APPBI optimistic shopping centres will remain busy despite weak rupiah
Mualim Wijoyo, Chairman of the Indonesian Shopping Centre Management Association (APPBI) for the Jakarta Regional Leadership Council, believes that shopping centres or malls will continue to attract visitors despite the weakening exchange rate of the rupiah against the US dollar.
According to Mualim, support from the Provincial Government, which has organised a series of shopping festivals featuring discounts and prizes, alongside providing incentives to business actors, can keep public consumption and spending stable.
“The government has been providing support. The Jakarta Provincial Government is organising Jakarta Festive Wonders, which is an event designed to encourage the public to shop. Therefore, if we consider the rising dollar and such, that is a separate matter,” Mualim said during the opening of the Jakarta Great Sale Festival in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Furthermore, Mualim noted that shopping centres have now evolved beyond mere transaction points.
“In fact, these shopping centres have transformed from being just places for shopping transactions into venues for experiences,” he added.
His organisation is optimistic that the Jakarta Great Sale Festival (FJGS), which commenced this Wednesday and runs until 22 July 2026, can achieve a sales target of up to Rp16 trillion.
“Coincidentally, this coincides with the school holidays. Therefore, we remain optimistic. We are confident that the Rp16 trillion target can be reached,” said Mualim.
Meanwhile, the annual shopping event, held in conjunction with Jakarta’s 499th anniversary, involves approximately 104 shopping centres spread across Jakarta.
Uus stated that the FJGS is a strategic initiative as it involves entrepreneurs and mall managers to drive economic circulation amidst current challenges.
He believes the event is expected to serve as a momentum to repair and enhance Jakarta’s economic engine.
“Hopefully, this will also attract consumers to shop in the malls available in Jakarta,” he said.
Beyond large shopping centres, the implementation of FJGS 2026 also involves micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Uus explained that several malls have collaborated with MSMEs to participate in various activities throughout the festival.
He hopes this collaboration will strengthen the role of malls as economic drivers within their surrounding environments.
“Through the collaboration between malls and economic actors, hopefully, malls can act as ‘parents’ who help drive the economic wheels in their surrounding areas,” said Uus.
Regarding the FJGS 2026 transaction target of Rp16 trillion, Uus expressed optimism that the goal can be achieved even as public purchasing power faces pressure.
He noted that this optimism is supported by Jakarta’s economic condition, which continues to show positive growth and relatively controlled inflation.
“We must not be pessimistic; we must be optimistic. Even in a situation like this, thankfully, Jakarta’s economic growth is quite high and inflation is also under control,” he concluded.