SHAH ALAM, April 15 — Small traders are increasingly under pressure from rising raw material costs and a decline in customers following the impact of the West Asia conflict, forcing them to adjust their business strategies to stay afloat.
A survey at several food courts around Shah Alam today found that traders have begun adapting their operations, including reducing portion sizes, maintaining prices, and diversifying income sources.
Andre Sharifuddin, 33, who runs a satay business, said he has been feeling the strain for over a year as raw material prices continue to rise.
“I sell various types of satay: padang, chicken, and lamb. As a trader, I really feel the impact as the prices of goods increase while customer numbers decrease.
“For now, I am still maintaining prices based on current conditions, but I worry that if prices rise further, customers will continue to decline.
“We are also adopting other strategies such as accepting orders for events, not just relying on shop sales,” he told Media Selangor today.
Meanwhile, Korean food trader Asni Renda, 45, said the rise in raw material prices has directly affected her business.
“We are concerned that if we raise selling prices, customers will turn away. But if we do not, our profits will shrink.
“Since Raya (Aidilfitri), we have really felt it; the customers are fewer. There are many challenges, but we continue the business as this is our only source of income,” she said, adding that she operates from 11am to 11pm.
For ayam penyet and bakso trader Erna Dell, 42, has chosen to maintain prices but reduce portion sizes to cope with rising costs.
“We have not hired workers because we are worried we cannot afford to pay wages. The cost of goods has gone up, and shop rent is RM2,300 a month.
"So for now we maintain prices, but slightly reduce the portion,” she said.
The Sabahan said she has been residing in Selangor for four years and now continues her business after her previous premises closed.
Elsewhere, kuih trader Ali Rahmatullah, 25, is leveraging online platforms to boost income alongside his physical shop operations.
“I also sell online and have several other branches in Sections 18 and 19. However, we are also affected as fewer people are sending kuih to be sold.
“Previously, many would supply kuih, but now it is decreasing. Alhamdulillah (God be praised), we also have our own products such as curry puffs and keropok lekor,” he said.
Earlier, Media Selangor reported that the state government is considering providing a targeted stimulus package to ensure public welfare and business sustainability amid global economic uncertainty.
State Secretary Dato' Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin said such measures are important to assist vulnerable groups, similar to initiatives implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that among the groups identified are low-income earners (B40), farmers, contractors, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and industry players.
