APPBI: Long holiday supports retail sales during low season

JAKARTA (ANTARA) - APPBI Chairman Alphonzus Widjaja said the current long holiday is expected to support retail sector performance as it enters the low season following Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

“The long holiday during the low season is expected to boost sales and support retail sector performance,” Widjaja told ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He explained that the post-Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr period is the retail industry’s low season, following the peak sales period of Eid al-Fitr.

“The economy remains uncertain due to various factors, including geopolitical issues,” he said.

Shopping centres are expected to offer various promotional programmes and entertainment activities to attract visitors during the long holiday.

He added that shopping centres remain a preferred destination for the public to spend the long holiday.

APPBI estimates a 10 to 15 per cent increase in shopping centre visitors during this long weekend compared to a regular weekend.

However, he noted that retailers’ promotional discounts are temporary measures to sustain consumer spending.

“One programme to address purchasing power issues is shopping promotions, but they are only temporary,” he said.

“Consumer purchasing power is a matter of national economy and cannot be resolved by businesses alone,” Widjaja said.