Modern Retail’s Culprit: RI’s Struggles

Jakarta –

The Ministry of Trade (Ministry of Trade) responded to the matter of retail stores in Indonesia. One of the reasons is due to changes in behavior from the community in shopping.

This was said by the Director of National Export Development of the Ministry of Trade Septo Soepriyatno, at the Franchise, License, and Business Conference Expo & Conference (IFRA) press conference in the Pakubuwono area, South Jakarta, Wednesday (4/16/2025).

“The last 5 years trend might be still shopping monthly. Now the community is shopping for enough daily needs,” said Septo, quoted Thursday (4/17/2025).

Septo has held talks with the Indonesian Shopping Center Management Association (APPBI), the Indonesian Shopping Center Tenant Association (HIPPINDO), and the Indonesian Employers’ Association (APINDO). According to him the form of retail business has now changed, no longer just a shopping place.

“You can imagine where this shopping center is used as a place not only for shopping. But it is used as a place for lifestyle, socialization, social interaction. Then also get a journey or experience there,” he explained.

Therefore, shopping center managers must find a strategy of how to enliven the business in the shopping center itself.

“This is indeed a challenge for how we can create a shopping center that is not only a shopping place,” he said.

For information, a number of large retailers have indeed collapsed in Indonesia. In AFP records, some retail has closed a number of outlets such as the sun, giant, until the latest Lulu Hypermarket.

(Ada/hns)