ENGLISH
Jilid 38 : Sep 2014 | RM12.80
PP14167/05/2013(032485)
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BAHARU
Runcit Malaysia
1
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TINJAUAN RUNCIT
UNDERSTANDING GST
We understand that many of you aren’t prepared for the upcoming Goods
and Services Tax (GST).
!
That’s why in this issue of Rencana Runcit, discover the 5 most important
things you need to know about GST. However, if you would like to learn more,
please don’t hesitate to call the Royal Malaysian Customs Department GST
hotline at 1-300-88-500.
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Also, we interviewed an enterprising female retailer in this issue’s Wira
Runcit. In addition to her retail store, she owns a restaurant and several
guesthouses! And finally, we give you some tips on what you can stock to
help your shoppers cope with the recent prolonged dry spell in Pak Runcit.
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Happy reading!
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EDITORIAL TEAM
PAK RUNCIT –CONTINUING THE
COMMITMENT
Pak Runcit or Mr Chow Nyuk Loong (as he was known to some of us) dedicated
his entire career to helping the traditional trade. He was ever ready to draw on
his knowledge and experience to give valuable advice to Runcit Malaysia
readers. After struggling with poor health for some time, Mr Chow passed away
on June 7th. In honour of his contributions, the Editorial Team has decided to
maintain the Pak Runcit column that he started almost 10 years ago. It's our
way of paying tribute to our friend and mentor – by continuing his steadfast
commitment to ensure the wellbeing and sustainability of the traditional trade.
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RENCANA RUNCIT
GST
5 things every retailer should know
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The government will soon introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to all
business in Malaysia on April 1, 2015. Yes, this applies to you, the retailer
as well. This tax will replace the current government tax (10%) and
services tax (6%). We at Runcit Malaysia are taking this opportunity to
share 5 things every retailer should know to prepare for GST.
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For more in-depth information however, call The Royal Malaysian Customs
Department at 1300-888-500 (Mon-Fri, 8am – 5pm) or visit http://
gst.customs.gov.my.
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1. YOU MUST REGISTER
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It is compulsory for retailers with an annual
sales turnover of more than RM500,000 to
register with the Royal Malaysian Customs
Department for the implementation of GST
before 31 Dec 2014. Those who fail to comply
can be penalised up to RM20,000.
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Registration can be made online at http://
gst.customs.gov.my or walk-in to the Royal
Malaysian Customs Department. Businesses
with an annual sales turnover of RM500,000
and below are recommended to register
voluntarily.
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RENCANA RUNCIT
2. KNOW THE TAXES
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The tax rate is 6%. This must be applied to all the items
that you sell, except zero-rated supplies such as rice,
sugar, flour, cooking oil, vegetables, fish, meat and eggs.
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There is Input Tax and Output Tax.
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Input Tax
• GST charged from your supplier/wholesaler.
• You can claim back input tax if you are registered.
Output Tax
• GST you charge to your shoppers
• You pay this tax to the Customs Department
3. PAY THE GST
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You must pay the Royal Malaysian Customs
Department the output taxes collected from your
sales.
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• If your annual sales is RM5m and above, you
pay your collected taxes every month.
• If your annual sales is RM5m and below, you
pay your collected taxes every 3 months.
4. CLAIM YOUR GST
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Although you have to pay the GST imposed on your
sales you can claim back the difference between
output tax and input tax.
Example:
• You purchase bread from the supplier at RM2.12
(RM2.00 + 6% GST). RM0.12 is Input tax.
• You sell the bread at RM2.65 (RM2.50 + 6%
GST). RM0.15 is Output Tax.
o You pay output tax of RM0.15.
o You claim input tax of RM0.12.
o Your net payment is RM0.03.
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You can also claim back business-related
purchases, eg. transportation and gondola
shelvings. If you bought these with GST, you can
include it in the input tax calculation for claiming
back your GST. Make sure you retain your receipts
for a period 7 years.
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RENCANA RUNCIT
5. DISPLAY THE GST
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Price Tags
Your price tags must display the price of goods inclusive of GST.
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Discounts
For discounts, you account for GST after discount.
• You sell bread at RM2.65 (RM2.50 + 6% GST).
• You provide a 10% discount (RM2.65 X 10%) = RM2.38
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Invoices
Similarly, all your invoices (receipts) that you give your
shoppers must show a GST line of 6%
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Label for standard
rated supplies
Label for zero rated
supplies
GST rate
Total to be paid,
including GST
Total GST charged
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RENCANA RUNCIT
As of June 1, only about 4,000 out of the
targeted 100,000 small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) have registered for GST.
Register your company early before 31 Dec
2014 to avoid the rush closer to the deadline.
Moreover, there are penalties for registering
after the deadline.
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Contact The Royal Malaysian Customs
Department at 1300-888-500 (Mon-Fri, 8am
– 5pm) for more advice and information. Also,
visit http://gst.customs.gov.my/en/hl/Pages/
hl_evtr.aspx for scheduled GST talks
throughout the country.
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*This article was based on Guide to Retailing by the
Royal Malaysian Customs. It can be found at http://
gst.customs.gov.my/en/rg/SiteAssets/
industry_guides_pdf/Revised/F2Retailing%20Guide
%20130114.pdf
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PERUNCIT PRAKTIKAL MOTIVASI
5 STEPS TO POSITIVE THINKING
Welcome to Positive Thinking. By adopting and applying positive thinking in
everything you do, it is possible to enjoy greater happiness and success in your life.
In a business environment this healthy attitude inevitably wins over more
customers and plenty of goodwill. Even your staff will be encouraged to follow your
lead. Here are some 5 steps to positive thinking:
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1. Check Your Thoughts. When you find yourself thinking negatively, shift your
thoughts to something positive like a happy or a memorable occasion.
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2. Speak Positively. Use positive language when speaking. For example, instead of
saying you “can’t or won’t“, say what you “ can and will” do.
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3. Create Positive Messages. Start your day with a positive message. You should
be prepared to work towards it. Your affirmation could be “Today is going to be a
great day”.
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4. Surround Yourself With Positive People. Spend more time with people you can
depend on for support, right advice and those who are happy and make you laugh.
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5. Visualise Success. Success comes through hard work and facing challenges.
Don’t give up, always try to remain positive. Continue to visualise a successful
outcome with concentration and faith.
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When you decide to practise positive thinking, you will be more likely to take
action, rather than procrastinate. With greater happiness in your life, who knows,
you will work harder to make your goals come true.
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Research shows that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier
lifestyles - they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and don't
smoke or drink alcohol in excess
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PERUNCIT PRAKTIKAL OPERASI
TAKING CARE OF YOUR CHILLER
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A chiller, like any other machine, requires regular service and maintenance to
perform efficiently and to keep stock in good condition so that it is safe for
consumption. Poorly maintained chillers not only cause spoilage but also use more
power, leading to higher electricity costs.
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Signs your chiller needs cleaning:
• Rust - often caused by spillage from beverages. It can weaken the unit and its
performance. It also looks unsightly.
• Moisture - leads to contamination and also damages the compressor and other
systems. If ignored, the chiller may have to be completely shut down for repairs.
• Bacteria - when the chiller is not working properly, mould and bacteria can grow
causing corrosion and affecting the shelf life of products.
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How to get the best from your chiller:
• Throw out spoiled food or drink immediately. Wipe surfaces regularly with diluted
baking soda powder and rinse.
• Readjust the temperature to a higher level occasionally, from 4oC to 7oC, to
defrost the coils. If frost is allowed to build up the chiller will use more power.
• If the coils have not been defrosted for some time, empty the chiller first. Then
leave the chiller door open for about 1-2 hours to allow room temperature in.
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!A chiller will give you its best performance if regularly serviced and maintained.
Service can be monthly, quarterly or annually. Make sure you understand your
chiller’s requirements, how to maintain it and keep it working at its best, when
you are buying it.
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PERUNCIT PRAKTIKAL KEDAI
RESPECT THE SHOPPER’S PERSONAL SPACE
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Most people go to their grocery store knowing for sure what they want to buy.
They would usually have a shopping list – either written or in their head. These
shoppers rarely browse around. If they require assistance, they will approach
you or your sales team.
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Shopping in comfort
To give your shoppers a pleasant experience, it is best not to approach them to
try to influence them into buying other items. It is also advisable to train your
staff not to follow a shopper around the store too closely. All shoppers have a
personal space and many will find it uncomfortable if you ‘invade’ this space.
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How to improve sales without getting in the way of the shopper
• Greet and welcome shoppers as they arrive into your store
• Keep your distance, but be ready when your shoppers require assistance
• Have big, clear signs along the aisle to assist shoppers find products quickly
and easily
• Hold regular promotions or place in-store displays and giveaway samples to
inform shoppers of new products or changes
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! Retailers can also help shoppers have a pleasant in-store experience with
! various eye-catching and effective in-store advertising . Ask your friendly
Runcit Media Field Supervisor for more information.
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MEDIA RUNCIT
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U
MEDIA RUNCIT
Nicholas Yong | Runcit Malaysia
nlike the modern trade, many brands face challenges reaching out to the traditional
trade. There are thousands of these independent retail outlets, each with their own
unique setup, management characteristics, and operations.
Often, brand owners do not have adequate qualitative or quantitative data to devise an
effective marketing strategy for their products in the traditional trade. To many, they
seek a clearer picture of this landscape in order to maximise their plans effectively.
Runcit Media Sdn Bhd (RMSB) can, as a complementing partner assist your brand make a debut at outlets of your
choice. As part of our Retail Activation business, we can offer the following services to help you:
1.Pre-Selling
• We will introduce your product to retailers and help win their interest.
• We can ‘open the door’ by helping you detail your product and engage with the retailer.
• We will help obtain preliminary sign-ups from interested retailers. These sign-ups will be passed to your sales
or marketing team for prompt follow-up.
2. Special Package Sell-In
• To go one step further, we can offer an exclusive RMSB promotional package (developed in collaboration with
your team) to the prospective retailer.
• We can give your brand an opportunity for trial by the retailer and pave the way for a more effective follow-up
by your sales team.
But our field supervisors do not just stop there.
They can provide you with value-added feedback during their cycle visits and collect relevant trade insights
from retailers. These include but are not limited to the following:
• Giving feedback on your brand’s presence against competitor products at your target area, from overthe-counter to price checks.
• Giving you retailer’s feedback on your campaign, current service level, recommended wholesaler,
ordering frequency and stock volume.
• Providing other specially requested services such as reporting on parallel import items and obsolete
packaging.
Altogether, our Retail Activation services can benefit you tremendously. Other positive impacts enjoyed by
our customers include reduced out-of-stock situations, increased sales and reduced distribution gaps.
Of course, our service is not limited only to RMSB’s panel of 7,000 retail outlets. It can also be extended
to independent supermarkets, independent petrol marts, local chain mini markets and coffee shops/
restaurants.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s meet and activate!
For more information, call us for a presentation!
RUNCIT MEDIA SDN BHD Tel : 03 7957 1718 E-mail: [email protected]
Runcit Malaysia
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KATEGORI RUNCIT
Understanding Feminine Wash
Feminine care has become a significant category especially in emerging markets like
Southeast Asia. This is largely due to higher disposable income among women as well
as increased awareness on personal health and hygiene.
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Apart from sanitary pad and panty liners that you may have been selling, feminine
wash is another important product in the feminine care category that you should know
about.
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For Intimate Hygiene
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Feminine wash is a personal care product that women use to clean their intimate area.
It is commonly used to prevent bacterial infection that can be caused by several factors
such as unhygienic practices, humid weather and synthetic undergarments. Women
also use feminine wash to maintain intimate hygiene during menstruation and after
giving birth.
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Most feminine wash comes in liquid format but gel or emulsion that are more
concentrated can also be found in the market. In recent years, manufacturers have
introduced added ingredients such as fragrance, whitening agents and traditional
ingredients such as betel leaves into feminine wash.
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Don’t forget to stock up on feminine wash and place it with other feminine care
products in your shop. Apart from regular size, you may also want to offer smaller
SKU which your female shoppers will find useful for travelling or top up purchase.
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KATEGORI RUNCIT
YOGURT DRINKS
Yogurt, especially yogurt-based drinks is one of the fastest growing sectors of the dairy
market. In Malaysia, yogurt sales hit total revenues of RM207.9 million in 2010,
equivalent to 89.5% of the yogurt market's overall value. (Datamonitor*).
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What are yogurt drinks?
Filled with the goodness of calcium, protein and low calories, yogurt drinks make a
deliciously healthy pick-me-up. It comes in portable portion packs that are easy for
consumers on-the-go, making it suitable for the busy lifestyles of modern Malaysians.
Plus, we are simply spoilt for choice with more fruit flavoured yogurt drink variants
entering the market.
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Yummy and Healthy
Here are some nutritious benefits to drinking yogurt drinks:
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• High in protein, which helps with muscle growth and recovery and keeps you full
longer.
• Rich in vitamins B2 and B12, with antioxidants and improves the regulation of the
nervous system.
• Contains phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, which improve bone strength.
• Promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.
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Enjoy its yummy goodness in an instant, anytime!
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POINTS REDEMPTION
We started a membership card scheme in
our store. Our shoppers are now able to
collect points with each purchase, and they
can trade-in for a variety of goods. In
addition, our store regularly holds monthly
promotions, has free gifts and our shoppers
can even pay their utility bills here.
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Venmathi
Pasaraya Vanis
Ipoh, Perak
FS: Peter Tan
SELF BILL PAYMENT
As there are no post offices in my
neighbourhood, I secured a bill payment
machine in my store. It is very user
friendly, as I only have to assist my
shoppers once, and many of them are able
to use it fuss-free. My shoppers frequently
pay their utility bills, but the machine can
also pay for ASTRO Njoi, YES, ABN Access,
Zakat and many more.
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Ajmal Khan bin Mohamed Iqbal
Iman’s Best Mart
Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor
FS: Sam Lee
CAKAP-CAKAP RUNCIT
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OWN BRANDED COFFEE
For 10 years, we have been selling our own
brand of coffee blend. This year, we
introduced a 3-in-1 coffee powder variant
and packed coffee beans, to cater to the
demand of tourists from all over the world.
My coffee is distributed throughout Sabah,
especially at tourist destinations.
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Siow Lun Fah
Pasar Mini Cheong Seng
Papar, Sabah
FS: Lucas Kum
HERBAL TEA
We boil and pre-pack freshly made herbal
tea, especially for our regular shoppers who
do not have the time to make them. The
herbal tea we sell comes in three variants,
and the recipe has been passed down for
generations in my family. The tea is such a
big hit that we also get regular orders from
our shoppers.
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Leong
Pasaraya Walk-In
Puchong, Selangor
PL: Lucas Kum
SEAFOOD SELLS
For 17 years, my father and I worked
together to build this business from the
ground up. Many of our shoppers come to
our store for the affordable seafood, with
ikan bilis and ikan masin among our top
sellers. We also sell many festive items
during Malaysian festival seasons.
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Pushpa Nathan a/l Arumugam
Pasar Mini APN
Rawang, Selangor
FS: Peter Tan
CAKAP-CAKAP RUNCIT
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WIRA RUNCIT
GROWING
THROUGH
BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITIES
Resourceful entrepreneur runs
several successful businesses
under one roof
Hajjah Yamah Enterprise is the
brainchild of Puan Hajjah Yamah, a
sprawling business venture that
includes a mini market, restaurant,
homestay accommodation and
rental homes, with more to come.
We ask this enterprising retailer to
share her secrets of success.
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You run so many businesses under one roof. How did this all come about?
I actually started as a canteen operator. But about 9 years ago, I decided to open a
small business selling flowers, branded clothes and tailoring services, as there was
no one offering these in Kampung Sijangkang at the time. As business steadily
grew, the idea of opening a ‘complete’ mini market came to mind – selling not just
groceries, but also vegetables, fruits and seafood.
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Even though we were new, business was great because we actively seek advice
from our suppliers on what goods were saleable. We also asked our shoppers what
items they needed, so we can stock accordingly. With this added income, we looked
at new business ventures. That’s when we thought of opening a restaurant.
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I chose to open a steamboat restaurant, as there wasn’t one here, and I had prior
experience as a canteen operator. I promoted the restaurant by distributing
pamphlets in the mini market. The restaurant was a hit, and soon people
requested to hold weddings and other private functions there. Some had guests
from other states that needed a place to stay. That was where the idea for a
homestay came about. Today, there are five homestay homes with 15 rooms,
houses for rent and a swimming pool.
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WIRA RUNCIT
Are there benefits to running several businesses at once?
Each business has proved beneficial for the other. For example, the mini market
and restaurant share the same suppliers, so we get discounts because we buy in
bulk. Moreover, guests from the homestay will purchase their daily groceries from
the mini market, or can choose to have their dinner at the restaurant.
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What’s next for Hajjah Yammah Enterprise?
We are planning to open another restaurant and more mini markets nearby. Also
in the pipeline is a self-service coin-operated laundry and a wholesale market for
our guests.
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What is your advice to your fellow retailers who wish to emulate your
success?
Be honest and trustworthy, especially to your suppliers and shoppers. Also, when
you are looking for business opportunities, look for something in your
neighbourhood that nobody offers. We had no experience when we started, but
with effort and determination our business has become successful.
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HALAMAN PAK RUNCIT
FACING DRY
WEATHER
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The recent prolonged dry spell brought about very
difficult conditions for many people and households. As
a retailer, you can help shoppers cope with these
challenging environmental and health conditions. Read
on to find out how.
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Water Shortage
With very little rain, water reserve in dams are used up
quickly and in some cities, authorities have had to
conduct water rationing. Stock up on these highly
necessary items for your shoppers:
• Pails, storage containers and hoses
• Bottled water (shoppers usually buy by cartons)
• Instant food, disposable plates and cutleries
• Hand sanitisers and wet tissues
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Haze
Many parts of the country is shrouded in
haze due to the dry weather and open
burning. This increases health concerns,
such as coughs, eye irritation, throat
irritation (sore throat) and sneezing.
Because of this, shoppers will be looking
for cooling drinks such as
chrysanthemum tea, watermelon juice
and green bean soup to keep their body
cool and to regulate toxins from the
body. They will also be looking to buy
items such as:
• Face masks
• Over the counter (OTC) medications
such as eye drops and cough syrups.
• Bottled water
• Cooling drinks
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HALAMAN PAK RUNCIT
Dengue
Another problem that is on the rise is
dengue. Do your part by stocking up on:
• Mosquito repellents (electric
repellents or coils)
• Mosquito spray
• Mosquito netting
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Avoid increasing prices drastically for items that are currently high in demand.
Be ethical and be ready to cater to your shoppers needs during the dry season.
END