Indomaret no threat

Desar Evyanti wrote in the Oct. 18 edition of The Jakarta Post that Indomaret outlets appearing everywhere posed a threat to small-scale traders in the same areas.

Evyanti should realize that Indomaret and other such establishments that will more than likely pop up in the future (any type of businesses, for that matter) are only a sign of the times. We move on and potential growth means potential employment for others, and improvements in business and lifestyle for everyone.

Why do people have to see similar businesses as a threat to their own?

A certain segment of the population will obviously be attracted to Indomaret, but there will still be those that prefer to shop at the long-established toko as their prices remain below Indomaret's prices.

Small toko are popping up everywhere, their success rate not even visible at birth. Eventually some small-scale operators dreaming of potential business fade out after one or two months, while others continue to struggle with hardships. Like becak, in time these small toko will fade out, but not completely.

C. PARRY

Jakarta