Hypermarkets can extend their operating hours to 11pm on weekdays and 1am on weekends.
In announcing this when unveiling the economic stimulus package, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the move was to encourage growth in the retail and domestic tourism industries.
“This move is consistent with the aim of making the nation an interesting shopping destination.
“The Government hopes that with this move, the shopping centres would react positively to the price reduction campaign,” he said in Parliament yesterday.
In George Town, consumers have welcomed the move.
Army officer Omar Jalil, 38, thought it was appropriate and friendly to shoppers.
“It would be good if people can do their shopping up to midnight, especially if you need to make some last-minute or emergency shopping,” he said when met at a supermarket at Bayan Baru.
Manager Gary Low, 52, welcomed the move as it would make shopping more convenient.
“It is certainly more hassle-free going to hypermarkets which are more organised and safer, compared with going to a small grocery or convenience store.
“It would be good if you can buy fish at midnight, wouldn’t it? You can’t do that at grocery stores,” he said.
When asked if they thought hypermarkets should operate round-the-clock to encourage more people to shop, spend and help stimulate the economy, many had mixed feelings.
Low said it would be good if there was such a demand in Malaysia while Omar doubted that people would shop during the early morning hours.
S.C. Wong, 33, a manager in the services industry, said such a move was both good and bad.
“It may be good for some shoppers, but the management of the hypermarkets may get some unhappy employees.
“There will also be safety and security concerns to address when business is done during such hours,” she said.
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Our govt is hypocrite! On one hand it is telling people to “change your lifestyle” to cut cost, save money. Now it is telling people to spend, save less. Our govt doesn’t make sense.
This is not news… Tesco have been open till 1am on weekns since long time…
This is good news..Just like the old days when TESCO started operating here in malaysia. I remembered the first outlet in Puchong. I used to go night shopping there with my kids. Streets are quiet so was Tesco, not many ppl..really ease your mind when shopping. No rushing.
One thing I like to shop at hypermarket, its way much cheaper than going to normal grocery store. There, i think you save a lot. For example, just the other day, when I wanted to buy red chillies from a shop nearby, it cost Rm10 per kg, when you go to hypermarket its only 5.50 per kg..
So thumbs up there for the Government.
it’s normal … not a good news. and sometime tesco holiday also will open until 1am, but something will not fresh, better go early. tesco open on 8:30am or 8am all the things are fresh.
chill ppl!hahah..before this, only TESCO open up until 1AM..but now..all hypermarkets will do so..it’s a new thang as well la..isn’t it?
This is NEWS! Govt banned the from operating till 1am a few months back & now allow them to open till 1am again. So this IS NEWS!
Good la……no need to cram & jam with others.
I agreed with nik271. Changing lifestyle really doesn’t make sense. Anyway, spend wisely for wat we need, not wat we want. =D
Changing lifestyle is up to ourself la…Adult already maaa…Buy what you need only…The hypermarkets open until 1am…good for those who are really busy…which dont have time to shoppping like other people….Back from work then go for household shopping….
I miss the days when Tesco Puchong was 24 hours. At least I could do grocery shopping when I can’t sleep at 3am. Bring it back!
Ya… is a good news actually… no need rush after work…
No matter Gov ask us to save or spend oso wouldnt influence ours’ decide rite..
We just do what we like… sometimes spending really can helps economy of a country…
Adrian – yup, after that go straight for breakfast then go home and tido!
if they announce hypermarkets’ operation 24 hours, now that’s GOOD NEWS!
cant sleep at 3 a.m? go tesco,buy curtain n do living room makeover! hi hi… kinda fun..
Sounds FUN to me also, especially if open 24 HRS.
As for the employees, they should be compensated for working such odd hours, meaning that they should be paid higher than normal rates, or else shift? I dunno la…
Maybe provide them transport for those working past 10pm, cos no bus already
when Tesco opened 24hrs, 7 eleven store complained how can they survive like this? So gov hv to cancelled the Tesco permit to operate around the clock.