A retail monster

From Republika

Indomaret shopping centers have sprung up in every corner of the city and even in the suburban areas and urban villages, causing great concern to local small-scale traders.

As a giant in the retail business, Indomaret has a rich experience in the business and is supported by an effective marketing approach and huge capital. Therefore it can easily put out of business the owners of kiosks and stalls of the "out-of- the-way class" who have only hard work and strong will as their capital. These small-scale traders are usually lacking in capital and technical experience.

These worries have haunted us small-scale traders conducting our business along Jl. WR Supratman Kampung Utan and Jalan Kompas, encompassing the villages of Pondok Ranji, Rengas and Cempaka Putih, Ciputat. We feel threatened because an Indomaret shopping center is being built some 500 meters away from this traditional economic center.

Sometimes we are lost in thought, overwhelmed by the question whether only the rich can do business in our country and we -- the economically weak -- must be left marginalized. We cannot imagine what will become of us in the face of competition with Indomaret, a monstrous giant octopus in the retail business.

Allow me, therefore, to call on the management of Indomaret to keep their greed for profits in check. Allow us to do our small- scale business if only to keep our body and soul together in this beloved country. We also must send our children to school. One crisis after another has brought untold misery to our lives. Please do not make our lives more miserable. Perhaps it would be wise if you and your colleagues bear in mind that certain social groups will find it very difficult to keep their emotions under control if they feel they have been pushed into a corner.

DESAR EVYANTI

Ciputat, South Jakarta