Retailers told to improve

JAKARTA (JP): An analyst warned yesterday that domestic retailers would face fiercer competition from their foreign rivals and therefore should develop strategies to exploit their advantages.

"We can no longer avoid the expansion of foreign retailers into Indonesia because, as a matter of fact, they exist here under franchise arrangements," director of the Indonesian Business Data Center Christianto Wibisono said at a retail business convention.

He suggested the government allow foreign retailers to come to Indonesia on a reciprocal basis which would require the retailers' countries to let in more Indonesian products.

"To secure the future of Indonesia's retail business, democratization of business activities and deregulation will be absolutely essential," Christianto said.

Christianto said small retailers should focus on specific products because they could not depend on bigger retailers for help.

Yesterday's convention was part of a three-day retail exhibition organized by the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo). It was held at the Jakarta Fair Ground in Central Jakarta.

Aprindo, established 1994, groups 184 retailers. (06)