Asemka Market Stationery Traders Complain of 20 Percent Drop in Turnover

Stationery traders at Pasar Asemka, West Jakarta, have complained that their turnover this year has fallen by up to 20 percent compared to last year. One trader, Noval (32), said that sales during the current new school year season have dropped drastically. “Sales are currently busy because the new school year is approaching. But compared to last year, it has declined. The decline is drastic, almost 20 percent,” Noval said when met at his stall in Pasar Asemka, West Jakarta, on Tuesday. Noval admitted that the difference in turnover is visible from his daily income. He said that during the 2024 new school year season, he could earn a minimum of Rp30 million to Rp50 million per day, whereas now Rp30 million is the maximum limit that is difficult to surpass. “Last year, daily takings could reach Rp30 million to Rp50 million, definitely hitting Rp50 million. Now, the most is Rp30 million. So the difference in turnover can be Rp20 million a day,” he said. Noval suspects the decline in buyers this year is partly because some members of the public have received stationery aid packages directly from schools. He dismissed the notion that online shopping trends have affected his turnover, arguing that stationery prices in online markets tend to be more expensive due to application fees and shipping costs. In addition to the shrinking number of buyers, traders are also facing unstable supply prices. Noval mentioned that the price of stationery, especially books, has been increasing periodically almost every five days because supply has been somewhat disrupted. “There has been a price increase, rising every week. It goes up almost every five days. From a price of Rp40,000, it rises to Rp45,000, Rp50,000, up to Rp60,000. Maybe because goods from the distribution centre are somewhat difficult to obtain,” Noval explained. Despite being hit by rising prices and declining turnover, commodities such as notebooks, pens, and pencils remain the main targets for parents. To cope with the situation, Noval chooses not to stock too many goods to avoid losses.