Community Home > News > Community From the Star Online Published: Wednesday September 11, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM Updated: Wednesday September 11, 2013 MYT 9:44:52 AM Most consumers understand need for increase By CHRISTINA LOW, Photos by SAMUEL ONG Although certain food stall operators have increased their prices following the recent fuel price increase, many coffeeshops in Petaling Jaya are still packed with customers during lunch hour. Although certain food stall operators have increased their prices following the recent fuel price increase, many coffeeshops in Petaling Jaya are still packed with customers during lunch hour. WHEN you decide to have lunch at a restaurant these days, make sure your have at least RM20 in your pocket. Living in the city is not cheap and the situation now has become worse after the recent increase in fuel prices. Many food outlet operators have increased the prices of their fare to cover costs and make a living. For instance, Peter Kang who sells Penang Prawn Mee, now charges RM5.50 (small) and RM6 (big) per bowl, a 50sen increase from his previous pricing. “Everything has gone up, from the price of my ingredients to the salary of my workers and my rental,” said the 50-year-old. However, Kang said the increase had not affected his business as his regular customers understood the need for the increase. Peter Kang said it was necessary for him to adjust his pricing as ingredients for Prawn Noodles has also rose in recent months. Kang says it is necessary to adjust pricing. “We are still serving the same portion,” said Kang, who has been selling the noodles for the past 31 years. Kam Hock Aun, who sells fishball kuey teow soup, on the other hand is unsure about increasing his price. “We are still trying to absorb whatever costs we can, but it is not easy,” said Kam, 48, who charges RM5 per bowl. The Penangite said the price of chicken had also increased. Fruit-seller Sunny Teoh said the price of mango, honeydew and guava had increased, even those grown locally. “Customers have this perception that local fruits are cheaper, but the fact is, imported ones cost only a little more,” he said, adding that a slice of local honeydew sold at his stall was RM1.20 while the imported fruit from China cost RM1.50 each. Product trainer, Mici Soo sais she is more cautious now when it comes to spending outside for food. Soo (left) says she is now more cautious when it comes to spending on food. Teoh, 60, said his customers preferred the imported fruit as it tasted sweeter compared to the locally grown variety. “My prices are still quite low. I charge RM1.20 per pack for local fruits and RM1.50 for the imported variety, but some are charging RM1.50 per pack for all fruits,” he added. Retiree Patrick Teoh said eating out had become an expensive affair for senior citizens like him. “I now try to have coffee or tea at home. It is sad because I enjoy having a cuppa while chatting with friends,” he said. Patrick, who was having a cup of Nescafe while his friend John Lee had a hot Teh ‘O’, paid RM3.40 for the two drinks. “You can buy a packet of tea leaves or a bottle of Nescafe if we have another cup each,” said Patrick. Product trainer Mici Soo said she was more cautious now about spending money, especially when eating out. The young people among the working population, however, are not so affected by the price increase. Graphic designer Racheal Loew said she was unsure about the price of coffee or tea that she had been paying at coffeeshops, but that it was considerably cheaper compared to popular coffee chains. Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association chairman Ho Su Mong said coffeeshops were allowed to charge prices that they feel were appropriate to the situation faced. “We cannot set a price for everyone to follow. For instance, the price of coffee in a rural area and the city differs. “Some shops have less overheads to cover, hence they can charge lower prices,” he said when contacted. Ho said when the price of sugar went up, most coffeeshops absorbed the extra cost but were now unable to do so as it involved higher transportation costs. Petaling Jaya Coffee Bar and Restaurant Operators Association chairman Ronnie Kiu Kock Meng said the increase in food prices was not due to the recent fuel price increase but the increasing rental rates. Retiree Patrick Teoh said the price increase at certain coffee shops is a burden for senior citizens like him. Patrick (right) says the price increase at certain coffeeshops is a burden for senior citizens like him. He said this had prompted coffeeshop owners to raise their prices. “Operating a restaurant in Petaling Jaya is not cheap. “You not only have to ensure customers come to your shop, but also make sure you break even at the end of the month. “Rental rates is a killer for everyone,” said Kiu, who operates Restoran Sun Hin Loong Sdn Bhd in SS2, Petaling Jaya. He added that rental rates for a shophouse in Petaling Jaya had increased by 50%. He said renting a corner-lot cost between RM12,000 and RM20,000 a month, depending on the area. “There may be many food outlets in SS2, but only a few stay in business for more than a year,” he added.
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 02:41:50 +0000
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