Ramayana resumes business in Cengkareng

JAKARTA (JP): Retail chain company PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk. reopened over the weekend one of its department stores which was burned and looted during the May 1998 unrest.

The 8,828-square-meter store, located in the newly rebuilt Cengkareng Plaza in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, is the third Ramayana store to resume operation in the past two months.

Business in the area seems to have returned to normal, with various fast food outlets, a recreation center and a number of stores resuming operations along with Ramayana department store.

Ramayana corporate secretary Hardjanto Salim said the company suffered an Rp 80 billion (US$11.9 million) loss after 12 of its stores in Jakarta and neighboring towns of Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi were destroyed during last year's unrest.

On July 31, Ramayana reopened two of its stores in Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta and in Cimone, Tanggerang.

"We are planning to reopen three more stores next year," Hardjanto said.

He said the only extra security measure the company would take in anticipation of future unrest was the recruitment of local civil defense (Hansip) members.

Hundreds of locals, most arriving in groups, packed Cengkareng Plaza on Friday.

"I am happy with the reopening of the department store. It's the only shopping center in this area," Wahdidi, one shopper, said.

The reopening ceremony on Friday, attended by West Jakarta Mayor Sarimun Hadisaputra, featured Jakartan comedian Mandra. The company also offered discounts and free samples of products during the event.

The company's spokesman, Alan Kamal, said business had not yet reached its optimum level.

"Profits will still be small. We need to cooperate with our suppliers for a joint promotion program in a bid to boost our sales," he said.

According to Alan, the promotion will feature well-known products from top suppliers, such as PT Unilever.

"In our experience, also involving celebrities in promotion programs attracts more people to come and buy," he said. (03)