FOR FOCUS ISSUE (SUNDAY) --- YEAR END SALES<\/p>\n
;JP;HEN;
\nANPAc..r..
\nShopping-outlets-tips<\/p>\n
Bargain hunting ahead of Idul Fitri<\/p>\n
Hendarsyah Tarmizi
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Almost all retail outlets, be they small stalls in
\ntraditional markets or world-class stores in modern shopping
\nmalls, are gearing up for this year's shopping season.<\/p>\n
For most Indonesians, the big shopping season takes place in
\nDecember, during which Muslims and Christians celebrate their
\nbiggest holidays, Idul Fitri and Christmas. Although there are
\nseveral more weeks to go until the big holidays, the atmosphere
\nis beginning to be felt in almost every corner of the city.<\/p>\n
Buyers have started to crowd not only the shopping malls but
\nalso the garment centers such as Pasar Tanah Abang in Central
\nJava and Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua in West Jakarta. Factory outlets,
\nwhich have become a popular shopping alternative among young
\npeople, have also seen a growing number of customers over the
\npast two weeks.<\/p>\n
It can be difficult to find quality products at a good price,
\nbut if you know the secret and are willing to spend some extra
\ntime you can find quality products at good prices.<\/p>\n
Muslims generally celebrate Idul Fitri, which marks the end of
\nthe fasting month, with family gatherings and visits with
\nneighbors and relatives. Wearing new clothes, especially for
\nchildren, has long been an Idul Fitri tradition. That's why
\nshopping has become such an important prelude to the celebration.<\/p>\n
Shopping at the mall has become common practice for most
\npeople, and it is not to difficult to find the clothes of your
\nchoice among the many outlets and stores at these places.<\/p>\n
Prices are generally the same from one department store to the
\nnext. And big discounts for certain items are available at almost
\nall stores, although some of them often use the \"big price cut\"
\nscheme to lure buyers.<\/p>\n
Shopping at a factory outlet can be fun as well. More
\nimportantly prices at these retail outlets are much lower,
\nsometimes by as much as half, than at conventional stores. A wide
\nrange of famous branded products for men, women and children are
\navailable at these factory outlets, which are sometimes referred
\nto as FO.<\/p>\n
Factory Outlet stores have become a popular alternative for
\nbuying branded apparel, and could become a serious threat to
\nconventional stores. These types of stores have become more and
\nmore popular in the country's larger cities such as Bandung,
\nJakarta and Surabaya due to their success in meeting the needs of
\ncustomers -- good products at reasonable prices.<\/p>\n
Bandung, where the FO retailing concept was first introduced
\nhere, has become a center of factory outlets, which attract
\nnumerous visitors to the city.<\/p>\n
Factory outlets in many countries are owned and run by a
\ngarment manufacturer. In Indonesia, however, this is generally
\nnot the case. Most of the factory outlets popping up outside of
\nJava operate independently. They generally buy apparel from local
\nand overseas factories that are licensed to produce branded
\nproducts. The clothes they buy are mostly export overruns or
\nproducts that do not meet the strict quality standards.<\/p>\n
But for ordinary buyers the products sold at these outlets are
\nno different from those same items sold at major department
\nstores. The only difference is the price. Clothes from Banana
\nRepublic, Esprit, Guess, Versace and other famous brands are sold
\nfor only between Rp 50,000 (about US$5.5) to Rp 75,000.<\/p>\n
Where to find such deals in Jakarta? The number of retail
\noutlets operating under the FO concept is growing in the capital.
\nMillenia is among these outlets. It has successfully become one
\nof several major FOs in Jakarta and operates several branches. It
\nhas branches in Taman Ria Senayan, on Jl. Sudirman in the Central
\nBusiness District, on Jl. H. Agus Salim in Central Jakarta and
\nanother on Jl. Walter Monginsidi in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
There is also The Club Store, located in the Central Business
\nDistrict on Jl. Sudirman, and Big Buy Branded Clothing in several
\nshopping malls, including Kelapa Gading, Cinere, Arion Plaza, ITC
\nMangga Dua, Lippo Cikarang and ITC Cempaka Mas.<\/p>\n
Several other FOs have opened in Kemang and on Jl. Panglima
\nPolim in South Jakarta. They include Rumah Manis, DePe, eSPe,
\nCheap 'n Chick and Rame.<\/p>\n
If you are out shopping for gifts for relatives and friends,
\nyou may want to try the Tanah Abang and Mangga Dua garment
\nmarkets.<\/p>\n
Although most retailers in Tanah Abang market sell textile
\nproducts of low quality, you still can find a large quantity of
\ndepartment store-quality clothes there. Blok F of the garment
\ncenter, for example, specializes in the sale of good quality
\nproducts. The prices are about 40 percent to 50 percent lower
\nthan at department stores.<\/p>\n
Compared to the Tanah Abang market, shopping at the fully air-
\nconditioned Mangga Dua garment center is much more comfortable.
\nBesides being less crowded, there are a lot of security guards
\nready to help if you are in trouble. Most of the products are of
\ngood quality. Many department stores buy their clothes from this
\nfamous garment market. Prices are bit higher than in Tanah Abang
\nbut they are still lower than at department stores.<\/p>\n
Traders at Tanah Abang and Mangga Dua generally request that
\nyou purchase at least three pieces form each type of clothing. So
\nif you intend to buy Idul Fitri gifts for your relatives or your
\nmaids, these two markets are a good choice. But be sure to get
\ntheir in the morning, because the markets get crowded in the
\nafternoon. Have fun shopping and be aware of pickpockets!<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/for-focus-issue-sunday-year-end-sales-1447899208",
"image": ""
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