A retail monster

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