Since last year, the local F&B industry has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. F&B operators need to respond quickly to the rapid changes of new rules relating to the operating hours and the restriction on dine-in customers by modifying and adapting their businesses to suit new market demands. However, their major concern is to try and stay afloat – rather than making money.
Despite the MCO, CMCO, RMCO and the new norm, F&B operators still need to pay up the monthly rental and their businesses cannot carry on when the MCO was first implemented – where dining in restaurants became impossible. If it is prolonged, more F&B could face dead end.
Even though F&B operators are now allowed customers to dine-in, it is still not enough for them as the fact that many people are still working from home and most of the office buildings are still empty. F&B operators had to pivot or be creative to ensure their businesses stay afloat.
Co-founder espressolab, Joshua Liew said his business has changed dramatically since the first MCO
Joshua Liew, co-founder of Espressolab Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd – a chain of specialty coffee outlets is one of the affected F&B operators where his business has changed dramatically since the first MCO. Espressolab has suffered as most of the outlets are in corporate office environments. The retail sales are declining and he had to be creative in order to help his business bounce back.
As one of the earliest players in specialty coffee in Malaysia, Joshua has seen all ups and downs but the pandemic is the worst of all. He had to defer or reduce his staff salaries and promise will compensate them when business improves. Besides, he had not taken salary since the business is not doing great.
However, he knew he can’t just see all these happened. So Joshua came up with new product espressolab Steepbru Coffee sachets – delivered straight to consumers’ homes.
“Please help my company go through this difficult period”
Producing new product is not enough and he has to think of creative ways to promote it. Thanks to Kravve.co – an online platform where consumers can shop for locally-handmade Malaysian delicacies, Joshua leverage the online platform to promote the product.
The post was posted on 24 February on Kravve.co and it has garnered 3.3K likes, 505 comments and 2.3K shares. Just within 24 hours, he managed to sell over 1,668 boxes of coffee and received a lot of well wishes supporting his effort.
He aims to sell 10,000 boxes of coffee
“More people have called , total strangers who told me they have read about the shared post, and they want to support just so to see a Malaysian brand survive and thrive. For those of you who called, I am very encouraged and also thankful!”
He was overwhelmed by all the support he has received and he hopes he can achieve his target. For those interested in purchasing can get the details from Liew’s FB Post.
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