SHAH ALAM: Lotuss Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Lotus's Malaysia), together with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affair (MDTCA), launched the Buy Malaysia Campaign 2022 to instil patriotism and pride amongst Malaysians toward homegrown products.
Deputy Minister of Malaysia Domestic Trade and Consumer Affair's Yang Berhormat Datuk Rosol bin Wahid launched the Buy Malaysia Campaign 2022 at Lotus's Shah Alam on September 15.
He was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of Halal Development Corporation Hairol Ariffein Sahari and President of Lotus's Malaysia Kenneth Chuah.
To support the growth and development of local homegrown brands, Lotus's commits to supporting, transforming, enhancing and encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through vigorous business to business (B2B) programmes.
Chuah said, "Apart from being a platform for local producers to gain market access to advance their businesses, we also supply local small-operated businesses or your neighbourhood kedai runcit with bulk items at competitive pricing.
"To date, we have over 900 kedai runcit subscribing to this convenience and our efforts to enlarge this reach will continue."
Chuah added that Lotus's SME Support Team is always looking for potential suppliers by working closely with MDTCA and other government agencies, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) and the Halal Development Corporation (HDC).
To help raise the marketability of locally-manufactured products from 95 SME partners, Lotus's will also be conducting initiatives from now until December 2022.
These initiatives include media engagements, in-store communication, promotions and product samplings to gain consumer interest and trust for quality, affordable local products.
Currently, consumers can enjoy over 800 local products, 400 of which are halal-certified across all 64 stores nationwide.
"As a retailer, we have confidence in the capabilities and qualities of our SME partners. This is evident as 90 per cent of over three thousand Lotus's Own Brand items are sourced and manufactured locally and many have become our customers' all-time favourites," explained Chuah.
Forming part of the programme are 15 of 95 Lotus's partnering SMEs and five non-governmental organisations (NGOs) together with social enterprises who are allocated space to sell and promote their products and cause to consumers.
To show appreciation and recognition of these homegrown brands and products, Lotus's, together with the Ministry and HDC, awarded ten companies with the Best Lotus's SME Suppliers award and three SMEs with the Best New Lotus's SME award.
Lotus's also awarded five companies with the Top Performing HALAL SME during the Make Halal Your First Choice Campaign in collaboration with HDC.
In line with its #KitakanJiran spirit and to encourage the good work conducted by the NGOs and social enterprises, Lotus's also contributed vouchers worth RM500 to those participating in the launch of the Buy Malaysia Campaign 2022.
Besides that, Lotus's shared that it is embarking on a new programme that aims to develop and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.
These entrepreneurs of modern small retail outlets will gain expertise and knowledge of the retail industry through Lotus's sharing.
The retailer hopes to provide local suppliers with wider market access as well as help more local business owners to operate profitably.
On top of that, the retailer launched its Fiesta Nusantara Bersama Lotus's event, which begins from now until year-end.
The event brings 80 local entrepreneurs from across the state to promote delicacies, arts and crafts, accessories, fashion wear and beauty care products to consumers at four outlets – Lotus's Ampang, Lotus's Rawang, Lotus's Semenyih and Lotus's Shah Alam.
To further support the country's economic growth, Lotus's is also providing more employment opportunities to Malaysians via its Kru Ceria recruitment drive.
The retailer emphasises the value of creating a diversified and inclusive working culture by hiring senior citizens, people with disabilities and people under parole.
It believes everyone should be given a fair chance to work and earn a livelihood.
Besides that, the retailer will continue introducing new Lotus's stores in various formats, offering competitive pricing to wider consumers and creating more employment opportunities.
It hopes that consumers will see them not only as the preferred shopping destination that provides value, quality and affordable goods, but also as a caring neighbour within the community that supports the nation's sustainable growth.
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