Pasar Tasik Booming Trade: Gamis Dress Sales Generating Tens of Millions from Car Boots

JAKARTA – Pasar Tasik on Jalan Cideng Timur, Gambir subdistrict, Central Jakarta, consistently attracts bustling crowds in the lead-up to Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

The market has become a popular alternative to the renowned Tanah Abang district for purchasing Eid clothing. Notably, Pasar Tasik operates through hundreds of traders who use motor vehicles to display their merchandise.

Upon arrival at the location, traders were busy arranging their goods inside their respective vehicles before the market closed at noon. Gamis dresses, koko shirts, various blouses, trousers and house dresses were being removed from mannequins displayed along the sides of the vehicles.

The vehicles used range from small to large models, including Daihatsu Gran Max, Suzuki APV sedans, APV pickups and larger Daihatsu Luxio models.

Traders then folded clothes and trousers, placing them in transparent plastic bags before arranging them inside the vehicles. The mannequins were subsequently tidied and packed for placement on top of the merchandise.

Other traders were engaged in various different activities. One trader, Zulhaimah (42), was preparing to head home when approached.

She was waiting for her husband, who was securing a small kiosk adjacent to the vehicle where they conducted their sales.

“We sell from both the vehicle and the kiosk – two locations. All gamis dresses,” Zulhaimah said.

The woman from Padang, West Sumatra explained that the majority of traders at Pasar Tasik actually originate from Tasikmalaya, West Java. However, there are also traders from the Greater Jakarta region.

According to Zulhaimah, clothing at Pasar Tasik is typically traded using a wholesale system.

“For individual purchases, there are restrictions – for example, a minimum of five gamis dresses. It’s rare that someone is permitted to buy just one dress. Typically, customers who come here buy clothing to resell,” she explained.