Ramadan raises business challenges

The holy month of Ramadan begins this week, which usually means a busy period for supermarkets and shops, which try to cater for the last minute rush of people stocking up on food and other goods.

But this year Ramadan begins much earlier and falls right in the middle of school holidays and the traditionally quiet month of August when many locals and expats travel overseas to cooler climates.

Retailers are concerned sales will be slow, and hotels are now fighting to attract a dwindling number of customers for iftar each evening - when people break their fast.

Katy Watson reports.