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The Star

Businesses in Malaysia’s Johor state are gearing up for an influx of shoppers from Singapore ahead of Lunar New Year.
They said the number of customers had risen gradually in recent weeks, with a sharper increase in sales expected.
Hamper store owner Loo Chok Nan said he began getting Lunar New Year orders from Malaysian and Singaporean buyers about two weeks ago.
“We would normally deliver the orders as soon as they have been wrapped and packed, so that we have enough room to pack more coming orders,” he said.
“So far, we have delivered at least 300 hampers, including to customers in Singapore, and we expect the number to go up, especially in the two weeks before the festival.”
Loo said he receives an average of 10,000 orders for Lunar New Year every year.
“We hope to achieve a similar figure this year, but it is not easy to predict as there are more shops offering hampers over the years.”
Echoing a similar view was nursery owner Ng Kok Yeo, who said he began seeing an increase in customers earlier this month.
“Lunar New Year shoppers from Singapore came early this time. We have already begun delivering plants about two weeks ago,” he said.
“Normally, more people start buying plants about a week or two before the festival, as they want them to remain fresh. Long-lasting plants such as bamboo are normally purchased earlier.”
He said other popular plants for Lunar New Year include cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums and orchids.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Hotels Johor chapter chairman Ivan Teo said hotels are expecting to see a surge in bookings by the end of the month.
“It is a bit quieter this year. So far we have not seen any spike in visitors, even tourists from China who typically visit during the festival,” he said.
“We expect to have a better idea by the end of this month, and hopefully the Visit Johor and Malaysia campaigns could help attract more visitors.”
This year, Lunar New Year will be celebrated on February 17.
This story was first published by The Star


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Hampers and plants are in demand ahead of the holidays, with hotels hoping for a late booking surge


Hampers and plants are in demand ahead of the holidays, with hotels hoping for a late booking surge.


Singapore

Lunar New Year

Businesses in Malaysia’s Johor prepare for Singaporeans’ Lunar New Year shopping spree

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hampers and plants are in demand ahead of the holidays, with hotels hoping for a late booking surge

Hampers and plants are in demand ahead of the holidays, with hotels hoping for a late booking surge