by AZREEN HANI / pic by TMR FILE

THE government targets RM500 billion retail sales this year supported by “Program Jualan Malaysia” (PJM) launched in January.

The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid said the target is also supported by the reopening of borders and economic activities nationwide.

“PJM will also offer bargain sales which include festive season sales, mega sales, year-end sales and segment sales with eight major programmes planned by the ministry,” he said in his speech during the launch of PJM sales, “Jom Shop Raya”, at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) yesterday.

“I believe the PJM 2022 sales value target can be realised through close cooperation between the government and all players in the retail industry.

“Therefore, I call on all industry players, suppliers and owners of retail premises to work with the government through the PJM 2022 initiative to offer the lowest and affordable prices for goods to be enjoyed by the entire Malaysia Family,” Rosol added.

Apart from aviation tourism, retail and consumer sectors are also among the key beneficiaries from the reopening of Malaysian borders since April 1.

It is estimated that up to 10 million tourists to the country were from Singapore in the prepandemic period who spent some RM21 billion in total based on 2019 figures.

In 2019, Malaysia’s retail sector recorded RM537.6 billion worth of sales.

Last December, Retail Group Malaysia stated that the retail sector recorded a 27.8% drop in third-quarter (3Q) sales compared to the same period last year.

The retailer association’s report stated that the quarterly result was way below market expectations. Members of the Malaysia Retailers Association and the Malaysia Retail Chain Association had projected the 3Q to contract at 15.1% in September 2021.

The report states the lockdown imposed in Malaysia during the first half of the 3Q of 2020 had a significant impact on the retail industry.

The Jom Shop Raya programme is implemented for a month starting April 16 to May 15.

This programme is one of the government’s efforts towards the economic recovery especially the retail sector on top of restoring consumer confidence to shop around Jalan TAR safely.

The government has allocated RM 300,000 for sales promotions at Jalan TAR in conjunction with the Aidilfitri sales.

Apart from that, the allocation is also aimed to encourage Malaysians to spend through vouchers.

This measure, said Rosol, will be able to provide savings for the people’s expenditure, especially from the lower income group to buy necessities ahead of the Aidilfitri celebration.

This PJM initiative will be implemented throughout the year nationwide to enable the people to spend with the lowest and affordable prices through various segments.

“This is the continuation of the PJM concept since 2020 which is Recovery (recovery), Revitalise (invigorate) and Revive retail sector which is one of the major contributors to the economy and the country’s GDP,” Rosol said.