PETALING JAYA: The RM40bil released to contributors as part of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) RM10,000 special withdrawals has boosted Hari Raya shopping.

       Retailers are reporting brisk sales as items fly off the shelves, with the celebration less than two weeks away.

       Things are even merrier with Hari Raya bonuses and payments in both the public and private sectors.

       Malaysian Retailers Association vice-president Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said members expected to see a rebound in Hari Raya sales this time compared to the previous two seasons.

       “Sales have fully returned to the pre-pandemic level for Hari Raya, looking at the crowd of shoppers. There seems to be extra momentum now,” he said when contacted yesterday.

       Ameer, who also heads the Bumiputera Retailers Organisation, said retailers expected to see brisk business over the next fortnight.

       “Generally, all items are selling well. Also, there are many CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities are going on now, as most companies were not able to do much to help the needy previously.

       “This is good as they buy things to be given away,” he added.

       Ameer said halfway through Ramadan, many of his Mydin hypermarkets had run out of items such as biscuits.

       “Usually, biscuit sales only pick up just before Hari Raya. But many of our outlets are already out of stock now,” he said.

       He, however, lamented the fact that manufacturers were unable to step up production due to the acute labour shortage.

       Anticipating brighter days ahead for retailers following the reopening of the country’s borders, he said the challenge was to resolve the shortage.

       “The government has done a relatively good job in managing the Covid-19 pandemic and we are in the endemic transition phase.

       “But we retailers hope that the government will be able to overcome the worker shortage issue promptly,” he added.

       Furniture retailer Steven Wong said sofa and dining sets at his Ideal Gallery in Balakong and Puchong were selling well for Hari Raya.

       “There is more demand for furniture, but our factories are unable to produce more to sell due to the worker shortage,” he added.

       Wong, who has been involved in the furniture business for two decades, said usually for Hari Raya, sales would increase by between 20% and 30%.

       “It’s a let-down that we do not have enough manpower,” he added.

       He said he was only able to sell the items still in stock, while those who customise their orders had to wait longer.

       “I hope the government will sort out the worker shortage soon. A prolonged shortage will be bad for many sectors,” he added.