Supply Chain Resilience: Addressing Pandemic-Driven Disruptions in the Malaysian Retail Food Sector for Gerontology

Nor Bakhriah Sarbani, Irwan Ibrahim, Hayyum Suleikha Selamat, Anas Afandi Ahmad Apandi, Afizan Amer and Veera Pandiyan Kaliani Sundram
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Nor Bakhriah Sarbani: Lecturer, Department of Technology and Supply Chain Management Studies, Faculty of Business and Management, UiTM Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Irwan Ibrahim: Associate Fellow, Malaysia Institute of Transport, University Technology MARA, Malaysia. Department of Technology and Supply Chain Management Studies, Faculty of Business and Management, UiTM Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Hayyum Suleikha Selamat: Lecturer, Faculty of Business Management, UCSI University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Anas Afandi Ahmad Apandi: Lecturer, School of Economics and Management, Xiamen University Malaysia, Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia
Afizan Amer: Senior Lecturer, Department of Marketing & Management, Faculty of Business and Management, University Technology MARA, Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
Veera Pandiyan Kaliani Sundram: Lecturer, Department of Technology and Supply Chain Management Studies, Faculty of Business and Management, UiTM Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 4, 508-521

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant vulnerabilities in Malaysia’s retail food supply chain, disproportionately affecting elderly consumers due to their reliance on traditional shopping methods and limited digital literacy. This study examines the intersection of supply chain resilience and gerontology, focusing on the challenges faced by aging populations during pandemic-driven disruptions. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative surveys with 300 elderly consumers and qualitative interviews with 30 supply chain stakeholders and policymakers. Findings reveal that urban elderly populations faced more severe food access issues due to supermarket supply chain breakdowns, while rural elderly relied on localized food networks but encountered logistical delays. Digital adoption among elderly consumers remained low, with only 35% in urban and 25% in rural areas using online grocery platforms, primarily due to digital illiteracy and financial constraints. The study highlights the need for localized food distribution networks, elderly-friendly digital solutions, and inclusive policy frameworks to enhance supply chain resilience. These insights contribute to the Supply Chain Resilience Theory (SCRT) by emphasizing the importance of demographic-specific strategies in crisis management. The research calls for a paradigm shift toward consumer-centric resilience models that prioritize the needs of aging populations in future crises.

Date: 2025
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