IPOH: Traders at Ramadan bazaars here are lamenting about the bad weather due to the rain over the past few days.
They said their business has been affected as fewer customers are visiting the popular bazaars.
Mixed rice seller Erinawati Ahmad, 56, said her sales have dropped by 20% compared to previous years.
“The first day of Ramadan was great because it wasn’t raining yet and we had a good crowd.
“I managed to sell out everything, which was about 100 packets.
“Things have slowed down since then because of the rain that always falls in the evening,” she said when met at the bazaar in Medan Gopeng yesterday.
Erinawati also said another possible factor for the slow sales is that people have not received their salaries.
“I think once they get paid and as Hari Raya approaches, more will come to the bazaar, which can boost sales.”
Fruit juice seller Akmal Zamzuri, 26, also complained about the weather.
“People tend to steer clear from iced drinks when it’s raining to avoid getting ill.
“If it is not raining, I can get about 200 customers,” he added.
Akmal said competition has been fierce as more people are selling beverages.
“I think there are too many drink sellers this year,” he added.
A. Gnana Grace, 50, who sells cakes and pani puri at a bazaar near the Rural Transformation Centre in Gopeng, said she is thankful that the place has a roof.
“Business has not been badly impacted because the bazaar is sheltered. Customers can shop without worrying about getting wet,” she said.
She said sales have been moderate so far and hopes that business will pick up by the third week of Ramadan.
“Some days, I made RM300. Sometimes I made over RM900 per day. Usually, the first two weeks are slow,” she added.
