Traders at Mara Digital Mall are worried with the sole supplier’s inability to ensure a constant supply of IT products, saying this will affect consumer confidence.
Speaking to FMT, trader Mohamad Fadzly Rahmat said many of his customers had complained that the items they wanted were not available.
Mohamad Fadzly Rahmat
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“If we don’t have the items, then people will not be satisfied with the service here. Mara Digital Mall is an IT centre not a pasar malam (night market),” he said, adding his customers grumbled every time they were given the “no stock” excuse.
It was previously reported that WGN Scan Sdn Bhd (WGN) had been appointed as the sole supplier for Mara Digital Mall, that was set up to provide a platform for Bumiputera IT traders.
The minister then, Ismail Sabri Yakoob had said that as the sole supplier, WGN would ensure only original products were sold. Last Monday, Ismail said Mara Digital Mall had recorded sales of RM18.4 million as of November.
Another trader, Mohd Fuad Mohd Teriman proposed that the management of the mall get more traders to set up shop there.
Mohd Fuad Mohd Teriman
“There is a need to add another floor for traders, because at the moment, there is only one floor and it is not enough, Mohd Fuad said.
“There is no problem for customers to get some items such as computers and laptops, but spare parts are the problem.”
One visitor to the mall, Abdul Mohammad Azli Mihat believed Mara Digital Mall was a success.
“Before, this place was dead. There was no one around, but Mara Digital Mall is bringing in the crowds.”
He also suggested that the mall embark on a campaign to attract more shoppers.
Ismail had proposed the setting-up of the Mara Digital Mall after a riot at Low Yat Plaza in July 2015. He had said the new Bumiputera-only mall would benefit consumers by breaking the monopoly held by certain parties on IT goods.
Original article from http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/12/21/mara-digital-traders-lament-shortage-of-stock/
