Brickfields Deepavali traders turn to TikTok as shoppers shun relocated bazaar

After weeks of slow sales, vendors at the Brickfields Deepavali bazaar are turning to TikTok in a final bid to boost last-minute purchases before the festival. This year, the stalls have been relocated to sturdy marquee tents at the Kompleks Tun Sambanthan car park, a move aimed at mitigating traffic congestion and protecting goods from harsh weather.

However, many traders miss the prime locations along the main road, where they claim their business was more robust. Gunaseelan Subramaniam, a 25-year veteran clothing vendor, lamented that his old spot attracted larger crowds during the day, including many tourists and Malay customers. This year, he struggled to earn even RM1,000 over three days.

To revive sales, he began live-streaming on TikTok, noting that some customers only learned about the bazaar through his videos. Sunita Gill, who has traded at the bazaar since 2022, expressed concern that she might not return next year unless traders are allowed to relocate to their previous sites. She noted that the heat inside the tents discouraged families from visiting and that only a few air coolers were available, making it uncomfortable for shoppers.

Despite Kuala Lumpur City Hall's decision to reduce rent to RM400 per lot and provide sturdy tents, traders like Viswalingam Karuppiah, who sells traditional Indian wear, reported a lack of patronage due to the heat. He too has resorted to TikTok to attract customers, but business remains poor, with few families visiting to try on clothes.

Sunita, a homemaker, echoed similar sentiments, reporting that her kurtis and lenghas have sold only at a meager 10% of last year's earnings. She is unlikely to return to the bazaar unless traders are granted their old spots. Deepavali is celebrated on November 8.