Source:
https://scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3083980/coronavirus-malaysian-shops-reopen-retailers-count-cost
Asia/ Southeast Asia

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
Shops have reopened in Malaysia after movement control order was eased. Photo: AP

As businesses reopened in Malaysia after more than 50 days, following a period of lockdown to contain the coronavirus outbreak, some traders were saddled with extra work as spots of mould appeared on merchandise.

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.”

A shopping centre sales assistant who asked to be referred to as Saw said leather products with mould growing on them could be easily wiped off with baby oil or furniture polish.

“During the two-month closure, there may be fluctuation in the temperature of the air conditioning at the mall,” Saw said. “The air may be more humid sometimes. And since it has been raining, the air may be moist. Leather is durable and if you take care of it well, mould should not grow easily on it.”

Shops have reopened in Malaysia after movement control order was eased. Photo: AP
Shops have reopened in Malaysia after movement control order was eased. Photo: AP

In Petaling Jaya, Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) president Garry Chua said losses from damage to goods during the MCO period were rare.

“I think there are remote cases where there were damage of goods but MRCA members have not had issues with that,” Chua said.

He also said retailers and shopping malls needed to work together to attract more customers.

“Shopping malls must have aggressive promotions to help retailers,” he said. “Malls also need to show that they have their standard operating procedure to prevent Covid-19 infection, such as temperature checking and providing hand sanitisers, to bring back customers’ confidence.”