Takjil traders on Jalan Panjang, Kebon Jeruk, reveal Ramadan sales trend

Takjil stalls on Jalan Panjang, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, have reported a fall in buka puasa snack sales during the second week of Ramadan. One stallholder, Desi, said the drop is customary each year and traders are not surprised. ‘This year, the first week was fairly busy. But in the past week it has fallen again,’ Desi said on Friday afternoon on Jalan Panjang.

He explained that the decrease in buyers in the second week of Ramadan is likely because people are trimming their spending while waiting for salaries or Hari Raya bonuses (THR). ‘That’s how it goes every year. The first week is busy because people are still enthusiastic about buying takjil. In the second week they usually rein themselves in, especially since THR has not yet been paid,’ he said.

Towards the end of Ramadan, sales typically rise again as people prepare for Eid. ‘Many people choose to buy takjil because they don’t have time to cook,’ he added.

He has been trading since he was about 15 and has opened a stall at that location every Ramadan. ‘Yes, every year it’s like this. That’s why we are not surprised,’ Desi said.

Another trader named Nawan, who also sells takjil on Jalan Panjang, cited weather as a reason for the fall in buyers in the second week of Ramadan. ‘Perhaps it is the rain as well, almost every evening, so people are reluctant to go out,’ Nawan said.

The takjil stalls on Jalan Panjang are inspected by the Jakarta-headquartered Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BBPOM). Nawan said the inspection is routine each year and he is not worried as long as the ingredients used are safe. ‘If it’s us, it’s fine; the important thing is we don’t use anything. I am also inspected; it happens every year,’ he said. The inspection results showed that his takjil are safe to consume. ‘Alhamdulillah, nothing wrong, safe,’ Nawan asserted.