Crowds at Jalan Ungku Puan Deepavali bazaar in Johor Baru have been smaller this year. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
JALAN Ungku Puan in Johor Baru is alive with Deepavali vibes as rows of stalls offering all kinds of goods have been set up to usher in the Festival of Lights.
Traders at the Deepavali bazaar said sales had been relatively slow but started to pick up over the weekend.
Biscuit seller V. Sumathi says many of her customers are Singaporeans who buy in bulk.
K. Sandran, who sells jewellery at the bazaar, said he was expecting a bigger crowd on the eve of Deepavali as many would be hoping for bigger discounts before traders closed shop on the final day.
“Unfortunately, the crowd is rather small compared to the past two years as we are competing with Deepavali expos in malls offering similar goods.
“There has been some improvement over the weekend and we expect to see larger crowds in the next few days but overall, sales have been rather disappointing,” he said.
Sandran said he needed to sell off all the stock he bought from his suppliers so that he could pay back the loans taken to set up his stall at the bazaar.
Sandran says he needs to sell off his jewellery stock to pay back the loans he took.
R. Mani, who sells prayer items, said last year’s bazaar crowd was big as it was the first time people were able to come from Singapore after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The border was reopened in April last year and people were excited to finally be able to shop here once again but that is no longer the case.
“However, since the Singapore dollar has risen even higher against the ringgit, I believe we will still see better sales,” he said.
He added that the popularity of online shopping may have also affected sales as people preferred buying goods via digital platforms.
“Ever since the pandemic, more people started to buy online.
“But there are still those who prefer to physically check the items before purchasing.”
Mani said not everyone who visited Deepavali bazaars were there to shop, some just wanted to experience the festive atmosphere.
At Tampoi Indah Deepavali bazaar, traders are also starting to see some improvement in sales over the weekend despite the rainy weather.
Sheela says she visits bazaars to soak up the festive atmosphere.
S. Shalini, who sells biscuits, said many customers from Singapore were buying large quantities to be given to their friends and families.
“I have been operating my stall here for almost a month and sales were very slow during the first two weeks.
“We have only started to see more customers since last weekend.
“I hope that things will continue to improve,” she said.
Amanda has been to the bazaar three times to look for the perfect Punjabi suit.
Competition from malls
Johor Baru Little India Cultural Association chairman Datuk N. Nilaraja said the number of stalls at Jalan Ungku Puan Deepavali bazaar had risen to about 400 this year.
“Last year, there were only about 300 stalls but we have been able to get more to join the bazaar this year.
“This means that there is more variety.
“The strong Singapore dollar has also helped attract more customers from across the border to shop here.
“There may be some competition from expos at malls but I believe it has not affected business that much,” he said.
Nilaraja says this year’s bazaar offers greater variety with more stalls.
Johor Indian Petty Traders and Small Businesses Association chairman D. Ravindran said there were about 30 stalls at Tampoi Indah Deepavali bazaar, a slight increase from the previous year.
“The weather has affected business a little but it has started to pick up since the weekend.
“I believe that many are also waiting until the very last minute to do their Deepavali shopping as they expect to get better discounts,” he said.
Johor Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry secretary-general Datuk K. Krishnan hoped that the state government would limit the number of expos at malls to reduce competition.
There are 30 stalls at the Deepavali bazaar in Tampoi Indah, which is a slight increase from the previous year.
“Traders at the expos include those coming from other countries.
“They are offering goods at prices that local businesses cannot compete with.
“I hope that the state government can stop them from operating during Deepavali,” he said.
R. Priyangha (left) and K. Saraswathy shopping for bangles at Jalan Ungku Puan.
Shoppers from Singapore
Among the visitors at the Jalan Ungku Puan Deepavali bazaar was Singaporean auditor S. Nanthini, who was spotted shopping with her Malaysian husband and two children.
“We come here to shop for Deepavali almost every year,” Nanthini said.
“We also plan to visit other bazaars and expos in Johor Baru.
“We go to Deepavali bazaars in Singapore as well as those in other states in Malaysia if we happen to be on holiday or visiting relatives.”
Nanthini added that she was happy with the deals offered by traders at the bazaar and would not haggle to get goods at a lower price.
“I visit during the last few days of the bazaar to enjoy better discounts but I will not bargain as they are already offering the items at a good price,” she said.
Singaporean Nanthini and her eight-year-old son Y. Sarvesh checking out a pouch at the Jalan Ungku Puan Deepavali bazaar.
P. Sheela Nair said she wanted to soak up the festive atmosphere.
“I like coming here with my family as the place is lit up.
“The bright lights and colours really ignite the festive spirit.
“I do not really shop here unless I find something I like or need,” said the mother of four.
Student Amanda Abdullah came to the bazaar with her brother and grandfather to look for a Punjabi suit.
“I have visited the bazaar three times so far as there is just so much choice and it’s difficult to make a decision.
“My family and I visit the bazaar almost every year to look for traditional Indian clothes which is difficult to find at other times,” she said.
At Tampoi Indah Deepavali bazaar, clerk S. Pavithra said she was there to buy festive biscuits for her colleagues.
“I will normally bake them but was unable to do so this year.
“So I just decided to buy them here for my friends in Singapore to enjoy,” she said.
