| Azlan Othman |
LOCAL supermarkets are fervently hoping that yesterday’s government pay day will help boost their lacklustre Hari Raya sales.
Cheong Hoy Loon, the General Manager of Utama Grand Superstore Sdn Bhd, at the Mall in Gadong, told the Bulletin that business has been a bit slow this year.
“Bruneians tend to cross the border to Miri to do their festive shopping, because of the favourable exchange rates of around RM2.9 to BND1. Pay day, which began yesterday, will probably kick start the festive buying here,” he said.
“We are expecting a surge in sales for festive food and drinks, until the eve of Hari Raya, and will try our best to do a pricing strategy. We sell Yeo’s canned drinks cheaply – at BND8.25 per carton – by getting the suppliers to give us a cheaper price, although the profit margin is less.
“Nowadays customers are quite savvy, and usually compare prices first before they buy anything. That’s why the pricing is such an important strategy for us. But we have also extended our operating hours until 11pm, starting yesterday, which is an addition of another half-hour. This will go on until the eve of Hari Raya, to give customers more time to shop.
Cheong Hoy Loon with officers from the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE). Also seen are Dr Hajah May Faezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin (2nd left), the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Economy and Finance) at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Haji Abdul Amin bin Haji Hashim (1st left), the Acting Director-General of JPKE
Cheong Hoy Loon, the General Manager of Utama Grand Superstore Sdn Bhd, speaking to the media. – PHOTOS: AZLAN OTHMAN
“We also try to get across to most our local suppliers, that if their cost is lower, then our cost is cheaper. We don’t import, but instead buy goods from local suppliers.”
Cheong also gave the assurance that there would be enough poultry meat and eggs for the festivities, based on the information from their suppliers.
Last year, there was a shortage of poultry and eggs during the Hari Raya season.
Dairy products for festive baking are also in adequate supply, such as Golden Churn Butter, which is delivered from the neighbouring town of Miri.
Cheong also assured that items such as chocolates are cheaper in Brunei Darussalam than in other countries, adding that customers from Miri like to come to the Sultanate to buy these imported items.
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