KUCHING: Lovers are expecting another quiet celebration this year in view of COVID-19 pandemic, however many still make an effort to buy their loved one flowers, teddy bears, other cute gifts or arrange for Valentine’s dinner.
The New Sarawak Tribune conducted a survey at several vendors selling Valentine’s gifts and found that individuals still preferred to buy flowers particularly roses as well as teddy bears for their loved ones.
Anna, owner of Claire Flora Sdn Bhd, who operated a stall at a bus stop here, said that one of the 150cm-tall special stuffed bears is a much sought after item at her stall.
“This big and tall bear cost about RM700,” she said.
She said her stall would normally sell bears that are of good quality.
“We also have other limited edition bears which are hardly found in the market,” she said.
She added that the bears are often imported from China, Japan, aside from the ones they get from a supplier in Kuala Lumpur.
“We used to import Japan’s famous Rilakkuma bear, but because of the high transportation cost, we decided not to sell many of them this year,” she said.
Anna said the price of the teddy bear ranges from RM60 and above and price is set depending on its size and quality.
Commenting on the sales of flowers, she said there were fewer sales of flowers this year due to a shortage in supply.
“There is a shortage of flowers from the exporting countries due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“Plus, there is an increase in flower prices because the flowers are not directly flown into Kuching.
“For instance, we import the flowers from India, and due to COVID-19 there is no direct flight to Kuching, and the flowers have to be transited at another airport before being flown to Kuching. This incurs additional transportation cost,” she said.
She added that the shop also imported roses from countries such as China, Ethiopia and Kenya.
“Thankfully, our customers understand the additional cost that we have to bear and some did not ask for a discount for the flowers that they bought,” she said.
Anna said that her shop has been selling at the same location for the past 10 years. They started selling a stalk of rose for RM10 then, and today it had increased to RM25 per stalk of rose.
Meanwhile, another vendor, Howe Nice Trading Company which is also selling near a bus stop at Mile 3, has sold all kinds of teddy bears this year.
Vanessa Toh, 16, who is helping her parents sell Valentine’s gifts said that this year they are offering three types of teddy bear gifts – flower soap bear, bears in boxes, and bear bouquet.
“Last year we also sold teddy bears, but this year the newest arrangement is the flower soap bear and the bears in boxes,” she said, while adding that her parents have sold at the same spot for more than seven years.
She said a special teddy gift for sale would be the Doraemon bouquets that come with a special box, priced about RM220.
Interestingly, she said that she observed Chinese customers prefer to buy fresh flowers for their loved ones.
“While, native customers prefer to buy teddy bears for their loved ones,” she said with a smile.
Toh added the teddy bears are imported from China while other packaging materials are from Kuching.
“My mother, 11-year-old younger sister and I do the teddy bear arrangement and packaging ourselves,” she said.
Asked about the response from the customers, she said there were a few customers on the first day of the stall’s operation on Feb 12.
“We will be selling until 11am Feb 14, and we are expecting more customers on this day,” she said.
Meanwhile, New Sarawak Tribune spoke to several buyers on the ground and they shared that they were buying the flowers for their wives, children including grandchildren.
A buyer, Santok Dana, 44, said that he bought a teddy bear bouquet for his wife.
“My wife and I have been married for seven years, we are blessed with a five-year-old daughter, and I never miss surprising her with Valentine’s gifts every Feb 14 as it is a special day and I want to show my appreciation and love for her.
“Also, my wife’s birthday falls on Feb 12, so I will be taking my family to dinner to celebrate my wife’s birthday and also Valentine’s Day,” he said.
