KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Although online shopping is increasingly becoming the public’s choice, especially for youths, the ‘Little India’ in four states remains the convergance point for Hindus to get their supplies when preparing for Deepavali.
A Bernama survey at Little India in Brickfields today found the area to be lively with various decorations evoking the spirit of the Festival of Lights which falls on this Sunday (November 13).
Trader T. Vimalraj, 24, said although the number of visitors to the business area has dropped, he still had loyal customers coming to his shop.
“There has a drop in my sales this year. Last year, I would restock my supply of kuih and murukku everyday to meet demand,” he told Bernama.
In Penang, a Bernama survey along Jalan Kampung Benggali found shoppers looking for decorative items besides clothing and cookies.
Despite the festive air in these shopping areas, traders said business has not been as good as last year, with most attributing 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 nonetheless grateful to have regular customers who still do their Deepavali shopping at his establishment.
“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, Hindus crowded the Little India at Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang, to do their last-minute Deepavali shopping.
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 annually to shop for their Deepavali needs.
“We also do our shopping in other areas of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to get goods at a reasonable price,” he said.
In Negeri Sembilan, a Bernama survey found the Little India along Jalan Yam Tuan to be lively, with traders selling various items for the Deepavali celebration, not just food and clothing but also jewellery and flowers.
Trader S. Nagaranee, 62, from Rasah, said it had been a routine for her husband and herself 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,” she said.
— Bernama
