Bantul Market Tailors Struggle as Footfall Declines
Clothing alteration service providers at Bantul Market are complaining that the decline in market visitors is impacting their daily income. This condition has caused their daily turnover to drop drastically.
“Currently, visitors are sparse; I only earn around Rp 50,000 a day, which is an alhamdulillah (praise be to God) situation,” said Sarjilah (52), one of the alteration service providers at Bantul Market, on Friday (18/9/2026).
Sarjilah admitted that during busy periods, she could earn hundreds of thousands of rupiah. However, such conditions do not occur every day.
“When it is busy, I can earn hundreds of thousands, but that only happens during Eid or when children start the new school year,” she said.
Sarjilah revealed that the drop in turnover is due to the lack of market visitors. Additionally, many people are now purchasing clothing through e-commerce.
“Since so many people buy online, it has become quiet like this. This is because when they buy at the market, they usually get the alterations done at the market as well; if they buy online, they get the alterations done elsewhere,” she added.
Furthermore, Sarjilah only opens from 08:00 to 13:30 WIB. The number of people utilising her services can be counted on one hand.
“It is uncertain how many people come to me for alterations in a day; the important thing is to be grateful,” she said.
The woman, who has been involved in sewing since junior high school, hopes that the market situation will return to being busy, as more visitors would increase her earnings.
Echoing Sarjilah, another alteration service provider at Bantul Market, Sumartini (49), admitted she has only been providing services at Bantul Market for two years.
“I have only been here for about two years, replacing my grandmother,” said the resident of Sumbermulyo, Bambanglipuro, Bantul.
Regarding the decline in market visitors, Sumartini confirmed the situation, noting that alteration services only experience busy periods at specific times.
“It is busy during Eid and during the start of the school year because people need alterations. But now, it is uncertain; however, it is fine as long as it is enough for daily shopping needs,” she said.
Meanwhile, another alteration provider at Bantul Market, Umi (60), a resident of Pandak, Bantul, admitted she has been a tailor for decades. She noted that this is the first time her services have been so quiet.
“I have been an alteration tailor at Bantul Market for about 30 years. If you ask if it is quiet, yes, it is quiet; even during Eid, it is sometimes slow because so many people buy online now,” she said.
Regarding how many items of clothing she can work on per day, Umi admitted she cannot be certain, as the number of customers is unpredictable.
“I just work with whatever comes in a day. I open from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon,” she said.
On the other hand, Umi admitted that as a service provider, one must be prepared for the fluctuations in customers. Umi believes the most important thing is to remain grateful, as sustenance is provided by God.
“It is normal; ups and downs are part of life, we just have to endure it. Why? Because sustenance is measured by God; the important thing is that we do not forget to be grateful,” she said.