HOME-DELIVERY services, which boomed during the nationwide movement-control order (MCO) in March to curb the spread of Covid-19, are reporting a decline in demand for their services.

Several business operators who delivered during MCO said demand has dropped drastically during the recovery MCO phase, impacting their overall business. 

Nevertheless, they are expecting better business because of the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Selangor. 

Everfresh Cameron Sdn Bhd, a company delivering fresh vegetables, which usually supplies restaurants, said it took the opportunity presented by the MCO to start home-delivery services. 

A spokesman for the company, who wanted to be known as Lau, said it was averaging 300 to 400 deliveries per day during the MCO but said demand fell to just five some two weeks back. 

“We had around 300 to 400 orders per day back then but in the past week, we had about five to 10 orders per day,” he said. 

Lau cited patrons resuming their daily lifestyles and unscheduled delivery timings as reasons for drop in demands. 

“During MCO, people were at home only. Now many have resumed work and are hardly at home when we do deliveries. 

“Also, now since the restriction has relaxed, many are heading to markets and supermarkets to get their goods.” 

However, with the recent increase in Covid-19 cases, orders are slowly picking up again.

But the trend might be temporary as people only opt for such services whenever there’s a spike in cases, Lau said.

“Recently, as the cases increase, delivery orders are also increasing.”

This is not only in the red zone but overall. 

“But I think this is a temporary trend because people are worried about the spike in recent cases,” he said, adding that people might go back to their routine once the numbers drop.

Malaysia imposed its first lockdown on March 18, termed as the MCO. 

The government then eased its restriction on May 4 under a conditional MCO, imposed until June 9. 

Thereafter, the nation moved towards RMCO, which was supposed to end on August 31. However, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin extended it until year-end. 

However, since a recent spike in cases forced Putrajaya to impose the conditional MCO in parts of Selangor, Kedah and Sabah in a move to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Mohd Hafiz Rozali, 20, from Skudai, Johor, turne dot home-delivery services during the MCO to help the family’s seafood business.

But demand dropped after the government eased its restriction, he said. 

“I used to get about 40 orders daily during MCO from Senai, Kulai, Pasir Gudang and Ulu Tiram.

“Now, I only get about 10 orders daily and only from Kulai and Ulu Tiram,” he said. 

Hafiz, whose supplier is his mother, a seafood merchant at a wet market in Skudai, said customers are flocking to her stall instead of having deliveries. 

Hafiz will continue doing deliveries despite the decrease in orders, hoping people would adapt to the new and safer method of purchasing goods. 

“People need to understand that the virus threat is still out there and instead of going to crowded places, they can consider having goods delivered to their doorstep.” 

S. Vicknes, from Nilai, Negri Sembilan, who started seafood delivery services during MCO after mounting losses from his transportation business, said he stopped the services after orders declined. 

Vicknes said he was not getting enough daily orders and that he couldn’t cover the operations cost, prompting him to quit deliveries. 

He was using his lorry to make deliveries. 

“It has been nearly two months since I stopped the delivery services. 

“I used to get about 50 orders daily, mostly bulk orders but before I stopped, I was only getting five orders and the quantity was less. 

“I couldn’t see profit from it because I take fresh products and had to deliver them on the day. I couldn’t cover my cost.” 

Vicknes, who has five lorries, resumed his transport business as most of his clients are operating again. 

Despite quitting the delivery services, Vicknes is looking at venturing into the seafood delivery business. 

“So, I might start on a smaller scale, maybe target a particular locality but there must be demand for such services. 

“I should add variety, not just stop at seafood but add other items to make it more successful.” – October 13, 2020.