Shopping centers, malls lay on huge sales spree

JAKARTA (JP): Despite losses suffered by the retail industry from last month's social unrest, 13 shopping centers and malls are taking part in a one-month special sale from yesterday in conjunction with the city's 471th anniversary, an executive said.

Steve Sondakh, chief coordinator of Jakarta Great Sales, told reporters, however, that the event would not be as big as last year due to the economic crisis.

The city's anniversary, which was usually celebrated on June 22, will be commemorated on July 4 this year.

"Actually, it's not easy to hold the event in such a crisis," he said.

But the committee wanted to continue the tradition, which started last year, to support retailers through hard times, he said, adding that more shoppers were expected to fill the shopping centers due to the event.

"That's why we can't set any targets. We just ask malls and shopping centers to participate in the event," he said.

The malls and shopping centers in Central Jakarta participating in the sale include Plaza Atrium, Sogo, Plaza Indonesia, Sarinah and Rimo, while those from South Jakarta are Blok M Mall, Pasar Festival, Mal Pondok Indah, Mal Kalibata and Plaza Senayan shopping center.

Others are Matahari and Pasaraya department stores throughout the city and Mal Taman Anggrek in West Jakarta.

Sale prices will be continued through July 14.

Sondakh, who is also the director of Hero Supermarket, said that the amount of the discounts at each store would be determined by their owners.

Matahari department store, for example, is offering discounts of up to 50 percent, while Plaza Indonesia has slashed some prices as much as 80 percent, he said.

Sondakh said no ceremonies were planned for the opening or closing of the sale because of the crisis. Last year's event saw a large-scale ceremony headed by former governor Surjadi Soedirdja and several public figures.

The committee's secretary, Kustarjono Prodjolalito, said that the sale was part of the city's plan to boost the tourist industry.

"That's why the administration enthusiastically supports the event through a tax exemption on banners (and billboards related to the sale)," he said.

Kustarjono said this year's target for the sale was to attract buyers from other cities and other ASEAN countries next year.

"But due to the disaster, I don't know whether that target can be met." (ind)