TUKAR: Making a Difference

 

jom TUKAR

Participating in TUKAR (Small Retailer Transformation Programme) is a decision that 519 store owners around Malaysia will not regret, including Jessica Wong, a 42-year-old single mother who manages a sundry shop in Bandar Bukit Puchong. The CBC is an initiative by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to provide broadband Internet access service to underserved rural areas.

In April 2011, she decided to join the pioneer programme and within weeks, saw her weekly revenue increase from RM20,000 to RM29,000. The TUKAR programme was initiated in January 2011 to aid sundry shops increase their competitiveness through the adoption of modern technology and efficient business processes.

With the guidance and help of Mohamad Harith De Souza Abdullah, Tesco’s commercial project manager, the shop was transformed from a dimly-lit sundry store to an attractive and brightly-lit retail outlet. What used to be a disorganised store became modern and systematic in just 10 days after Harith’s advice.

She also received advice on improving efficiency of the shop by changing its layout and operating systems, preparing planograms and revamping the management of stocks in the store.

TUKAR was also a life-changing experience for Mrs. Francisca Jeyanthan who inherited a sundry shop from her father in Merlimau. She was on the verge of giving up the business as revenues were low, making her unsure if she would be able to manage it for much longer. TUKAR transformed her store beyond recognition.

"Before the transformation, Pasar Mini Bandar Baru Merlimau was an old-fashioned sundry shop that made between RM1,000 and RM1,900 a day. With the guidance of Mydin, it is now an efficient and wellorganised mini mart with increased sales of up to RM3,000 a day," said Francisca.

"The refrigerator was seven years old and we only had a cement floor. This was replaced with mosaic tiles, new and safe electrical wiring in the shop, shiny new racks, new appliances and our goods rearranged to be more attractive. I am forever grateful to this programme," Francisca said.

The government has allocated RM30 million for the programme in 2011. The retailers are offered soft loans between RM20,000 and RM60,000 with a 15-year repayment period.

TUKAR will eventually see 5,000 outlets transformed and modernised throughout the country by 2020.