Shopping Centres Believed to Remain Bustling Despite Weakening Rupiah

Chairman of the Indonesian Shopping Centre Management Association (APPBI) Regional Leadership Council (DPD) DKI Jakarta, Mualim Wijoyo, expressed optimism that shopping centres in Jakarta will remain bustling with visitors even though the rupiah exchange rate is weakening against the US dollar. Mualim assessed that public consumption stability is maintained thanks to the support of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government through various shopping festivals and the provision of incentives for business operators. One of the driving forces is the Jakarta Festive Wonders event, which has proven effective in boosting residents’ shopping interest. “So far, the government has provided support. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government held Jakarta Festive Wonders as an event to drive shopping. So, the issue of the dollar’s rise is different from domestic shopping enthusiasm,” said Mualim at the opening of the Festival Jakarta Great Sale (FJGS) in Jakarta on Wednesday (11/6). Furthermore, Mualim explained that the appeal of malls today no longer solely relies on conventional buying and selling transactions. Shopping centres have transformed into vessels for experience for visitors, which keeps visit levels high. Regarding the implementation of the 2026 Festival Jakarta Great Sale, which runs from this Wednesday until 22 July 2026, APPBI is targeting a fairly ambitious transaction figure. “We are optimistic that the sales target of Rp16 trillion can be achieved, especially as the momentum coincides with the school holiday period,” he added. The 2026 FJGS, held in celebration of Jakarta’s 499th anniversary, is being participated in by 104 shopping centres across the Jakarta area. Beyond large malls, this event also involves Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as part of a strategy to strengthen the local economy. Echoing Mualim, Uus, a representative of the organisers, confirmed that FJGS is a strategic step to turn the wheels of the economy amidst global challenges. He expressed hope that malls can act as a guardian for MSMEs in their vicinity through inclusive collaboration. Although people’s purchasing power faces pressure, optimism remains high based on Jakarta’s still-positive economic growth and controlled inflation rate. “We must be optimistic. Jakarta’s economic growth is quite high and we have managed to control inflation well,” concluded Uus.