Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - Local businesses remain optimistic that sales will be more encouraging towards the end of the month for the festive Hari Raya season, despite a slow start to the Brunei Grand Sale 2008.

Mohinder Singh, owner of Mohan's Carpet Palace in Gadong, said that responses to his advertisement have not picked up yet, but is confident that it can still attract customers.

People are shopping less for the past years, he said, adding that the pace of business was not as fast as he anticipated.

"People are using their finances to buy cars before Raya, rather than buying carpets. If there is extra money in their bank account, then maybe, they'll consider buying a carpet," he said.

He said that the constant heavy rains for the past week have also dampened the mood for

shoppers, resulting in the slow sales. He added that his shop has imported sufficient stock this year, and expects customers to respond towards the end of the month.

"I suppose the reason why it's pretty slow at the moment is because people are busy with other shopping," said Yvonne from Lilli Lingerie. However, she said that it is still early to tell, as she remains optimistic that business will improve later this month.

The company has advertised especially for this month, but we are still awaiting for encouraging responses, she said. "I think it (sales) will be better compared to last year," she added.

Tiam, a representative from Okky Jewellery, said that he expected the first week of the grand sale to be quiet.

This is because people are generally inclined to buy more food during the fasting month and more furniture to decorate their house before the upcoming festive season, he said.

A representative from one of the leading supermarkets in Gadong, who declined to be named, said that sales "were good" because the public received their monthly pay last week, and there was a public holiday to mark the first day of the fasting month.

However, he said that business was not up to the standards, due to the fasting month, where "people just want to relax at home." The representative is also positive that sales will improve at the end of the month.

"I really hope the government can give the salary earlier than usual next month, hopefully before the first because the last few days are crucial before Raya, as it is one of the ways we can see an increase in sales," he said.

Norfaizatul, a spokesperson for Vincci shoe store, said that public response for the Brunei Grand Sale 2008 was "quite good in the beginning," but was not sure why "everything is so quiet now."

"I admit that this year has been moderately slow, but it hasn't affected our sales," she added.

Suzy from another shoe store, Charles and Keith, said that even though they are not participating in the Brunei Grand Sale this year, the response has been the same as last year. She said that they did not participate this year because they follow the sale period of their Singapore main branch. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times