Mitra Adiperkasa offers everything, from Zara to Starbucks

Susanna Tjokro, Contributor, Jakarta

Are you a big Zara fan? If you are, there's good news for you: Zara will open its first two stores in Jakarta. Previously, the closest Zara stores for us were in Singapore. However, but starting August 2005, you will be able to buy Zara merchandise at Plaza Indonesia and Pondok Indah Mall II. Both Zara stores will occupy more than 1,500 square meters each.

This Spanish fashion brand is one of the largest and better- known fashion chains worldwide. Zara offers very fashionable designs at attractive prices, from chic clubbing tops to elegant work wear as well as cool accessories like bags, belts and sandals to jazz up your wardrobe. Zara has successfully won fashionistas' hearts in many countries, from the U.S. to the UK, Japan to Brazil and Saudi Arabia, to mention a few places.

The Zara stores in Jakarta are opening following an agreement reached between the Spanish company Inditex and the Indonesian company PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAP).

Starbucks, Marks & Spencer, Nine West, NEXT, Nautica, Sogo and Debenhams -- sound familiar to you? Those prestigious brands, are also owned by MAP one of the leading retailers in Indonesia. MAP, having been listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) has over 450 stores in prime locations across 22 territories of Indonesia. This retail company operates over 30 different store concepts, from sports to fashion, and department stores to cafes.

MAP posted Rp 200 billion in operating profit in 2004 a 59 percent rise from Rp 126 billion in 2003. Net profit after tax increased by 49 percent to Rp 114 billion in 2004 as against Rp 76 billion in the previous year. Net sales went up by 15 percent to Rp 2309 billion from Rp 2014 billion in 2003.

To cater to the needs of fashionistas, MAP offers merchandise from Burberry, Energie, FCUK, Kipling, Lacoste, Miss Sixty, Morgan, Oasis as well as Principles. For kids, there are OshKosh B' Gosh and Kidz Station. As for the food & beverage business, MAP owns Starbucks, Chatterbox, Courtyard as well as Spice Garden. Its specialty stores include Sole Effect, Springfield, Strandbags, Waipai and Women's Secret to name a few. Kinokuniya Bookstore, Lush and Warwick Purser Lifestyle are owned by MAP as well.

In addition, MAP is also a distributor for popular brands, such as Speedo, Dr. Martens, Union Bay, Guess Sport Footwear, Bandai, Barbie, Disney, Takara as well as Warner Bros among many others.

For sport devotees, they offer Foot Gear, The Athlete's Foot, Golf House, Royal Sporting House and Reebok, among others.

Reebok Walking Shoes have received the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle's Society's (AOFAS) seal of approval. According to its web site, with the new and improved DMX MAX, Reebok has brought back the unparalleled comfort of the original DMX 2 moving air cushioning. Most Reebok walking shoes contain the DMX cushioning system, which employs a moving cushion of air to deliver sensational cushioning and comfort. The moving cushioning delivered by the DMX system sets it apart from other athletic footwear.

Besides giving a sensational "WOW" feeling to the walker, Reebok footwear also comes in stylish models -- making this footwear popular around the world.

In yet another proof of its outstanding brand-building expertise, MAP won the Reebok International Outperform Award in November 2004 for the third time in four years -- outperforming 14 other Reebok distributors in the Asia Pacific region including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Indeed, MAP has developed a strong brand building expertise that has propelled many of its agency lines to the top in the country.

As a successful leading retail company, MAP offers everything from chic clothes to stylish footwear to luscious frappuccino.

PT. Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk
Wisma 46 Kota BNI, 8th floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 1, Jakarta
Tel: (62 21) 575 0755
Fax: (62 21) 574 0150
www.map-indonesia.com