Bazar Goes Quiet: Vendor Says Sales Didn’t Even Reach RM500 After 21 Days
Vendor Breaks Down Over Slow Bazaar Sales
Ramadan is usually the golden period for many small traders across Malaysia, especially those operating at Ramadan bazaars where food, drinks, and festive items attract huge crowds.
But for one vendor in Penang, this year’s bazaar experience has turned into a stressful financial struggle.
A Threads post recently went viral after entrepreneur Alia Yahaya shared a video showing the situation at Bertam Street Market located at Sunshine Bertam in Penang.
Instead of the usual lively bazaar atmosphere filled with hungry visitors, the footage showed rows of stalls sitting almost empty with barely any customers walking through.
Sales Didn’t Even Reach RM500 After 21 Days
The quiet bazaar left Alia feeling devastated.
According to her post, after operating for 21 days, her total sales had not even reached RM500.
The amount, she explained, is far from enough to cover the actual business costs she had already invested into the bazaar.
Her expenses include:
- RM10,000 business capital
- RM3,500 for the bazaar stall rental
- RM2,000 borrowed as additional capital
- Staff wages and daily operational costs
She said that at this point, she is no longer thinking about profit.
Instead, her biggest concern now is how she will repay the debts tied to the business.
“21 days have passed. Not even RM500. Some nights we go home with nothing. I’m not thinking about profit anymore. I’m just worried about how to pay the debts. There are only 15 days left. We will keep opening the stall, even though we are getting more afraid every day,” she shared.
Vendor Invites Public To Support Local Businesses
Although the situation has been difficult, Alia stressed that she was not complaining about fate or blaming anyone for the slow sales.
Instead, she simply hopes people living nearby would consider visiting the bazaar and supporting the vendors who are trying to keep their businesses afloat.
She encouraged residents around the area to drop by Bertam Street Market and help bring life back to the bazaar.
Influencers Promoted The Bazaar — But Visitors Still Didn’t Come
Interestingly, Alia also revealed that the event organisers had already done promotional work for the bazaar.
According to her, several well-known influencers had visited the location to help promote the event.
Despite the marketing efforts, however, the bazaar still remained unusually quiet this year.
“It’s not anyone’s fault. The event organiser has done their job. Promotions were done, famous influencers came, but people still didn’t come,” she explained.
Bazaar Runs From February Until March
Based on available information, the Bertam Street Market event actually combines both a Ramadan bazaar and an Aidilfitri bazaar.
The market has been running from 13 February until 19 March 2026.
Operating hours are from 12 PM until 12 AM daily.
Despite the long operating hours and extended event period, the lack of visitors has left some vendors struggling to survive financially.
Netizens Believe Crowds Will Come Closer To Raya
After the video circulated online, many social media users shared their thoughts and words of encouragement.
Some people believe the bazaar may still attract large crowds closer to Aidilfitri, when people usually start shopping more actively.
One user wrote that bazaars in their area also remained quiet earlier in Ramadan but became crowded during the final week before Hari Raya.
Others suggested that changing shopping habits could be another reason behind the slow turnout.
One commenter speculated that online shopping might be drawing customers away from physical bazaars.
Despite the worrying situation, many netizens also offered encouragement, reminding the vendor that business sometimes brings either profit or valuable experience.
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Source : Threads
Video : HERE
