At factory outlets, you can shop till you drop
At factory outlets, you can shop till you drop
Susanna Tjokro, Contributor, Jakarta
In Jakarta and other big cities throughout Indonesia, factory
outlets are mushrooming, offering merchandise that runs the gamut
from the cheesy to the elegant. Some of them have a good range of
clothing, footwear and bags, along with household goods.
If you don't care about quality, you may find a shopping
paradise. But be warned: Some of the items are over-produced,
while others don't pass quality control.
Others are simply fakes.
Usually, products are "on sale" for three months to six months
after being sold at full price elsewhere. These include Versace,
Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Guess, Levi's, Timberland, Ralph
Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, to name just a few.
I leave you to judge their quality on your own. Seeing (and
touching) is believing. Some shops may offer the same brand, say
for instance, the GAP, but the quality may vary.
Many people, in fact, don't doubt that many stores mix the
fakes in along with the genuine ones.
Anyway, if you're the type who likes to hunt for a bargain
among bargains, then factory outlets definitely ought to be
included in your shopping agenda.
Check out what's offered at these factory outlets:
Taman Bale Air
Here, besides the popular food court, you can find four
factory outlets. Bonne Chance and F.O.B. sell mostly clothes,
while Nike and Smart offer mainly footwear.
* Smart
Taman Bale Air
Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto Kav. 18
Telephone: (021) 5203976, 5203977
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily
Merchandise: footwear (including thongs and sandals), socks,
baseball caps, sun hats and bags.
This shop offers footwear in various shapes and sizes such as
O'Neill, Kickers, Ocean Pacific (OP), FILA and Diadora. Some are
said to come from abroad, but you be the judge.
A pair of Pierre Cardin shoes are prominently shown: Made in
Italy, but costing Rp 99,000.
Meanwhile, some funky OP sandals and thongs can be found
priced from between Rp. 50,000 to Rp 99,000. Colorful children's
shoes range from Rp 99,000 to Rp 129,000.
Some cool bags, like FILA, start at Rp 90,000.
"They sell a wide range of men's shoes at affordable prices,"
a customer remarked.
* NIKE Factory Outlet
Taman Bale Air
Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto Kav. 18
Telephone: (021) 5203735, 5203736
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Merchandise: Clothes, footwear, socks, watches, sunglasses,
bags, baseball caps, sun hats and gloves.
As you can guess, you will only find Nike stuff from local
distributor PT Berca Sportindo. Some T-shirts bear tags saying
they were made in either Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, the USA,
the UK or Portugal. Prices start at Rp 42,000.
Tennis, golf, running and soccer shoes are also offered. Shoes
start at Rp 199,950. A pair of cool, Nike sunglasses, made in
China, are considered a real bargain at Rp 226,500. The price tag
revealed a big discount from its original Rp 928,900. Most of the
glasses are made in Korea and China; the cheapest one costs Rp
226,500.
Watches are on sale, too, starting at Rp. 412,000.
* Cheap 'N Chic
Jl. Panglima Polim IX No. 20
Telephone: (021) 7253523
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Merchandise: clothes, women's undies, bags, toys and socks.
Some Kipling look-alike tote bags are priced at Rp 99,000. The
zippers read "Energie" -- instead of "Kipling" (just like the
ones sold at Kipling stores worldwide).
This two-story shop sells some imported stuff from places like
China and Singapore. Check out the interesting men's line where
Timberland, GAP, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren products are on
display. Shorts, T-shirt, cardigans, sweats, shirts, pajamas and
jeans are sold here. Groovy tank tops are a bargain at Rp 25,000.
Colorful children clothes (made in China and Indonesia) are
priced from Rp 20,000 on up.
"I like its men's line, from shorts to extra-large shirts," a
buyer remarked.
Heritage
Graha Darya Varia
Jl. Barito II No. 56
(Next to Hero Barito)
Telephone: (021) 7209482
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily
Merchandise: clothes, bags, bed sheets, watches and bric-a-brac.
There's also a "wrapping corner" inside.
Heritage stocks various shapes and sizes of clothing. Moms
will love its colorful kids' wardrobe.
Clothes from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and
Indonesia are dominant here. A cute Malaysian OshKosh B'Gosh
bodysuit is relatively cheap at Rp 29,500 (considering its
quality). A pretty Singaporean McKids dress is Rp 45,000.
Check out its cute tank top collection. GAP made in Singapore
is priced at Rp 29,500. Its nightgowns and pajamas are worth a
look also.
The men's section is also highlighted. Pierre Cardin, Calvin
Klein, GAP and Timberland are a few available brands, from formal
shirts to casual T-shirts. An Armani Exchange T-shirt, made in
the U.S., is a good buy at Rp 32,500.
Guess (Rp 149,500), Versace, Burberrys and Levi's are among
its wide range of jeans on display.
Check out the bag collection: an Elle tote bag sells for Rp
189,000. Purses bear the labels of Gucci, Chanel, Salvatore
Ferragamo and Prada join the others.
"I love the kid's section ... a cute baby bodysuit, made in
Brunei, only cost Rp 29,500," said one mother.
Millenia
Komp. Taman Ria Senayan
Jl. Gerbang Pemuda Kav. 3
Telephone: (021) 2512108
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Merchandise: clothes, women's undies, bags, toys and household
items.
This store is one of the biggest factory outlets in Jakarta.
Items from Malaysia, Korea, Cambodia, Singapore, Bangladesh and
Indonesia are sold in this variety store.
Its four stories boast rooms with various shapes and sizes of
clothing. Shorts, tank tops, pajamas, bathrobes and fleece
jackets are just some of the samples. Some are real bargains. A
cool Benetton jacket is only Rp 89,500 (compared with the initial
price tag of HK$495).
The kids' department is adorable. Funky mini-tank tops mostly
cost Rp 17,500. Pretty Osh Kosh B'Gosh dresses from Cambodia go
for Rp 39,000.
The men's section features clothes from Ralph Lauren to
Lacoste, mainly priced under Rp 100,000. An Armani Exchange T-
shirt (proudly labeled "made in USA") is Rp 49,000.
Denim lovers should check out Millenia's collection, with its
Burberry, Versace and Calvin Klein jeans. Prices start at about
Rp 145,000 (Boy London). Levi's aren't available, however.
Bed sheets, placemats, porcelain dolls, graters and cups are
among its household items.
"It's just like one-stop shopping for our family; everything's
here, ready to cater to our needs!" raved one housewife.
You're spoiled by choices! Happy shopping!