JOHOR BARU: Cookie traders here have started preparing for the coming Ramadan, which they hope will be better than last year when sales dropped by nearly 70%.
The huge drop was reportedly due to the closure of the border with Singapore, preventing Singaporeans from coming over for their Hari Raya Aidilfitri shopping, of which cookies were their “must buy” item.
Despite not knowing for sure whether the border would reopen in time, Shuhaila Nor Sham Mohd Shamshi said she was hopeful that sales would improve.
“Our sales dropped by about 70% last year but we were still able to sell all our cookies by focusing on using online platforms.
“Although I know that business would not be as great as it was before the pandemic, I believe that it will at least be better than last year as we are able to keep our shops open during Ramadan this time around, ” said the 33-year-old who owns a cookie shop in a mall popular among Singaporeans.
This year’s Ramadan is expected to start on April 13.
Shuhaila said prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the mall would usually be packed mostly with Singaporeans about two weeks before Hari Raya.
“In those days, we used to have to refill our stock about four times a day. It is surely a sight that all business owners here miss.
“It will be different this year but so far things seem promising. I have started receiving some orders from my customers and that makes me hopeful, ” she said.
Shuhaila added that her experience in using online platforms last year would also help her better prepare for the large orders she expects to receive during the coming fasting month.
Kamaluddin Md Rais, meanwhile, said he started supplying more cookies to Singapore outside of the fasting month to make up for losses suffered due to the border closure.
“We used to only supply cookies to Singapore during festive seasons but since last year, we have been sending cookies about once a month.
“With Ramadan coming, we will be increasing the frequency to at least once a week, ” said the 65-year-old entrepreneur, who owns a cookie bakery and two shops.
Kamaluddin said apart from supplying cookies to Singapore, he also depends on online sales to keep his business afloat.
“We have been using online platforms for years before the pandemic but it was only last year that we began to really focus on reaching out to more people.
“We have since been getting customers from all over the country, including from Penang and Melaka, ” he said.
An assistant manager of a beverage stall in the same mall, Mohd Nasir Salleh, 39, said he expects business to improve slightly this year.
“Last year, customers were only allowed takeaways but thankfully this year, we are allowed to remain open and patrons can dine in.
“That makes a huge difference for us, especially during the fasting month as people enjoy breaking their fast in stalls after checking out food at the Ramadan bazaar, ” he said.
Source : https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/04/05/cookie-sellers-hope-sales-dont-crumble