Retailers plan big 'Independence' sales<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Attention shoppers. What is being billed as one
\nof the biggest sales ever held in Indonesia will happen Aug. 5.<\/p>\n
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), the event
\norganizer, guarantees that it will be a genuine sale.<\/p>\n
\"This is not one of those sales in which the shops get rid of
\nold stock,\" Adi Putra Tahir, a senior Kadin executive promised
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
The event is being held to celebrate 50 years of Indonesian
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Association of Distributors, the Indonesian
\nShopping Center Association and the Association of Indonesian
\nRetail Business, all member organizations of Kadin, are
\nsupporting the event christened the \"people's market\".<\/p>\n
They said some members will slash prices by 10 to 20 percent,
\nwhile others will offer an even bigger percentage.<\/p>\n
Army veterans and retired servicemen will be given even
\ngreater discounts at certain department stores.<\/p>\n
Adi said retailers who are not members of Kadin will be
\nencouraged to join.<\/p>\n
By yesterday at least 17 provinces agreed to hold the sales.
\nMore are expected to commit before the day. In some areas, the
\nbazaar will be held for two days or more.<\/p>\n
\"This is our way of showing gratitude for independence, and
\nfor the stable years that have enabled us to conduct business so
\nfar,\" Adi said.<\/p>\n
Emil Salim, the executive chairman of the National Committee
\nfor the 50th Independence Anniversary, lent his support by
\nshowing up at the press conference.<\/p>\n
He said he agreed with the Aug. 5 date because it falls
\nshortly after most people have received their monthly pay packet.<\/p>\n
The sale is purely the business community's initiative and is
\ntherefore being funded by business people, Emil responded when
\nasked if government funds were involved.<\/p>\n
Emil's committee has been allocated a budget of Rp 3.5 billion
\n($1.6 million) by the government.<\/p>\n
\"This money is to be used only for events organized by the
\ngovernment,\" he said. \"It would be quite out of place to ask
\nmoguls to pay for our independence anniversary.\"<\/p>\n
Asked whether he thought that the money set aside was
\nextravagant, Emil responded, \"The question is valid. But this is
\na celebration which is held only once in 50 years.\"<\/p>\n
\"We tackle problems like poverty and bad roads every year, but
\npart of our expression of gratitude is to get the people involved
\nin some fun activities,\" he said. (anr)<\/p>",
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