20 pct of Muslims Stock Up Earlier for Ramadan

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- The rising costs of living and raw materials may have prompted almost one-fifth of Muslim consumers in Peninsular Malaysia to buy non-perishable items earlier than July to counter the possibility of rising cost in the coming months, according to a study. Sandipan Sinha, associate director of Nielsen Malaysia Retail Measurement Services, said ongoing promotional offers by hypermarkets are one of the pull factors for buying items at lower prices whenever customers have some additional budget prior to Ramadan. "Most importantly, to better observe their religious responsibilities and to spend time together with family, for example having pre-dawn meals and breaking fast, half of Muslim consumers were probably driven to purchase both perishable and non-perishable items, frozen food and ambient food products for cooking meals at home," he said. Almost nine in 10 Muslim repondents said they consumed home-cooked food for most meals during the last Ramadan. Stocking behaviour also occurs closer to Hari Raya in anticipation of the celebration, and concerns over shortage of festive promotional items could be one of the pull factors, Sandipan said. He said staple food items such as rice and cooking oil as well as stocks, seasoning and sauces were the top three most stocked products. In terms of expenditure during Ramadan, 44 per cent of Muslim respondents have increased their budget year-on-year, 43 per cent maintained the status quo while 13 per cent managed to reduce their spending. According to the study, Malaysians are the second most prolific promotion-seekers in Asia Pacific, with three in five Muslim respondents saying they bought items on discount. Muslim households comprise about 61 per cent of the population. Muslims are likely to start fasting this Saturday. -- BERNAMA