Hello there,

I am attempting to do some market research in order to ascertain the precise criteria that Malaysian women look for when purchasing clothes. From my travels through the busy night markets I have noticed that there is a greater demand for apparels produced in China.


Quality
From my experience I have noticed that to compensate for the low cost these apparels are usually thin and lack quality with respect to material and long term viability. Is this an acceptable sacrifice? Because after you wash your clothes a few times you can begin to notice fade marks and are usually moved from the new drawer to old drawer (yes that is how i sort my clothes)

Style
Do you rely on branding or doe you just look for whatever catches your eyes. For someone who deals with brands I can tell that sometimes they can from time to time come out with a hideous designs that is eventually sold away in a clearance sale or meets its end through incineration.

Does the average Malaysian look for quality or quantity and how would you justify something as reasonable with respect to cost.

I ask these questions is because I run a company that is responsible in providing factory grade-export quality garments to retailers in my country. If you are not sure what the term in bold meant. Normally manufacturing of apparels by large labels are usually outsourced to third world countries and a good number of them don't reach its intended destination due to minor defects such as thread sticking out or dot that is small as you making a full stop on paper. These are what I what people in my line of work classify as A-Grade Rejects and what I do is procure these goods from the factories and sell them to retailers or any interested party. These apparels maintain the quality of the brand and come with a relatively lower cost than what you would normally pay for when you step into its outlet. For example Something that would fetch about RM 80 might be sold for about RM 25 (this is an approximation). Suffice to say I would like to hear your input in order to ascertain if a demand exists?

would be easier for us to answer your Q if it is in questionnaire form

Didn't think one could actually do that.

Use google docs to create your survey and post the link here so one can just click on it, answer it and voila-you have your answers.

It's very hard to say. What's your target market?
Different people have different needs and wants, as well as whether they have available funds to spend on those branded apparels or not. There are also those that are willing to save money to splurge on branded apparels while there are those who do not see the need to do so.

Is what you are dealing with something like what Reject Shop is suppose to be selling?

If you ask me, what I look for in clothes is quality. But it doesn't mean branded apparels will always be of better quality. As long as the price is reasonable in terms of the quality of the apparels, and I like the style, then I'll buy it. I don't really care much about the brand. And if it's really cheap, I'll buy even if the quality isn't that good. For example, when I was in Bangkok, there were shops selling basic tank tops and spag tops for RM2 each, I bought a whole bunch of it even though the quality wasn't that good.

1. Style - Match my taste
2. Quality - Decent material
3. Price - Reasonable

I would say more or less the same, but I have been to the reject shop and the price is very steep.

Yes true. The reject shop here in Malaysia isn't exactly "reject shop" when compared to overseas.

Would anyone know if there are retailers/wholesalers who are willing to procure what i have to offer?

Oh its simple for ladies

Malays: More the amount of clothes the merrier.
Chinese: Less is more
Indians: I got no clue what they like.

1. Size
2. Comfort
3. Style
4. Price

They always looks for best clothes in a reasonable price. They don't compromise on the name of quality. Even though they are strongly concerned about the pair of shoes they wear.

1. style - look nice, flattering to my body
2. size
3. price
4. comfortable