Chinese knickknacks in big demand<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Initially, Hariyati was just window-shopping at the Cililitan
\nRetail Center (PGC) in East Jakarta, while taking her seven-year-
\nold girl, who is on school holidays, out for some fun.<\/p>\n
After 30 minutes of browsing for affordable products, she
\nended up at the Oriental Emporium, a two-by-three square meter
\noutlet in one of the corners of PGC, which sells knick-knacks
\nmade in China. She purchased a figurine of a waving cat.<\/p>\n
\"I like it. It's unique and it looks cute. I was told by the
\nshopkeepers that it could bring good luck. Moreover, it's cheap,\"
\nsaid the 35-year-old woman, who spent Rp 12,500 for the
\nmerchandise.<\/p>\n
The shopkeepers, Yanti Herlina and Siti Nuriah, both told The
\nJakarta Post that the figurine, known as \"Rake-in-the-Wealth
\nCat\", was the most popular item in the shop.<\/p>\n
They said that according to Chinese tradition, if the cats are
\ndisplayed at shops or business premises, they would attract
\ncustomers.<\/p>\n
\"Lots of customers think that the cats can also attract guests
\nto come to their houses,\" Yanti said.<\/p>\n
Another best selling item at the shop are the piggy banks,
\nwhich cost Rp 5,000 for small ones and Rp 28,000 for bigger ones.
\nMany people also believe that piggy banks bring prosperity to
\ntheir owners.<\/p>\n
While the customers at PGC bought such goods for luck, buyers
\nat the Oriental Emporium located at the Jakarta Fairground were
\nlooking for more unique imported products.<\/p>\n
\"Many of the customers have bought the cat figurines, but many
\nmore are purchasing Chinese imperial costumes,\" said Agustinus,
\nthe supervisor of the store at the fairground.<\/p>\n
People's interest in Chinese items has motivated the Oriental
\nEmporium company to supply a greater variety of merchandise from
\nChina, which they import every six months from Quang Zhou, one of
\nthe biggest commercial ports in the world, from where Chinese
\nproducts are shipped across the world.<\/p>\n
Agustinus said that the company, which was established in June
\n2004, was targeting people from the middle to low income group.<\/p>\n
\"Our products are affordable. Prices range from between Rp
\n5,000 to less than Rp 2 million. Therefore people can buy unique
\nitems made in China,\" said Agustinus.<\/p>\n
Since the advent of the new millennium, Chinese products have
\nbeen flooding Indonesia to the delight of the common people, who
\nfind them cheaper than Japanese or Taiwanese products.<\/p>\n
\"Thanks to these Chinese items, even though pay day is still a
\nweek away, I can still buy something to display in my living
\nroom,\" Hariyati said. (006)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/chinese-knickknacks-in-big-demand-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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