A hawker's TikTok video highlights the unexpected slowdown in business during the usually bustling holiday season, prompting concerns and discussions among other F&B operators.
One would think that many restaurants and food business es would experience a boom during the holiday season as diners get together for festive meals and gatherings. It's also not uncommon to see snaking queues and longer delivery times at many of these places during the holidays. But one F&B owner's TikTok video has shed light on a starkly different reality for some in the month of December — slow business for heartland hawkers.
'I really hate the month of December,' wrote Lim Hwee Yi, a 26-year-old hawker in her TikTok post on Sunday (Dec 22). She is currently working full-time at her parents' porridge business, Botak Cantonese Porridge, which 'Business is so slow, it's honestly a little scary,' she admitted. Although the 26-year-old's mother had been supportive and reassured her that 'December is always like this' because many people are away on holiday, she still couldn't help but 'feel uneasy'. 'Am I doing something wrong? Did I fail to maintain the quality, causing customers to leave?' Hwee Yi's sentiments also struck a chord with other F&B operators. Many of them expressed that this December has indeed been slow and they've been facing the same concerns. 'In the past, December used to be a peak season for Christmas cakes but this year it's so, so quiet. I'm not sure if it's the entire market or just us. I'm constantly worried,' a commenter wrote. Another commenter said: 'From a customer's point of view, December is definitely a slow month for hawkers with people going on holidays and gatherings, prompting them to cook or eat at home instead.' 'Where is this? I'll come down with my friends' a commenter asked — to which Hwee Yi replied with a stitched video. Expressing gratitude for the 'overwhelming support', she ended off the video with an encouraging message for her fellow hawkers and business owners
Hawkers Food Business December Slowdown Holiday Season F&B Industry
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