Four weeks into the MCO and counting, Netizens are divided on the extension period while businesses are rushing to apply for benefits and approval to resume operations in this period. The 4th edition of this study covers chatter surrounding the second MCO extension, business sectors being allowed to resume operations, highlights essential industries’ performance, and top trending topics among Netizens during this period.
The announcement of a second MCO extension on 10th of April was not surprising to the majority of the public. While Netizens are debating over the extension period, business owners are focused on the additional business sectors allowed to operate during the MCO. The resumption of these business sectors are aimed to help sustain the country’s economy post Covid-19. However, the application process is fraught with unanswered inquiries and complaints due to the lack of communication and preparations. Meanwhile, essential businesses and online services in operations since the beginning of the MCO have seen consistent increase in chatter and sales.
In this edition of the study done by Wisesight, four of these essential businesses and online services selected, namely Hypermarket, FMCG, e-Wallets, and Online Shopping Platforms were observationally analysed through engagement trends indicated on social media. The analysis reveals how these businesses adapted to sustain operations during the MCO, as well as the trend in communications both from brands and consumers.
Wisesight’s Founder and regional director of APAC, Shakthi DC said, “The current changes will determine the new way businesses operate. This is an opportunity for us to study and learn from industry players, reading into the factors determining a successful strategy, how to stay relevant while remaining practical amidst the changes. The social data gathered also reveals the potential concerns and solutions which can be beneficial for other industries heading in the same direction.”
She added, “The changes happening now will trigger a chain reaction, affecting other industries and significant lifestyle changes. Going at it alone may not necessarily be the best way forward for businesses, regardless of being deemed as essential services or not. Organisations need to explore the viability of collaborating with other businesses to collectively sustain and stabilise the economic ecosystem. The paradigm lifestyle shift encountered by people and businesses in effect now will likely survive long after the pandemic, changing how society interacts with businesses. From being acutely aware of hygiene risks, reduced physical contact, adapting to cashless transactions and increasing preference towards virtual interactions. At this point it’s stating the obvious, businesses that fail to innovate and adapt will not sustain and simply cease to be.”
Wisesight details the events from 8th – 14th April analysing the reactions and impact of these changes in comparison to findings from the previous weeks. The latest study includes:
- The 2nd MCO Extension announcement and Netizens’ reactions.
- Permission for selected non-essential sectors to resume operations.
- Top Malaysians’ concerns over the past four weeks.
- Current trending topics Malaysians shared online.
- Essential Industries’ performance during the MCO (Hypermarkets, FMCG, Online Shopping Platforms and e-Wallets).
- Best practice recommendations for Brands content strategy.
- Case Study – Organisations reacting to the changes in consumer behaviour is one thing, but ensuring businesses have planned through the operational processes involved is critical as consumers’ interest window has shortened and due to increase in social media consumption, negative reviews at present result in higher negative exposure.
- Other stories of key interest among Malaysians during the period analysed.
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