Bali gets ready for holiday shopping<\/p>\n
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Bali's retailers are counting on a big
\njump in year-end shopping compared to the holiday run up last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
The rollover from l999 to 2000 will be a great moment in Bali.
\nThousands of domestic and foreign visitors are expected to spend
\ntheir vacation on the Island of Paradise.<\/p>\n
Between December 1999 and January 2000, people around the
\nworld will also celebrate important religious festivals --
\nChristmas on Dec. 25, 1999, and Idul Fitri on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9,
\n2000 -- as well as New Year's Day on Jan. 1, 2000.<\/p>\n
The Balinese will also observe two important Hindu religious
\nfestivities, Galungan on Jan. 5 and Kuningan on Jan. 15.<\/p>\n
The tradition of sending and receiving gifts over Christmas,
\nNew Year, Idul Fitri and other religious festivals has opened a
\nwide opportunity for retailers -- department stores, shopping
\ncenters and supermarkets -- to offer consumer goods, including
\nfood, beverages, clothes, shoes, bags, toys, household utensils
\nand electronic appliances.<\/p>\n
With pockets filled with Christmas and Idul Fitri bonuses,
\nconsumers are expected to be bowled over by what's on offer.<\/p>\n
Bali's shopping centers, department stores and supermarkets
\nare ready to give extra discounts, holding year-end sales in an
\nattempt to lure shoppers to their places.<\/p>\n
Courts' marketing manager, Pra Fajarrini, said that management
\nhas launched a big discount program for this holiday season.<\/p>\n
\"We want to give special discounts to our customers to get the
\nbest products at the best prices in our store,\" said Fajarrini.<\/p>\n
Courts is the only department store in Bali which specializes
\nin selling a wide variety of electronic goods and household
\nitems.<\/p>\n
\"The year-end sales usually attract a large number of people
\nhere,\" said the manager.<\/p>\n
During this season, Courts reaps between 30 percent and 50
\npercent more in business transactions.<\/p>\n
\"Just a simple example, at low season, we sell about 10
\ntelevision sets, but at this time of the year, the number ups to
\nabout 15,\" commented Fajarrini.<\/p>\n
To attract consumers, Courts has set up two different discount
\nprograms. Courts, which now has 12 outlets in several regencies
\nin Bali, gives a 40 percent interest discount for consumers who
\npurchase goods in a credit scheme.<\/p>\n
The store also give a surprise discount of 5 percent off all
\nelectronic goods and 10 percent off furniture products between
\nDec. 24 and Dec. 31, l999.<\/p>\n
\"It's hoped that people are willing to come and buy goods sold
\nat our 12 stores,\" the manager said.<\/p>\n
MA Department Stores, Ramayana, Matahari, Tragia and Hero
\nSupermarket are also ready to compete in a discount war. Large
\nbanners and decorations are hung in front of these stores to
\nentice buyers to enjoy discount weeks.<\/p>\n
\"This discount war is common. We want to sell all the goods in
\nour storage before the New Year,\" said a staffer at a supermarket
\nhere.<\/p>\n
Smaller and traditional-style shops along Gajah Mada and
\nDiponegoro in downtown Denpasar, Sanur and Sesetan also provide
\nspecial offers selling garments, jewelry and other goods at
\nbargain prices.<\/p>\n
Discounts are not always enough to draw buyers to the stores.
\nMost stores decorate their places with synthetic Christmas trees,
\nSanta Claus figures and other Christmas ornaments.<\/p>\n
The mood of Christmas and New Year cheers the Hindu-dominated
\nisland of Bali.<\/p>\n
But, Courts prefers to use traditional Balinese decorations to
\nwelcome the Galungan and Kuningan religious festivals.<\/p>\n
Traditional Balinese theatrical figures like I Dadap, a joker
\nin Drama Gong (traditional Balinese play) and other
\nlocal ornaments are placed in Courts' outlets as promotional
\nicons.<\/p>\n
Ratnawati, public relation manager of the Tiara Group, which
\ncontrols Tiara Dewata Department Stores, said that the firm has
\nwiden the choice of goods and prepared attractive gifts to cater
\nto the needs of consumers for holiday presents.<\/p>\n
All in all, department stores, supermarkets and shops in Bali
\nare ready to make your holiday shopping enjoyable. (zen)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bali-gets-ready-for-holiday-shopping-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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