How Malaysians Shopped for Raya This Year
Practical Considerations Drive Purchasing Behaviour
A survey conducted by market research company Milieu Insight reveals key insights into consumer behaviour during the festive season, highlighting trends in shopping, dining, and spending habits.
Convenience and Security Top the List
Malaysians increasingly embraced cashless transactions for clothes, with 53% opting for e-wallets over cash, citing convenience and security. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services gained traction, with 18% of consumers opting for them, particularly younger shoppers seeking financial flexibility.
E-commerce Dominates Raya Shopping
E-commerce dominated Raya shopping, with 83% favouring Shopee for festive essentials. The rise of social media stores (33%) such as TikTok Shop reflects a growing preference for social commerce, where interactive live-shopping experiences can influence purchase decisions.
Budget-Conscious Mindset Prevails
Notably, a separate Shopee study highlights a strong budget-conscious mindset, with seven in 10 shoppers keeping their Raya expenses under RM500. Among them, half set a budget between RM300 and RM500.
Gathering and Gifting Remain Central
Family gatherings and gifting remain central to consumers’ decision-making when shopping for the festive season. Half of those surveyed prioritised bulk purchases for family gatherings, festive gifting, and home upgrades.
Early Planning and Sales Maximise Savings
The same Shopee report says 98% of shoppers began their Raya purchases as early as Q4 2024 – highlighting a growing preference for early planning, which allows buyers to take advantage of year-end sales and promotions to maximise savings.
Clothing and Gifts Remain Significant Expenses
Clothing remains a significant expense, with 25% of shoppers setting aside RM101-RM200 for new outfits; while hampers and gifts continue to be an essential tradition, with 26% allocating RM201-RM300.
Conclusion
This year, Malaysians prioritised practical considerations such as cost savings, convenience, and flexible payment methods when shopping for Raya. The rise of e-commerce, social media stores, and cashless transactions has transformed the way consumers approach their festive spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the top considerations for Malaysians when shopping for Raya?
A: Cost savings, convenience, and flexible payment methods are the top considerations for Malaysians when shopping for Raya.
Q: How do Malaysians prefer to shop for Raya clothing?
A: 53% of Malaysians prefer to shop for Raya clothing using e-wallets, while 18% opt for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services.
Q: What is the preferred payment method for Raya purchases?
A: 83% of Malaysians prefer to make Raya purchases using e-commerce platforms such as Shopee.
Q: How many Malaysians set a budget for Raya expenses?
A: 7 in 10 Malaysians set a budget for Raya expenses, with half setting a budget between RM300 and RM500.