'Supermarkets can't provide really fresh supplies'<\/p>\n
Traditional markets, regardless of their run-down and shabby
\nappearance, remain an attraction to all classes of people for
\ntheir daily needs. Hypermarkets and supermarkets, whose number
\nhas been increasing, do not appear to be competitors, as each has
\nits own market. Traditional markets, for example, have as their
\nstrength the provision of fresh produce. The Jakarta Post talked
\nto a few city dwellers on the issue.<\/p>\n
Antonius, 40, is an assistant manager of a supermarket in
\nSouth Jakarta. He lives in Tangerang, West Java, with his wife
\nand son:<\/p>\n
I don't see any competition between supermarkets or
\nhypermarkets and traditional markets in the city. Although I have
\nlong worked at a supermarket, my family still goes to traditional
\nmarkets.<\/p>\n
They are part of our daily life, so it would be impossible to
\neliminate traditional markets here.<\/p>\n
I would say that the supply of staple foods and household
\ngoods is more complete at traditional markets.<\/p>\n
When I supervised a supermarket in North Jakarta, I couldn't
\ndeny that traditional markets were still as attractive as the
\nsupermarket. Many in the upper to middle income bracket came to
\nthe traditional market for fresh chicken and meat.<\/p>\n
Sales of fresh products at the supermarket were way behind. I
\nguess that's no surprise, as customers wanted fresher supplies of
\ntheir staple foodstuffs. Unfortunately the supermarkets or
\nhypermarkets could not provide really fresh supplies.<\/p>\n
I once talked to a rich man who went to a traditional market
\nfor fermented cassava because it was the favorite food of his
\nvillage childhood. Alas, he couldn't find it at any supermarket.<\/p>\n
That's proof enough that modern shopping centers can't always
\nsupply the goods that traditional ones can.<\/p>\n
Sarwani, 60, has been a vendor of fresh fruit at Jatinegara
\ntraditional market, East Jakarta, for more than 20 years. He
\nlives in Bukit Duri, East Jakarta, with his wife and nine
\nchildren:<\/p>\n
I never thought that the growing number of supermarkets or
\nshopping malls around here would turn out to be my competitors.<\/p>\n
In spite of the terrible state of things here, I reckon that I
\ncontinue to have loyal customers for my fruit. Besides, the
\nmajority of low-income people still rely on traditional markets
\nto fulfill their daily needs.<\/p>\n
So, I firmly believe that traditional markets should continue,
\notherwise where would people on low incomes go to satisfy their
\ndaily needs?<\/p>\n
Arisanti, 29, is a housewife and employee at a private company
\nin Central Jakarta. She lives in Sunter, North Jakarta, with her
\nfamily:<\/p>\n
I dare say I prefer traditional markets more than supermarkets
\nor hypermarkets because I can buy my daily necessities at
\nreasonable prices.<\/p>\n
It's impossible to bargain at shopping centers, right?
\nBesides, supermarkets are not the right place to buy fresh meat
\nor vegetables because I think such goods have been kept for more
\nthan a day in the freezer.<\/p>\n
I guess it's much healthier to consume fresh goods bought from
\ntraditional markets -- I can guarantee that.<\/p>\n
I don't think that traditional markets will vanish, despite
\nthe growing number of hypermarkets or supermarkets around
\nhere.Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/supermarkets-cant-provide-really-fresh-supplies-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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