Floor 3A of Tanah Abang Market as Desolate as a Graveyard, Traders Flee in Droves

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Traders confirm that the number of vendors at Tanah Abang Market in Central Jakarta is steadily decreasing, a trend that has persisted since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chairman of the Tanah Abang Market Traders, Yasril Umar, stated that since the Covid-19 pandemic, many kiosks have gradually closed as sales have collapsed and traders can no longer afford rental fees. He even revealed that Floor 3A Block B in Tanah Abang is the worst affected, with almost all shops shuttered.

“Since Covid-19, many have closed, especially on Floor 3A Block B, where nearly an entire floor is shut,” said Yasril when contacted by CNBC Indonesia on Thursday (14/5/2026).

Yasril continued that the situation on Floor 5 Block B is somewhat better, with only half the shops closed. The rest remain open due to their proximity to ATMs.

“On Floor 5 Block B, some are still operating, with half closed, because there are ATMs and bank tellers still open on that floor,” he added.

However, he did not specify the total number of shops available on Floors 3A and 5 Block B at Tanah Abang.

Yasril explained that the emptiness at Tanah Abang is due to weakening consumer purchasing power and a shift in shopping habits.

“The reason for Tanah Abang’s desolation is the weak purchasing power of the public and the changing culture of buying and selling to online,” he clarified.

As a result, traders have been forced to not renew their shop leases and opt for other trading activities.

“With the increasingly quiet market situation, many traders are no longer renewing their kiosk leases, and some are selling elsewhere,” he said.