Cover image via @khairykj (Instagram)Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
This Spotlight is sponsored by Mamee.
Rising living costs have made grocery shopping feel very different for many households lately
For some families, even a regular supermarket run now involves budgeting more carefully than before.
People are comparing prices more closely, looking out for better value deals, and paying closer attention to which brands are still trying to keep products affordable.
Recently, Khairy Jamaluddin also joined the conversation after making his own supermarket visit. He took a closer look at how certain household brands are responding to rising living costs and the growing pressure faced by everyday consumers.
During one of his Kedai Runcit walkthroughs, Khairy noticed something interesting in the snack aisle
As he moved through the shelves comparing products, he came across several Mamee items that were still offering extra quantity promotions and value bundles, even as rising prices continued to affect many everyday grocery items.
He first picked up a pack of Mister Potato chips and noticed it came with extra quantity at the same price. Next, he spotted the Mister Potato canister, which also offered additional weight while remaining affordably priced on shelves.
He then came across Mamee instant noodles, which was running a "buy 5, get 1 free" promotion.
Across these finds, what stood out was how some products were still focused on adding value for consumers amid broader cost pressures in the market.
This topic was also explored further during an episode of KJ's podcast Keluar Sekejap featuring Mamee group CEO Pierre Pang
The segment focused on the realities behind maintaining affordable pricing in today's market. According to Pierre, rising shipping costs, ingredient prices, logistics, and operational expenses have significantly impacted food manufacturers in recent years.
Instead of reducing product sizes or passing every increase directly to consumers, he shared that the company focused on improving operational efficiency and investing in automation to help absorb part of the rising costs internally.
He also revealed that Mamee has invested around RM400 million into factory automation and logistics improvements over the years, while continuing to maintain affordability across several everyday products.
Among some of the value-driven products highlighted during these supermarket visits were:
- Corntoz and Double Decker
- Selected Mister Potato promotions featuring additional quantity and value bundles
Taken together, these observations reflect a wider shift in how Malaysians are now viewing everyday groceries
In a time when weekly grocery runs feel increasingly expensive, even small value additions such as extra quantity, bundled packs, or unchanged pricing are starting to stand out more to consumers. These subtle differences are becoming more noticeable as shoppers pay closer attention to what each brand is offering on the shelves.
At the same time, ongoing conversations suggest that consumers are more aware of which products continue to prioritise value and accessibility in their everyday essentials.
Watch the full conversation with Pierre Pang on Keluar Sekejap.
Got some cool brand news to share?
Take a look at all of our Spotlight stories to date here.
