Ramadan is a holy month of fasting and spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide, including more than 60% of Malaysians. During this month, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and engage in various religious activities, such as prayers, charity, and spending time with family and friends. Ramadan is also a significant period to boost sales in businesses, particularly those in Muslim-majority countries like Malaysia.
People tend to consume and purchase more during Ramadan. Merchants, restaurants, retail stores, and other places offering after-iftar programmes—the breaking of the fast—will see higher profit margins since 78% of people support local businesses. To help your business grow even further, this article will explore seven effective ways for businesses to boost sales during Ramadan.
1. Offer Ramadan promotions and discounts
Offering promotions and discounts is an effective way to attract customers during Ramadan. Over 90% of Muslims typically break their fast with iftar, often shared with family and friends. Businesses can take advantage of this by offering buy-one-get-one-free offers, discounted bundle deals, or gifts with purchases.
2. Create Ramadan-themed products and packaging
People will start looking for Ramadan-related items, especially for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations. So, another effective way to appeal to Muslim customers to boost sales is by creating Ramadan-themed products and packaging.
You can offer dates, which is traditionally eaten to break the fast; to prayer mats and lanterns that are commonly used during Ramadan. Additionally, businesses can create special packaging that features Ramadan greetings or designs, such as crescent moons and stars.
3. Increase social media and online presence
Many Muslims spend more time online during Ramadan, browsing social media and shopping online. In 2020, online retail sales saw a 50% increase in the third week of the holy month.
If you are already on social media, take advantage of this by creating Ramadan-themed content, such as posts featuring iftar recipes or daily reminders of the importance of charity during Ramadan. As a 28% increase happened in Malaysia for recipes and video tutorial searches, you can insert relevant hashtags in your content, such as #RamadanMubarak or #EidMubarak.
4. Extend business hours
Muslims typically break their fast in the evening, so they may prefer to shop or dine out later at night. Businesses can extend their hours by opening earlier in the morning or staying open later at night. This can be particularly effective in boosting sales for restaurants and cafes, which can offer special iftar menus and extended dining hours.
5. Partner with local mosques and organisations
Many mosques hold iftar events, which businesses can sponsor or provide food for. Businesses can offer donations to local charities or organise fundraisers to support those in need during Ramadan. These partnerships can help businesses to build relationships with the Muslim community and increase brand awareness.
6. Personalise customer experiences
By personalising their customer experiences, customers will be able to feel appreciated. For example, businesses can offer customised gift wrapping or personalised messages on products to make customers feel appreciated.
More importantly, try offering personalised recommendations or special services to customers based on their preferences or needs as well. Personalising customer experiences can help businesses boost sales by standing out from competitors.
7. Focus on excellent customer service
Even though 91.7% of Malaysians are actively using social media and the Internet to find information, word-of-mouth marketing is still crucial for promoting a business. However, Ramadan is a busy and often stressful time for Muslims, so they may be more sensitive to poor customer service.
Businesses can train their staff to be more patient and understanding during busy periods, such as iftar and Eid al-Fitr. Businesses can also offer special services, such as delivery or pick-up, to boost sales.
There are many effective ways for businesses to boost sales during Ramadan in Malaysia. Businesses must focus on excellent customer service, from offering Ramadan promotions and discounts to personalising customer experiences. That way, businesses can attract more customers and build stronger relationships with them. We encourage businesses to implement these strategies and wish them success in boosting their sales during Ramadan and beyond.