August 24, 2009 16:30 PM

Retail Businesses Affected By Flu

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- The country's retail sector is beginning to feel the "pinch" of the current Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic as sales have dipped by between 15 and 30 per cent over the last two months, Malaysian Retailers Chain Association secretary-general Nelson Kwok said Monday.

He told Bernama that people were not patronising shopping malls and complexes for fear of contacting the flu.

Retailers were concerned that their business would be further affected in the months ahead if the pandemic was not brought under control.

Kwok said that this period was supposed to be a great season for business in view of the Hari Raya and Deepavali, but unfortunately, fear of the spread of the disease had kept customers away.

"While we appreciate what the government is doing to contain the disease, we are also concerned with the over-reaction by the general public that might jeopardise our businesses," he added.

Meanwhile, te Malaysian Employers Federation said the hotel and services sectors were also affected as there were less tourists visiting the country now.

Its executive drector, Shamsuddin Bardan,said employers were playing their role in disseminating information on the flu to all their staff and ensuring that they did not spread the disease as well as observe strict personal hygiene.

"So far, there is no necessity for any of the companies or factories to be shut down due to mass absenteeism due to the flu," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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