Lazada Sold 36,000 Masks In Less Than 48 Hours As Malaysians Rushed To Keep The Haze Away
Air purifiers also sold out within the first 20 hours of the sale.
By May Vin Ang — 19 Sep 2019, 01:59 PM
Over the weekend, Lazada Malaysia sold over 36,000 face masks in under 48 hours during its 'Keep The Haze Away Sale'
The sale was held on Sunday and Monday, 15 and 16 September, when the haze reached a 'Very Unhealthy' level, with API readings of over 230 in many areas across the country.
The 'Keep The Haze Away Sale' was an effort by Lazada to bring down prices of masks and other air quality control products, at a time where demand and prices are soaring.
"Our customers are extremely important to us, and we wanted to do something to help keep Malaysians safe during this time," said Lazada Malaysia chief executive officer, Leo Chow in a statement yesterday, 18 September.
The sale saw 66 times more Malaysians buying from the 'Health Accessories' section on Lazada as the country battles the haze epidemic
In the two days, face mask sales went up by 18 times, compared to normal day sales, at the average discount of up to 56% off normal prices.
Air purifier sales also went up by 10 times, compared to a normal day, with average prices down by 20% from the recommended retail price.
Air purifiers were among the top three most searched for items under the 'Home Appliances' category, with products of this type on the TechMall store on LazMall selling out within the first 20 hours of the sale.
A motorcyclist wears a mask as the haze blankets Kuala Lumpur on 18 September.
Image via theSundailyAs the demand for face masks increase dramatically throughout the country, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has set a ceiling price to stop traders from hiking prices up unreasonably
The maximum price is fixed for five types of face masks under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011:
- N95 face mask at RM100/box or RM6/unit,
- One-ply face mask (ear loop) at RM5/box wholesale or RM7/box retail,
- Two-ply face mask (ear loop) at RM8/box wholesale, RM10/box retail, or 20 sen/unit,
- Three-ply face mask (ear loop/head loop) at RM25/box or 80 sen/unit, and
- Three-ply face mask (tie-on) at RM30/box or 80 sen/unit.
"Face masks are listed as price controlled items," said Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in a statement yesterday, 18 September, reported The Star.
"Those who breach any provisions under the Act for all types of face masks stated will face legal action."
