The consumption of staple products of fixed income earners in Sabah during the economic downturn

• Main Author: Yeoh, Ei leen
• Format: Research Report
• Language: English; English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sabah 1999
• Subjects: HD Industries. Land use. Labor
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/23487/1/The%20Consumption%20Of%20Staple%20Products%20Of%20Fixed%20Income%20Earners.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/23487/7/The%20Consumption%20Of%20Staple%20Products%20Of%20Fixed%20Income%20Earners.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/23487/

This research paper aims to identify the shift in the purchase of types and brand names of three categories of staples, namely food-at-home, household detergents and personal care products, of fixed income households in Sabah during the economic downturn. Secondly, this paper hopes to distinguish the correlation between factors such as income group, family size, location and the shift in households purchasing pattern for the different categories of staples. The survey instrument is a questionnaire. Respondents from Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and Kudat are drawn using simple random sample within each stratum. Research findings indicate that there is a remarkable shift in the consumption of rice, chicken and fruits between the year 1997 and 1998. Other foodstuff like pork, beef, mutton, condensed milk and cooking oil do not record a significant shift in quantities and brand names. As for household detergents and personal care products except for shampoo and toothpaste, there is no notable change in the purchase of brand names. In relation to the research findings, household purchase of food is found most influenced by income, family size and location. Whereas, the purchase of household detergents and personal care products are affected by income and family size. Therefore, this research shows that the economic downturn has affected the purchasing pattern of certain segments of fixed income households.