Coronavirus: Malaysian shops reopen but retailers count cost of spoiled merchandise
- The country’s movement control order has been eased but the period of closure has allowed mould to grow on bags and clothing
- Shopping centres have been urged to adopt temperature checks and provide hand sanitisers to restore customers’ confidence
At a shopping centre in Pulau Tikus, in George Town, a travel and coldwear store owner who asked to be referred to as Chong blamed humidity.
“As the mall temperature depends on the air conditioning, sometimes it may be humid when the cool temperature suddenly rises,” said the 47-year-old, whose shop had been closed since the start of the movement control order (MCO). “This causes a sudden increase in water vapour in the surrounding air, making it more likely for mould to grow.”
Chong said mould was found growing on some wallets, leather backpacks and handbags.
“It makes the products look less attractive but it does not affect their function. All we did was use a bit of oil and polish them with a clean cloth, ” he said.
Another wallet and bag seller in a shopping centre who asked to be referred to as Lai said most of her products were dusty.
“Some products on the display rack had dust on them as we were unable to clean them when we were closed,” the 65-year-old said. “Most of our other products are fine as we wrapped them in paper for storage before we closed for the MCO.
“As most of our products are not pure leather and made of PU leather or PVC leather, they are less prone to mould.”
