JOHOR BARU – A company selling prayer items, food and Chinese New Year decorations in Johor Jaya here has taken the initiative of providing drive-thru services to make it easier for customers to make purchases.
Its manager Belle Tor, 31, said the initiative aims to ensure that customers, especially the elderly, feel confident and safe buying Chinese New Year necessities during the Covid-19 pandemic. They do not have to enter the shop to purchase what they want.
She said customers just need to place their orders through WhatsApp or WeChat before making a call and driving through to pick up the items.
According to her, the average customer would welcome the initiative as it makes it easier for them to purchase items, minimises close interactions, and avoids crowding in the shop.
“Most customers are senior citizens. It is easy for young people to come here as they know how to scan the MySejahtera QR code.
“But, most senior citizens find it difficult to walk and some do not understand how to scan QR codes. This initiative makes it easier for them, and their children can help them place orders and collect the goods via drive-thru,” she told Bernama when met here today.
Tor said this will prevent the spread of Covid-19 among customers.
At the same time, she admitted that it will be a dismal Chinese New Year this year because there is a decline in customers, especially from Singapore, which is more apparent in the Johor Jaya area; usually lively with festive sales every year.
“Business is slow; it has declined about 50 to 70% from last year, because there are usually festive sales here every year.
“There are still many customers in Singapore, but the local community is spending less because they want to save money during the pandemic,” said Tor, who runs the 22-year-old family business.
Meanwhile, Sutera Mall manager Farrer Tan when contacted said that it is marketing Chinese New Year accessories as usual this year, and customers can make purchases through its Facebook page.
“We created a live broadcast on Facebook, and provide delivery services directly to customers’ homes,” he said.
She said this year Sutera Mall has 21 exhibition booths in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration, comprising stalls selling biscuits, smoked meat, mandarins, flowers, and decorative items.
According to her, the number of stalls this year is lower compared with 40 last year because of the need to comply with standard operating procedures to maintain physical distancing. – Bernama, February 7, 2021
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