By HARIZAH KAMEL

MR DIY Group (M) Bhd aims to complete over 100 million transactions, which is three times the size of Malaysia’s population, by the year-end. 

Its CEO Adrian Ong said the hardware retail group is on track to reach its target, citing it sees close to 10 million transactions in a typical month despite the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. 

“We thank the consumers for it. It’s not because we sell large items and have a large basket necessarily, our average basket size is under RM30, but because we provide everyday essentials at regular prices for every household in the country,” he said at the MIDF Conversation webinar with MIDF group MD Datuk Charon Wardini Mokhzani yesterday. 

He added Mr DIY’s fixed-price store format is a compelling factor in attracting customers, coupled with the treasure hunt concept the home improvement retailer is known for. 

He acknowledged cash transactions are still prevalent with the use of credit cards and e-wallets have been picking up, especially among the younger generation. 

“E-commerce is something we are very focused on. Today, our proportion of revenue from e-commerce is relatively small. We have fully invested in our e-commerce offering through warehouse facilities in Seri Kembangan, Selangor,” he highlighted.

Ong is confident the Malaysian consumer consumption will continue to go up based on verified market data, adding he expects the home improvement retail sector will keep on growing in the next five years. 

“The market has historically grown at double digits and we expect it to continue to grow as our customers can start moving freely,” he said. 

Despite the pandemic, Ong said the group has no plans to reduce its number of stores. To date, it has added around 93 stores in the first half of the year. 

Mr DIY’s target of opening 175 stores for the full year still stands and the group will continue to add stores during the rest of the year. 

“During this period of lock-down, we have not been able to add new stores but we hoped to catch up in the second half of the year once the conditions allow us to do so,” said Ong. 

On whether the pandemic disrupted businesses for Mr DIY, Ong believes the group was lucky enough to operate during the movement restrictions as it is an essential goods retailer. 

“Above that, the whole work from home arrangement has continued to support us whether through items such as adapters and electrical items that are needed for work and to stay connected. How- ever, Mr Toy has stayed closed during this period, so that has a reversal effect on us,” he said. 

With Covid-19 vaccinations accelerating fast, Ong also shared that Mr DIY just passed the 300 mark which means over 300 of its stores, every single one of its employees have been vaccinated. 

“One of the challenges that we have as a company with 12,000 over employees is ensuring that our customers and colleagues are safe. Apart from ensuring they have to wear face masks and sanitise, the best formula that we can think of is to ensure that as many of our staff are vaccinated,” he added.