Muslims start it early to avoid last minute rush
KUCHING: Though it’s still early into the month of Ramadan, Muslims have started planning on their Hari Raya shopping and not leave it to the last minute rush.
Shopping in the digital era has changed, as more online shops are set up, giving strong competition to departmental stores.
A university student Nurul Hidayah Brahim, 25, has surveyed online on what clothing items she plans to get.
“I have gone through a few online shops to look at the available head scarves (tudung) while for baju kurung, I prefer going to the departmental stores as I get to try them on first before buying. I don’t really like shopping online for clothes because you can’t judge the material, stitching or quality of the items just based on the photos.”
“Online shopping for tudung is great as I get to compare the different items offered and the competitive pricing. Plus, as it is festive season, there are many great bargains as well.”
For cookies and cakes, she will order it from people she knows who make them for sale, or have ordered from previously.
Family man Mazlan Rosli, 32, an operations manager, prefers to shop for everything in-store.
He said that his wife and him
Online shopping for tudung is great as I get to compare the different items offered and the competitive pricing. Plus, as it is festive season, there are many great bargains as well.
prefer to go to the shop so that they can examine the clothes before buying and making sure it fits as buying online is risky should it not fit, and troublesome if they have to return it, if the online store offers returns.
He added that his wife also does not see what she wants online so they still prefer the brick and mortar stores.
“We bring the whole family out to shop together in a few trips because sometimes you can’t find what you want on the first try. Our Raya shopping is mostly for food and drinks as our Raya style is more on family gathering and catching up with family and friends. That is the most important for us.”
He also does not plan on changing any furniture as it is not necessary at the moment.
For cookies and cakes, his wife would make some and sometimes they get some as gifts from others.
Meanwhile, another university student Hanisah Talif, 25, said she does all her shopping online, such as for new Raya clothes.
Different online stores offer different things and it’s fun to explore at own convenience at home instead of mingling with groups of people at shopping malls. Plus, there’s less chance of bumping into people wearing the exact same thing, she said.
“I’m getting Baju Kurung Modern and Kebaya from online as it is easier and have more variety. Plus, it’s less timeconsuming than going from shop to shop to hunt for something I like. I’ve already started my shopping so that what I want won’t be sold out.”
For Raya goodies, she said she would not shop for those as her family will be doing that.
Nurul Hidayah Brahim, university student