KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Although online purchase is increasingly becoming the choice of the public, especially young people, the ‘Little India’ in the four states remains the focus of Hindus to coverge to get their supplies when making preparation for the Deepavali celebration.
A survey by Bernama at Little India in Brickfields here today found the area to be lively with various decorations that evoke the spirit of the Festival of Lights to be celebrated this Sunday.
A trader, T. Vimalraj, 24, said that although the number of visitors to the business area had dropped, he still had loyal customers coming to his shop.
“There’s a drop in my sales this year. Last year, I would restock my supply of kuih, murukku everyday to meet demand,” he told Bernama.
In PENANG, a Bernama survey at Jalan Kampung Benggali here found shoppers looking for decorative items, besides clothing and cookies.
Despite the air of festivity in these shopping areas, traders who were met said business was not as good as last year and most of them attributed the poor sales to competition from online traders.
Clothing dealer, R. Tamil Arisee, 64, said the emergence of online sales has somewhat affected his 15-year-old business, but is grateful to have regular customers who still do their Deepavali shopping at his shop.
“All the clothes sold at my premises are of high quality and imported from north and south India, as well as Pakistan, so customers who already know will definitely come here to buy,” he said.
In SELANGOR, the Hindus crowded the Little India at Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang, to do their last minute Deepavali shopping.
A private sector retiree, K. Sivakumar, 53, said he and his wife Luna Luwa, 52, who is of Bidayuh descent, choose to shop at the Little India at Jalan Tengku Kelana every year to shop for their Deepavali needs.
“We also do our shopping in other areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to get goods at a reasonable price,” he said.
In NEGERI SEMBILAN, a Bernama survey found the Little India on Jalan Yam Tuan here lively with traders selling various items for Deepavali celebration, not just food and clothing, but also jewellery and flowers.
Trader, S. Nagaranee, 62, from Rasah, Seremban said that it has been a routine for her and her husband to sell fresh flowers on the sidewalk in the area every time before Deepavali.
They have been doing so for the past 10 years.
“I only do business two days before Deepavali. We have regular customers and our flowers are always sold out,” he said.
