THE month of Ramadan is the time of the year when small business entrepreneurs in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, fondly known as Jalan TAR, expect to make most from sales of clothes and food items.

The bazaar, located strategically at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, comes alive during the holy month as thousands throng the street to get their Raya shopping done.

Although in the past, traders have their cash registers ringing ceaselessly, many are feeling the pinch this year as commodity prices rise.

There has been nothing but disappointment for some traders who claimed to have invested a huge sum into their business.

A baju melayu trader who went by the name Faizal said that business last year was more profitable than this year, citing that people are more careful when it comes to spending this time around.

“Last year, I made good profit and managed to clear my stocks. People were buying two to three outfits but this year, I can’t recall selling two sets of baju melayu to the same person,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Due to poor response, some traders have decided to lower the cost of their products to fend of competition and attract more customers.

Aitul Mohd Isa, 57, has been selling homemade cookies at Jalan TAR since 2004. She said she had to lower her selling price in order to make money.

 “When I started this business back in 2004, there were very few traders selling cookies but today, there are number of traders doing the same business.

“So, in order to compete and attract more customers to my stall, I had to lower my selling price,” said Aitul.

Mohamad Nazmin Bin Rostam, another trader who sells baju Melayu, also echoed Aitul’s view and said he had lowered his asking prices to get the sales going.

“I had to lower the rate and give promotional pricing to my customers to get daily sales. If I had not given such promotion rates, sales would be pretty bad then,” he said.

But business owners aren’t the only ones feeling the pinch from rising prices.

Shoppers have become increasingly price sensitive this year, and are cutting back on Raya treats.

A customer, who wanted to be known only as Nurhazana, said that she only came to get clothes for her kids and some cookies for Raya.

“Some cookies and clothes for my kids are all that I need here. My husband and I will adjust with what we have. I feel that things here are pricey compared to last year, but we still can bargain and get them at a good price. That is one way to be thriftier,” she said.

Despite slow business for other traders, one business that seems to be thriving in Jalan TAR is tudung. With its new trend and styles, patrons want to get their hands on the latest collection of headscarves.

The “Pucci” hijabs made of satin fabric and the chiffon-made hijabs are the most sought after headscarves in Jalan TAR this year.

Priced from RM10 to RM100, these headscarves are selling like hot cakes. A salesperson from Gallery Pucci Wholesale Emporium told The Malaysian Insight that sales for this year Raya is overwhelming.

“Sales this year is very good. We have a lot of customers purchasing the ‘pucci’ hijab because it’s reasonable, beautifully designed and comfortable when used,” the salesperson said.

During the last week of Ramadan, traders and business owners in Jalan TAR will be extending their operating hours to accommodate last-minute shoppers.

But even as they remain optimistic that last-minute shoppers will help boost their earnings, most are resigned to the fact it will be a disappointing year. – June 23, 2017.