Retailers told to improve

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)