The_King Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 SINGAPORE - In her first week selling traditional and casual outfits for women and children at the Ramadan bazaar in Wisma Geylang Serai, Ms Ereen had to display older collections of clothes as new stock had not arrived from Malaysia. She was confirmed for a booth only about a week before April 2, the first day of the festive fair. Compounded by slower shipments due to the ongoing global supply chain disruption, she currently has only 50 to 60 per cent of the apparel needed to stock her booth. Ms Ereen, who declined to reveal her full name, said her first batch of new stock arrived only late last week. Business is also slower than in the years before the pandemic, said Ms Ereen, who is in her third year at the bazaar. "Two weeks in, business at our stall, Truffles&Cookie, has seen a drop of 40 per cent compared with the same period in previous years. But we are optimistic about this long (Good Friday and Easter) weekend," she said. While vendors are relieved that bazaars have made a return after a two-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic, stallholders have been struggling to keep their businesses optimal amid supply chain woes, higher rents and increased food and oil prices. Some vendors also said they had to rush to set up their booths and secure equipment and supplies, as their bids for stall space were confirmed only a week before the bazaars opened. According to government procurement portal GeBiz, the People's Association awarded the tender for the running of the Geylang Serai bazaar to Orange Travel on March 23 - less than two weeks before its start. At the Ang Mo Kio Central pasar malam (night market), Ramly burger stall owner Zain Abdul Rahin said his booth was confirmed only two days before the night market opened on April 9. It was a rush for him to secure key items like patties and buns. Previously, stalls would have a month's lead time to prepare, he added. The Original Vadai is one of the more popular food stalls at the Geylang Serai bazaar, with snaking queues and some of its snacks being sold out early. Still, its director Stephen Suriyah said margins have been hit by soaring oil and flour prices. Ingredient prices have surged worldwide due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. "In 2021, I used to buy a tin of cooking oil for $21. Today, the same cooking oil costs up to $52. Cooking oil is one of our highest used raw materials, and we use at least 150 tins a week. "We have to increase food prices slightly just to stay afloat and earn a little," he said, adding that he had to raise the price of his snacks such as the popular prawn vadai by 50 per cent. People queueing for food at the Woodlands Ramadan Bazaar, on April 15, 2022. ST PHOTO: SAMUEL ANG Close to 100,000 people have visited the Geylang Serai bazaar, said the fair's organiser Wisma Geylang Serai on Thursday. The bazaar was expanded on Thursday by 30 more booths, bringing the total number of stalls to 70. Stall owners have also been grappling with high rent. Ms Ereen said rent for lifestyle stalls like hers is currently between $7,000 and $9,000, while the rent before was $1,000 to $2,000 lower. Rental for food stalls has also gone up. Mr Zain's rent at the Ang Mo Kio pasar malam is $20,000, a 10 per cent increase from previous years. People at the Ang Mo Kio pasar malam on April 15, 2022. ST PHOTO: SAMUEL ANG Ms Indah Nabielah, owner of beef ribs and steak shop T Bob's Corner at the Geylang Serai bazaar, said: "The organisers told us the cost of everything went up too, such as diesel for generators and tentage costs. And more security, barriers and ushers are needed for crowd control." Mr Hamzah Abdullah, owner of John Jee, a new entrant selling roti john and finger food at the Kampong Glam bazaar, noted that the booth rents are on the higher side this year, while egg prices have risen due to inflation. But he still decided to set up a stall to promote his brand. "The Kampong Glam bazaar is located in the heart of Singapore where the crowd consists of different races, and it is good exposure for us." As at Thursday (April 14), six temporary fair permits have been approved, said the Singapore Food Agency. These include those for the Kampong Glam bazaar, and pasar malams in Ang Mo Kio Central and Clementi Central. A new bazaar set up on a field next to Woodlands MRT station started operations on Friday, and will run till May 2. On Friday evening, snaking queues extended out of the large white tentage as customers waited to get hold of pasar malam staples such as Ramly burgers, vadai and otah. People playing a carnival game at a bazaar in Woodlands on April 15, 2022. ST PHOTO: SAMUEL ANG Carnival games, a durian stall and shops selling clothes, household items and accessories were also housed in the market. Mini carnival rides were being set up on the field next to the tent. Before the pandemic hit, Syafiqah Amir, 16, said her family would make yearly trips to Johor Baru's Pasar Karat bazaar during Ramadan to stock up on food, Malay kueh and cosmetics. All their passports have expired, but they have no immediate plans to renew them, said Syafiqah, who was waiting in line for apam balik (pancake with ground peanut) at the bazaar. This Ramadan, her family will continue visiting Geylang Serai and some of the heartland night markets to get into the festive spirit, she said. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_King Posted April 16, 2022 Author Share Posted April 16, 2022 till now, i nv go once before after looking at those overprice IG food Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbird Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 I like going t o geylang serai in the past because can check out many jambu minahs! When there last week day and there's really not compelling. I guess it attracts kum gong kia to spend. Looks like i not KGK enough! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socrates469bc Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 bodoh many many until limpeh tak tahu cakap apa apa. those bodohs never hear of shopee meh??????? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_King Posted April 16, 2022 Author Share Posted April 16, 2022 4 minutes ago, socrates469bc said: bodoh many many until limpeh tak tahu cakap apa apa. those bodohs never hear of shopee meh??????? shhh dont be so open la. let those carrot head get chop la 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbird Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 25 minutes ago, socrates469bc said: bodoh many many until limpeh tak tahu cakap apa apa. those bodohs never hear of shopee meh??????? Ah yo......! Old people like to go for the mood lah!!! Chinese also go Chinatown for CNY to get chop what! Tio boh??? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaur4man Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 i never go before in my life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbird Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 (edited) 11 hours ago, aaur4man said: i never go before in my life CNY chinatown did u go before? If yes, then is same same but different! Something like this...... Feminist do not enter!! Please sign in or sign up for an account to view this content. Edited April 17, 2022 by Bigbird 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_King Posted April 18, 2022 Author Share Posted April 18, 2022 CHOP carrot https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1347390385737286 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socrates469bc Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 On 4/16/2022 at 11:36 PM, Bigbird said: Ah yo......! Old people like to go for the mood lah!!! Chinese also go Chinatown for CNY to get chop what! Tio boh??? limpeh is old man but also buy crocodile singlets and tat sing slippers online liao. wahahahahahahahha 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbird Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 9 hours ago, The_King said: CHOP carrot https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1347390385737286 I went there recently liao when only the pasar malam beside the Geylang serai new Expensive bldge is! Really very boring and expensive. exited in 3 mins! Now i think there's a new row extension up to Tanjong Katong Complex. Have seen this new add on yet! See got minah chio me go a not! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_King Posted April 18, 2022 Author Share Posted April 18, 2022 5 minutes ago, Bigbird said: I went there recently liao when only the pasar malam beside the Geylang serai new Expensive bldge is! Really very boring and expensive. exited in 3 mins! Now i think there's a new row extension up to Tanjong Katong Complex. Have seen this new add on yet! See got minah chio me go a not! their rental so expensive, confirm someone have to pay for all these. with ecom anything get online is so much cheaper 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbird Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 1 hour ago, socrates469bc said: limpeh is old man but also buy crocodile singlets and tat sing slippers online liao. wahahahahahahahha If u "Uncle" then i think u quite famous in chinatown liao! Sure got people call u Lao ban! Macham like Gang Boss when u go there! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbird Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 1 minute ago, The_King said: their rental so expensive, confirm someone have to pay for all these. with ecom anything get online is so much cheaper SG got many 61% Roberts! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socrates469bc Posted April 24, 2022 Share Posted April 24, 2022 On 4/18/2022 at 10:57 PM, Bigbird said: If u "Uncle" then i think u quite famous in chinatown liao! Sure got people call u Lao ban! Macham like Gang Boss when u go there! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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