Yuletide shopping: Customers picking up Christmas decorations and gifts at a mall in Johor Baru. JOHOR BARU: Businesses here are hopeful that the relaxation of travelling rules will help spur the local economy, especially with the decision coming just weeks before the year-end holiday season. While noting that the current sales level is not as high as previous festive seasons, shop owner Eve Wong, 40, has seen a slight improvement since early this week. The number of daily customers to her shop, which sells gifts and decorative items, has gone up by about 10% this week. “There’s been a promising rise in sales these past few days. I expect to see an improvement in business this month compared to the months before, especially as Christmas and New Year draw closer.