News by Vasantha Ganesan

A recent survey by the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) revealed that hotels in the states of Perak, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan are likely to be the fastest to recover. This is because these states rely heavily on the domestic market.

Unlike previous years, shopping for Chinese New Year did not boost sales in the first quarter while Hari Raya shopping is expected to be soft in the second quarter.

And what were people buying? Yes , it's toilet paper! Other items that have been flying off the shelves include canned food, instant noodles, frozen food like dumplings, pasta and mushrooms plus rice, flour and eggs are also selling fast.

Some of Malaysia's popular water parks include Sunway Lagoon, Lost World of Tambun, Legoland Water Park and Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast.

A spokesperson at Bonia Corp Bhd said sales of its Bonia branded goods have fallen significantly, and by as much as 77% in at least one location.

The Food Purveyor, which operates the Village Grocer, Ben’s Independent Grocer (B.I.G) and Pasaraya OTK, is in the midst of curating a new concept that will cater to BSC’s affluent customers.

The retailer's last day of business will be on March 22.

On why it is closing the store, the spokesperson said, "The retail market is very dynamic. Store opening and closing is part and parcel of doing business. In Malaysia, shopping malls are mushrooming everywhere and the demographics are ever changing."

Parkson in its Facebook update on Thursday (Dec 26) put up a post that read "Clearance Sale. Everything must go." The post also said the sale was being held between Dec 27, 2019 and Feb 2, 2020.

Cold Storage, which has operated since the shopping centre was known as Jaya Supermarket, started a closing-down sale on Saturday, but the shelves were already practically empty by 5pm on the same day.