KUALA LUMPUR – Since the second movement control order (MCO) began more than two weeks ago, bread has been selling faster than some retailers can restock them.
Acting on consumer complaints in the Klang Valley that convenience and grocery stores are not getting adequate supply, The Vibes scouted a few outlets to check on the food item’s availability.
The Sharina Aleesya Enterprise convenience store in Section 13, Subang Jaya, has seen its bread shelves almost empty for a few days.
Worker Darya Mustafa said the shop has not received supply for three days, adding that it relies on the High-5 brand.
“However, the shop next door carries the same bread. I don’t know why we are not being supplied. Maybe it is because of the MCO.
“We also rely on bread suppliers to get fruit jam and kaya. If they don’t deliver bread, they don’t deliver jam as well.”
It is a similar story at the 7-Eleven outlet in the Subang Parade shopping mall.
Store manager Nurul Ain said the bread shelves there are sometimes empty.
“Massimo delivers bread only once every three days. Gardenia delivers every day, but it is not enough.”
A survey of convenience stores in Section 13, where the residential units mostly comprise low-cost flats, found that some operators face the same issue.
A worker at Kedai Runcit Restu Ibunda said bread companies do not deliver to the shop, but a nearby supermarket.
The supermarket, understood to be Pasar Mini Pathiman, occupies a few shoplots, and its bread shelves are adequately stocked.
“So far, we have had no problem with bread supply,” said its manager, Naavin Maialagan.
“We did, however, have a shortage during last year’s MCO. This time, we are good.”
Checks at the Aeon Big and Village Grocer hypermarkets showed well-stocked bread shelves as well.
A worker at Aeon Big said the outlet faces no difficulty getting bread and other food items.
However, a Village Grocer employee said otherwise.
Despite its bread shelves having a reasonable supply during The Vibes’ visit, the staffer said the outlet sometimes experiences a shortage.
“I think we have a shortage because during the MCO period, factories are not producing enough as they may have fewer workers.
“Today, our bread supply arrived only at 12pm. Still, it is not so bad. It just means people will end up buying less, or getting other food items.”
Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn Bhd said it makes deliveries to all its resellers daily.
“We have checked our sales and our systems, and Gardenia has been delivering bread every day to all our outlets, whether hypermarkets, convenience stores or other shops,” said Hazlina Harun from the corporate affairs department.
On a supply shortage, she said: “Sellers do call us if their supplies are insufficient, but we attend to them accordingly.”
Massimo bread manufacturer The Italian Baker Sdn Bhd could not be reached for comment. – The Vibes, January 31, 2021
