Local brands gaining appeal among Gen Ys

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Irwan (centre) with KK Legasi bazaar crew, holding a digital-poster promoting both Raya Raya Bazaar and Raya Oh Yeah Bazaar at Suria Sabah in conjunction with the Hari Raya Festival.

Irwan (centre) with KK Legasi bazaar crew, holding a digital-poster promoting both Raya Raya Bazaar and Raya Oh Yeah Bazaar at Suria Sabah in conjunction with the Hari Raya Festival.

KOTA KINABALU: The recent findings about made-in-Malaysia products featuring prominently in the lifestyles of the country’s Gen Y-ers, is one of the most important reasons why more efforts should be made to promote local brands.

Founder of KK Legasi, Irwan Iswandy, said despite the presence of global brands in Sabah, especially in shopping complexes around Kota Kinabalu, home grown brands are able to hold up well and remain a preference for many.

KK Legasi is one of the pioneers of pop up booth, or bazaar in the city, with five years experience organizing monthly indoor and outdoor bazaars.

“Gen Ys, being defined as those aged between 21 and 31, make up most of the visitors to our bazaar, which is always participated by local entrepreneurs who produce their own products and services.

“Many younger consumers are aware and familiar with these home-grown brands or made in Malaysia products as many of these products enjoy good coverage and advertising in the local media.

“As for products from Sabah, they are still depending on the social media, but it is still accessible to the consumers because we are almost 24/7 attached to our gadgets,” he said.

On the latest findings, the 2016 Malaysia’s Gen Y’s Top Brands study revealed that made in Malaysia products and home-grown Malaysia brands are significant in the lifestyles of a majority of respondents.

This trend is consistently reflected in Malaysian Gen Y’s selection across multiple categories, from their choice of car, restaurants to daily consumables such as coffee and biscuits.

Irwan, when asked to comment on the findings, said the potential of local products was huge, but they needed support from everyone, not only the Gen Ys, but also the older generation.

“Previously, we only organized a bazaar for our local entrepreneurs during festive season, but the demand keeps increasing. Today, we are trying to have the platform once a month.

“Most of our local brands are marketed online, because they just started, so it is hard for them to climb up to compete with the international brands in store.

“Bazaars are the best platform to introduce their products, and we are confident that Sabahans are aware of the importance of supporting quality local brands,” he said.

Irwan further explained that they never conducted any studies on the shopping trends, but the recent findings seemed to fit to the situation in Sabah, especially in Kota Kinabalu.

He also said the younger generation displayed a general sense of loyalty towards local brands such as food and beverages, clothing, accessories and beauty services.

“Made in Sabah products such as Majeedah Wraps (clothing), Cabrine Solibun Art (beauty), Ice Pan by Candyland (home-made ice cream) and Bubble Dreams (accessories) are among the top brands that are currently in high demand, and we will continue giving these brands the place to grow bigger,” he added.

KK legasi will be organizing two upcoming bazaars in Suria Sabah shopping mall, in conjunction with the Hari Raya Festival.

The first event, Raya Raya Bazaar will be held for three days this weekend from June 24 – 26 at the Lower Ground, Suria Sabah from 10am to 10pm.

Meanwhile, the second event, Raya Oh Yeah Bazaar is also a three-day bazaar at the same place and time from July 1 – 3.

“We are hoping more people will come and support this event because it is going to be a one-stop for Hari Raya shopping because more than 80 vendors are participating in both bazaars.

“As we said, most of the vendors are selling local products and they are bringing more variety to the consumers in Kota Kinabalu, or even those who are coming from all over Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei to support us,” Irwan concluded.