What they say about shopping in Jakarta<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): If you want to find out about shopping in
\nJakarta, your best bet is to ask the shoppers themselves. Here
\nare a variety of comments, some optimistic about Jakarta's
\nprospect as a shopper's paradise, and others a little bit
\ndoubtful:<\/p>\n
L. A. Hanafiah, chairman of the Indonesian Heart Foundation,
\nbelieves Indonesia could become a major shopping destination.<\/p>\n
Hanafiah, who often travels abroad to attend events relating
\nto his work, noted, however, that Indonesia has some way to go
\nbefore it can attract shoppers like other famous destinations.<\/p>\n
\"It's possible for Indonesia to become a shopping destination,
\nbecause there are many supporting factors, such as famous and
\nluxurious shopping malls and boutiques, which sell
\ninternationally recognized brands. Besides, the prices are not
\nmuch different from those overseas,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hanafiah believes that Indonesia should also promote its local
\nproducts, including garments from local designers such as those
\nbelonging to Ghea. He says arts and handicrafts are the main
\nattraction for foreign visitors.<\/p>\n
\"However, if people want to find the latest fashion designs,
\nmaybe Indonesia doesn't have them yet,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Even though the shops in Mangga Dua sell famous brands, I
\ndoubt the originality of the products. Maybe they were made here
\nor imported from other countries,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Martina Widjaja, businessperson and chairwoman of the
\nIndonesian AIDS Foundation, says there is a marked increase in
\nthe availability of products here compared to some years ago.<\/p>\n
\"I travel to other countries; Just about everywhere at least
\nonce in a year, including to shop. I mostly look for fashion
\nproducts,\" she said of her excursions.<\/p>\n
\"But compared to several years ago, my shopping trips (to
\nother countries) have decreased because now, lots of famous
\nbrands are also sold in Indonesia,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Jenny F.A. who works at a regional organization's
\noffice in Jakarta, applauds the increase in variety and
\navailability of consumer goods here.<\/p>\n
\"The potential is great. There's more specialist shopping
\nareas,\" she replied when asked to comment on the prospect of
\nJakarta becoming a shopping haven.<\/p>\n
Based on her experiences in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and
\nBangkok, Jenny claims that prices here are competitive.<\/p>\n
\"You don't have to go out (abroad) any more. There's more
\nvariety in consumer goods and brand names,\" she said.<\/p>\n
As an example, she pointed to an experience just a few years
\nago in which she had to order from a friend abroad to get a brand
\nof soap.<\/p>\n
She said while working at her office, which deals with
\nexpatriates, she often hears from people who are very satisfied
\nwith shopping in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
However, she said that so-called \"sales\" here pale in
\ncomparison to the ones they have in Singapore.<\/p>\n
\"Sales here are just teasers; they're not real sales,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Jenny also laments the lack of carefully considered
\n\"amenities\" for shoppers, such as clean toilets and readily
\navailable parking.<\/p>\n
Wulan, an account executive at a leading advertising company,
\nalso notes the lack of amenities as a drawback of shopping here.<\/p>\n
\"The whole atmosphere in Singapore is conducive for people to
\nshop,\" she said, in comparison to Jakarta.<\/p>\n
In terms of prices, she believes there is not much difference
\nbetween the two countries. \"Prices in Singapore and Jakarta are
\nrelatively the same,\" she said.<\/p>\n
According to Wulan, most goods that one could possibly desire
\nare available here, and there is no need to run abroad just for
\nthe sake of choice.<\/p>\n
\"Jakarta is quite sufficient. Basically, everything suffices
\none's needs,\" she said.<\/p>\n
A. Simons, an American working at a consultancy in Jakarta,
\nsays that apart from reading materials, mostly everything is
\navailable at an acceptable quality.<\/p>\n
She adds that having lived in Jakarta for about two years, it
\nbecomes clear that certain places cater or specialize in certain
\ngoods. \"Once you know that, you know where all the best prices
\nare,\" she said.<\/p>\n
In her assessment, garments are very cheap here. However, the
\nactual style and fashion leaves something to be desired. \"But
\nthey're generally alright. And if you want the really chic ones,
\nthen go to a designer boutique,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Babe, a business executive, says that many people now prefer
\nshopping in Jakarta following the increase in the price of goods
\nin Singapore. The reason is that the value of the Singaporean
\ndollar against the U.S dollar is continuing to rise.<\/p>\n
\"Nevertheless, not all goods in Jakarta are cheaper than in
\nSingapore. For example, I recently bought a Bulgari watch at
\nHyatt Galleria in Plaza Indonesia for about Rp 17 million (about
\nUS$7,200), which I found out later was selling cheaper in
\nSingapore,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Many foreigners now love shopping in Mangga Dua, where brand
\nname goods are reportedly sold at lower prices. I, however, doubt
\nthe originality of the products. They have labels indicating
\nfamous brand names, but real shoppers can see from the leather
\nquality, fabrics, and other features whether they are fakes or
\noriginals. They might have been manufactured in Hong Kong or
\nTaiwan.\"<\/p>\n
\"Anyway, for me, shopping in Jakarta is more convenient than
\nin Singapore in the sense that shoppers can drive to the shopping
\ncenters, park their cars there and easily get back to their cars.
\nIn Singapore, cars are not allowed to park near the shopping
\ncenters, and you'll find it difficult to return to your car,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>",
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