Chinese knickknacks in big demand
Chinese knickknacks in big demand
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Initially, Hariyati was just window-shopping at the Cililitan
Retail Center (PGC) in East Jakarta, while taking her seven-year-
old girl, who is on school holidays, out for some fun.
After 30 minutes of browsing for affordable products, she
ended up at the Oriental Emporium, a two-by-three square meter
outlet in one of the corners of PGC, which sells knick-knacks
made in China. She purchased a figurine of a waving cat.
"I like it. It's unique and it looks cute. I was told by the
shopkeepers that it could bring good luck. Moreover, it's cheap,"
said the 35-year-old woman, who spent Rp 12,500 for the
merchandise.
The shopkeepers, Yanti Herlina and Siti Nuriah, both told The
Jakarta Post that the figurine, known as "Rake-in-the-Wealth
Cat", was the most popular item in the shop.
They said that according to Chinese tradition, if the cats are
displayed at shops or business premises, they would attract
customers.
"Lots of customers think that the cats can also attract guests
to come to their houses," Yanti said.
Another best selling item at the shop are the piggy banks,
which cost Rp 5,000 for small ones and Rp 28,000 for bigger ones.
Many people also believe that piggy banks bring prosperity to
their owners.
While the customers at PGC bought such goods for luck, buyers
at the Oriental Emporium located at the Jakarta Fairground were
looking for more unique imported products.
"Many of the customers have bought the cat figurines, but many
more are purchasing Chinese imperial costumes," said Agustinus,
the supervisor of the store at the fairground.
People's interest in Chinese items has motivated the Oriental
Emporium company to supply a greater variety of merchandise from
China, which they import every six months from Quang Zhou, one of
the biggest commercial ports in the world, from where Chinese
products are shipped across the world.
Agustinus said that the company, which was established in June
2004, was targeting people from the middle to low income group.
"Our products are affordable. Prices range from between Rp
5,000 to less than Rp 2 million. Therefore people can buy unique
items made in China," said Agustinus.
Since the advent of the new millennium, Chinese products have
been flooding Indonesia to the delight of the common people, who
find them cheaper than Japanese or Taiwanese products.
"Thanks to these Chinese items, even though pay day is still a
week away, I can still buy something to display in my living
room," Hariyati said. (006)