali because of the ban on cross-district travel.

“Typically, people would travel out to our stores in Masjid India and Klang for Deepavali shopping but since they cannot, we won’t be expecting the same kind of mood, ” said Ameer, who is the managing director of Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd.

He said malls were also expecting fewer visitors as people stayed home because of restrictions and fear of infection.

“We hope things will pick up later, ” he said.

However, the extended conditional MCO has been worrisome for coffee shops and restaurants.

Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association president Datuk Ho Su Mong said business owners had turned to food delivery services to make up for fewer in-dining patrons.

“People are fearful because of the high number of cases. They are afraid to come out or even have their food delivered, ” he said.

Although gyms can stay open, gym operator Noel Chelliah said owners like him had to innovate and evolve in order to keep going.

“I don’t think things will be returning to normal anytime soon but if we do things right, we’re hoping for our monthly revenue to recover by mid-2021, ” he said.

When the gym reopened in June after the initial MCO, Noel imposed strict rules to maintain high standards of hygiene and sanitisation to minimise the risk of infections.

However, that also meant limiting the number of participants at classes which in turn restricted signing up more members.

He said his gym experienced a significant drop in membership but he has managed to retain and bring in new members by offering virtual classes.

“People are open to it now and while that is picking up, we are still not close to where we used to be, ” he said.