Lotus’s Malaysia and HDC to uplift local Halal products through Make Halal Your First Choice campaign

KUALA LUMPUR: Lotus's Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Lotus's Malaysia) and Halal Development Corporation (HDC) collaborate in the ‘Make Halal Your First Choice’ campaign, a programme under the 2022 Budget Initiative, to increase the marketability of Malaysian-made Halal products.

The campaign aims to seek the consumer interest and trust in high-quality, low-cost local and halal-certified products produced by homegrown Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), featuring 389 lines of food and non-food grocery items from 71 of its partnering SMEs in all 64 Lotus's stores nationwide from April to July 2022.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs deputy minister Datuk Rosol Wahid officiated the event earlier today, which was attended by Halal Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Hairol Ariffein Sahari and Lotus's Malaysia president Kenneth Chuah at Lotus's Ampang.

Chuah said halal had become more than just a religious statement but also reflected the products’ quality.

“In this dynamic retail environment that heavily depends on consumer preference, quality and affordability have become key factors that influence their purchases.

“While retailers like Lotus’s continue to be a platform for SMEs to advance their businesses, it is also important that local producers equip themselves with the right skills and capability to produce quality and competitively priced products to help them rebuild and sustain their businesses after the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Chuah said during his opening speech.

Meanwhile, Hairol said the campaign was one of their efforts to encourage SMEs to incorporate Halal as a value proposition or added value to their respective business activities.

“We hope this campaign will foster a ‘halal first’ mindset in this country, making halal products a top choice in their daily lives for consumers,” he said.

Lotus's also mentioned at the launch that they have confidence in the capabilities and qualities of local SME producers because 90 per cent of its three thousand Lotus's own brand items were purchased and made locally, including a range of halal-certified food products and oral care.

The corporation also recognised its role in ensuring that local SMEs, which were vital pillar of economic growth, could grow and thrive.

In addition to stocking SME items in all of its locations, Lotus's collaborates with them on product development, pricing and marketing strategies, and product packaging enhancements.

Lotus's supported the campaign with efforts such as product incentives, in-store messaging, media advertising, and product samplings to encourage customers to shop for Halal products at their outlets or on Lotus's website.