Shopping at the last minute during festive seasons is part and parcel of Malaysian society, especially city dwellers.

What is surprising though, is that Muslims are still shopping on the second day of Aidilfitri.

A Bernama survey at shopping complexes in the city centre found them taking advantage of the availability of better bargains than before Raya.

For restaurant waitress Rozita Salleh, 36, moments like these should not be missed as prices are even lower than before the start of the festive season.

"I saw so many discounts...this is the perfect time to buy, not only for myself but for my parents and siblings, as well," she told Bernama here yesterday.

At the Sogo Complex, clothing and household appliances were on sale at 80 per cent discount. Many shoppers took advantage of the discounts and stock clearance sales offered after Raya as they felt their money should be wisely utilised.

Moreover, it was easier to shop without any traffic congestion and swollen crowd in the shopping centres as most people had returned to their hometowns for Raya.

Also, the Diwali sales have begun and people were taking the opportunity to prepare early.

J. Shameeni, 22, who sells modern clothes in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman with her mother, said it was the right opportunity to carry out the family trade before Diwali.