24/03/2025

LYFE MONDAY | MAR 24, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

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Key Raya shopping trends among Malaysians this year

W HILE family gatherings and gifting remain central to Hari Raya Aidilfitri, practical considerations such as cost savings, convenience and flexible payment methods are driving purchasing behaviour this year, according to a recent survey by market research and data analytics company Milieu Insight. The survey polled 501 Malaysians over the age of 16, revealing key insights into consumer behaviour in the run-up to the Raya festive season, highlighting trends in shopping, dining and spending habits. Rise of digital payments, social commerce Malaysians are increasingly embracing cashless transactions for their clothes, with 53% opting for e-wallets over cash, citing convenience and security. BNPL (buy now, pay later) services are gaining traction, with 18% of consumers opting for them, particularly younger shoppers seeking financial flexibility. E-commerce dominates Raya shopping, with 83% favouring Shopee for festive essentials. The rise of social media shops such as TikTok Shop reflects a growing preference (33%) for social commerce, where interactive live shopping experiences may influence purchase decisions. Trends influencing Raya 2025 shopping decisions When it comes to shopping for Raya clothing, 36% of consumers start in March, with another 23% beginning as early as January or February. Interestingly, 18% have already purchased everything they need and 22% are choosing to reuse existing outfits instead of purchasing new ones. While many shoppers remain loyal to their go-to brands, 38% of Malaysians are open to trying new brands this Raya. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger demographics, with 48% of Gen Z shoppers expressing interest in exploring new options. However, 37% prefer to stick with familiar brands, while 25% have no strong preference. The study also highlights a strong preference for local brands, with 60% of Malaysians choosing to buy from homegrown businesses over overseas alternatives. This trend reflects growing support for local craftsmanship, cultural authenticity and economic sustainability. With only 8% favouring overseas brands, businesses have an opportunity to WHETHER listening to learn, for entertainment or simply to relax, podcasts have become a true daily companion for Generation Z. While younger people are generally fond of video, a recent study has found 76% of Gen Z prefer audio-only formats, going against the general trend. YouTube may be the preferred platform for podcast listeners in the US, but Gen Z are an exception, it seems. According to a study carried out by Transistor.fm among over 100 podcast listeners aged 13 to 29, 56% of Gen Z use Spotify to access their audio programmes. This percentage

o Shift towards digital, budget-conscious spending

Family gatherings and gifting remain central to Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Budget-conscious spending is becoming more prevalent among Malaysians.

The survey indicates a good number of Malaysians begin their Raya shopping this year in January and February.

E-wallets are favoured by Malaysians to make purchases.

What this means for businesses For brands and retailers, the key to winning over Malaysian consumers this Raya lies in digital-first strategies. Businesses should prioritise early-bird promotions, seamless e-commerce experiences,

strengthen their connection with Malaysian consumers by emphasising local heritage and quality. With a clearer focus on budgeting, Malaysians are prioritising quality over quantity in their Raya

expenditures. Clothing remains a significant expense, with 25% of shoppers setting aside RM101 to RM200 for new outfits. Hampers and gifts continue to be an essential tradition, with 26% allocating RM201 to RM300.

and flexible payment options such as BNPL to meet evolving consumer expectations. With more Malaysians shopping online and supporting local brands, companies that align with these trends will have a competitive edge.

Gen Z prefer Spotify as podcast platform

is up on 2021, when only 47% opted for the Swedish streaming platform. While Spotify takes the lead, YouTube has seen its number of Gen Z listeners rise from 10% in 2021 to 21% today. Google’s platform continues to attract video fans, with 52% of its users admitting to watching video podcasts at least once in a while, if not all the time. More popular with an older audience, Apple Podcasts is less appealing to younger users. Only 10% of them choose the Apple platform, compared to 16% four years ago. Despite the rise of TikTok and

YouTube Shorts, Gen Z seem to favour podcasts in their purest form: audio only. While 76% of them prefer to listen to audio-only podcasts, only 6% mainly consume video podcasts. In addition, 59% of Gen Z listen to their podcasts at home, whether on their smartphone or tablet. It is the ideal place to multitask, without necessarily being glued to a screen. The car attracts 9% of young podcast listeners, while 12% listen while on public transport. A further 10% take advantage of their walks or bike rides to listen to their favourite podcasts. This trend was also highlighted in the latest Edison Research report. – ETX Studio

Despite the rise of TikTok and YouTube Shorts, Gen Z seem to favour podcasts in their purest form: audio only. – PEXELSPIC