Supermarkets stocks up for Ramadhan, Idul Fitri onslaught

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Supermarkets in the city are starting to pile their stocks welcoming the Ramadhan fasting month when Muslim residents increase their consumption during the next month.

Interviewed separately, Ripto Rahardi of Gelael Supermarket on Jl. MT Haryono in South Jakarta and Budi Wahyudi of Hero Supermarket at Plaza Senayan, Central Jakarta, told The Jakarta Post that there had yet any significant increase of sales prior to the first day of the fasting month.

"Usually it will increase slowly during the first week," said Ripto. "But we have prepared an increase of between 15 percent and 20 percent as an anticipation."

Budi also said that his store had yet to experience surging demands from customers, saying the increase might happen beginning the third week of fasting month.

Ripto said usually the customers looked for items that were related to breaking the fast such as dried dates, syrup, coconut- based nata de coco, and other types of light refreshment.

Both Budi and Ripto also said they would increase the stock nearing Idul Fitri as most of food-producing factories would stop their operation allowing the workers to celebrate the holidays with their families.

Budi added usually his store started piling up stocks seven days before the start of the fasting month.

"We increase, for example, the amount of syrup stock some 10 percent to 30 percent," he said.

Despite reports about sharp price hike for several commodities in traditional markets, Budi and Ripto said prices in their supermarkets were still stable.

"We even provide less price for certain items regularly such as for fresh meat," Budi said.

Ripto said that his store still put old prices for most items such as rice, sugar and flour, which are the old stock.

"I haven't checked yet with our suppliers whether there will be any price increase," he said.

Meanwhile, Ega, a housewife in Pancoran, South Jakarta, said her family did not buy more than usual for the fasting month.

"I only buy more light refreshments such as syrup and nata de coco to break the fast.

"There are a lot of supermarkets and warung in my neighborhood so I don't think it is necessary to pile up my stock," she said.

Ega said she usually shop meat, poultry or fish every two or three days to keep them fresh.

Another housewife, Bonita of Jatiwaringin, East Jakarta, said she had bought more instant noodles, cooking oil and light refreshments to break the fast.

"But I did not pile up stock on meat, poultry or fish," she said.

She said that the price of chicken remained stable at between Rp 13,000 and Rp 15,000 each, while the eggs have increased from Rp 7,500 last week to Rp 8,800 per kilogram on Wednesday.