Grocery Stores Urged to Adapt to Market Shifts and Digitalisation
Grocery stores face increasingly complex challenges amid changing consumer shopping patterns, expansion of modern retail, and accelerated digitalisation of the trade sector. These conditions are driving small business owners to adapt to survive and sustain their operations.
Sampoerna Retail Community (SRC) supports grocery store owners through business management strengthening, digital technology adoption, and community development initiatives.
Beyond business aspects, health concerns for entrepreneurs are now a priority. Last week, SRC organised a free health check-up programme attended by around 500 store owners in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi.
The event was attended by Jakarta Provincial Secretary Uus Kuswanto, House of Representatives Commission IX member Indah Kurnia, Jakarta Health Department Head Ani Ruspitawati, and PT SRC Indonesia Director Sembilan Romulus Sutanto.
Jakarta Provincial Secretary Uus Kuswanto stated that health initiatives for MSMEs can help maintain public productivity. ‘On behalf of the Jakarta Provincial Government, we thank SRC for its concern towards the community through this initiative. We hope this activity proves beneficial,’ Uus said in an SRC press release on Thursday (28 May 2026).
Meanwhile, House of Representatives Commission IX member Indah Kurnia noted that the health of MSME operators, particularly female business owners, is linked to family economic resilience. ‘Mothers’ contributions are vital to Indonesia’s economic growth, so SRC grocery store-owning mothers must stay healthy,’ Indah said.
On another front, digital transformation is a key factor affecting grocery store sustainability. SRC reported that most stores within its ecosystem are using digital services for transactions and business management.
PT HM Sampoerna Tbk President Director Ivan Cahyadi said SRC, which began with 57 stores in 2008, has expanded into a traditional retail network of over 250,000 stores across various regions.
According to Ivan, support is provided through business skill enhancement and digital technology adoption to help MSMEs adapt to changing consumer behaviour.
According to KG Media’s 2026 research, SRC’s ecosystem generates annual turnover of Rp251 trillion, equivalent to 9.5% of the national retail GDP in 2025.
In addition to selling daily necessities, some SRC stores serve as distribution channels for local MSME products through the Pojok Lokal programme. This approach is seen as helping expand marketing access for small businesses in the surrounding area.
Business support and community strengthening are considered key strategies for grocery stores to remain competitive amid changing national retail trade landscapes.