KUALA LUMPUR: Online sales are expected to surge upward by at least 50 per cent throughout the Ramadan and Raya periods this year as Malaysians prepare for the festive season.
Electronics, home gadgets and clothing apparels are among the most sought-after items by online shoppers as they prepare for Hari Raya, according to 11street (www.11street.my), touted as one of the largest online marketplaces in the country.
11street chief executive officer Hoseok Kim was quoted by Business Review Asia as saying that there was a significant increase in the purchase of e-vouchers in 2016, even as the search for food and beverage e-vouchers increased to more than 1.2 million during the Ramadan period for that year.
"This year, we expect consumers to purchase more e-vouchers especially for buka puasa buffets, encouraged by the fact that more five-star establishments and restaurants have hopped aboard 11street to offer their delectable spread.
"We are constantly evolving to move faster than current online shopping trends, as you can see from our vast offerings,” he said.
For this year, 11street also expects increased demand for car services and road safety-related items as Malaysians prepare for their balik kampung sojourn.
Lower prices online and convenience, plus the need to combat rising cost of living, had been attributed as among the main reasons for the appetite in online shopping.