Shoppers Rush to Stock Up on Food Ahead of Nyepi
Rini Djaffar pushes a trolley filled with various food items. To welcome the two holidays arriving close together, she must prepare a larger stock for her family of eight.
Rini is one of many visitors to a supermarket in Denpasar today, Wednesday (18/3/2026). They crowd every aisle and are busy selecting a variety of food ingredients. Ahead of Nyepi celebrations close to Eid al-Fitr, people are thronging to ensure household needs are met.
Rini, who will celebrate Eid al-Fitr with her family, is not only preparing Lebaran dishes but also needs for Nyepi, when outdoor activities are restricted. She buys various food items, from vegetables, kitchen spices, snacks, to ketupat.
“This includes ketupat, rice, spices, coconut milk, and all sorts. For tomorrow’s Lebaran needs too,” said the female entrepreneur when interviewed at a supermarket in Denpasar, Wednesday (18/3/2026).
According to her, this year’s Eid al-Fitr feels different. Besides preparing typical Lebaran dishes, she must adjust to the Nyepi atmosphere, including possibly not joining takbiran at the mosque.
“Coincidentally, I’m Muslim too, so preparations are as usual, normal worship. Just not to the mosque. At home only, because for women it’s not obligatory,” explained the woman from Jakarta.
In another corner, Arintia stands in a long queue at the checkout while carrying a red shopping basket. Unlike Rini, her shopping is simpler. Just some vegetables, side dishes, snacks, and kitchen spices.
Arin, her nickname, is only preparing food needs for one day during Nyepi. Although she has lived in Bali for two years, this year is her first experience undergoing Nyepi in her boarding house because she always went home before.
“Preparing food ingredients to cook for one day only, because for Nyepi, it’s just for oneself,” she added.
For the first time experiencing Nyepi, Arin admits that besides food needs, another concern is lighting inside the house. “The important thing is food. And paying attention to lighting, closing windows so light doesn’t come out,” she said.
Even though she is not going back to Jogja this year, Arin does not mind. She is even enthusiastic about undergoing her first Nyepi experience.
“Not sad, because going home later in April altogether, and excited to experience Nyepi for the first time in the boarding house,” said the 27-year-old woman.
Surge in Supermarket Visitors
Nyepi has caused a surge in visitors felt by several supermarket managers. One of them, the Fresindo Sanglah outlet in Denpasar, has seen an increase in buyers of up to 50% since four days before Nyepi.
“From Saturday onwards, the surge I estimate from Saturday was an increase of around 40-50%,” said the operational leader of Fresindo Sanglah, I Made Ardika.
According to him, public purchases are dominated by food products, both fresh ingredients and snacks. Meat, instant noodles, snacks, and cooking ingredients are the most sought-after products.
To anticipate this surge, the supermarket has prepared various strategies, from adding stock to arranging employee work schedules.
“We have anticipated this surge, we prepared far in advance by making overtime schedules for the employees,” said the 50-year-old man.
A similar situation occurred at other supermarkets in Denpasar. Even, that supermarket recorded an increase in visitors of more than 100% compared to usual days.
“Those shopping with us are extraordinary up to today. The increase can be more than 100%,” explained the Chief Operational of Tiara Dewata Tukad Yeh Aya Branch, Made Budana.
Fruits have also become one of the products heavily sought by the public ahead of Nyepi, besides food ingredients. This is because it relates to the ceremonies and offerings held ahead of Nyepi.
“And also fruits, because there is the Nyepi celebration, so that’s related to the offerings,” he said.
This predicted surge has been anticipated by adding the number of operational staff and speeding up the checkout process so that queues are not too long.