NILAI, March 23 (Bernama) -- Once quiet and subdued, the Nilai 3 Wholesale Centre has come alive again as shoppers flood its stores to prepare for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Known for its wide array of affordable goods - from clothing, carpets, and curtains to decorative lights and furniture - Nilai 3 remains a popular destination for nearby residents hunting for festive bargains.
A Bernama check found that the wholesale hub is seeing a surge in visitors, particularly on weekends, as traders report brisk business and rising sales compared to previous months.
Haidar Zulkarnain, 28, who sells women's clothing and hijabs, shared that customers now fill his store almost daily throughout Ramadan.
“Previously, the crowds were only heavy on weekends or public holidays, but this Ramadan, people come every day. Sales have also surged, especially on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, when we can make up to RM10,000 in a day,” he told Bernama.
Haidar, who has been working in Nilai 3 for over four years, noted that shoppers could score better deals by buying in bulk.
“If customers buy three or more pieces, we offer lower prices. That’s why many come with their families for Raya shopping - the more they buy, the cheaper it gets,” he said.
Meanwhile, carpet seller Hassan Ali Khan, 32, said his store has been buzzing since the start of Ramadan, thanks to special discounts for the festive season.
“Before Ramadan, there were fewer buyers, but this month, many people are coming to shop,” he said, adding that Nilai 3 typically draws large crowds only before Hari Raya, while the rest of the year remains relatively quiet.
He added that online sales on platforms like Shopee and TikTok have also surged, with bulk orders from resellers increasing.
Among the eager shoppers was Nursarah Amira Jefri, 25, from Melaka, who visits Nilai 3 yearly with her family for Hari Raya essentials like clothing, hijabs, cookie containers, and carpets.
“My mother loves shopping here because of the low prices, wide selection, and, most importantly, the easy parking,” she shared.
Echoing her sentiment, Mohd Amran Asri, 42, from Selangor, said he didn't mind travelling the distance for the unbeatable prices.
“I don’t mind travelling far just to buy carpets and decorative lights because the prices here are cheaper than in other places,” he said.
-- BERNAMA