Trade Ministry rolls out retail discount programmes to sustain purchasing power

The Ministry of Trade is providing discount programmes at several shopping centres and department stores to maintain public purchasing power for domestic products.

“Regarding the consumer confidence index, that is why we are creating discount programmes in department stores as a way to stimulate growth or purchasing power for domestic products,” said Minister of Trade Budi Santoso at Trans Studio Mall Cibubur on Thursday.

The move follows a Bank Indonesia consumer survey that showed the Consumer Confidence Index reached a level of 117 in June 2026.

The discount programmes include the ‘Belanja di Indonesia Aja’ (BINA) campaign during the lead-up to Eid al-Fitr, Idul Mubarak, and Merdeka Madness, conducted by the Indonesian Shopping Centre Tenants and Retailers Association (HIPPINDO), the Indonesian Shopping Centre Management Association (APPBI), and the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo).

Additionally, Budi assessed that public demand for domestic fashion products continues to show a positive trend, increasing by 4.3 per cent.

“Currently, the portion of domestic products is actually 60 per cent. Firstly, because of the quality, but perhaps also because demand for domestic products continues to rise,” Budi said.

Meanwhile, President Commissioner of Metro Department Store Anita Ratnasari Tanjung noted that public interest in local MSME products continues to increase. MSME players are now more innovative and able to keep up with market trends to meet the needs of millennials and Generation Z.

“Local MSME products, especially from Indonesia, are now in very high demand because they are certainly creative, innovative, and in line with demand. So they are also active with digitalisation programmes. Thus, they suit the needs of young people,” Budi explained.

Metro Department Store currently allocates around 60 per cent of its sales space for domestic products. All products, including fashion, are guaranteed to have passed a curation process. In addition, Metro continues to expand its business network from Jakarta to Karawang, Bandung, Depok, Surabaya, Solo, Makassar, and Manado.

Anita expressed hope that the collaboration between the government, Metro, and MSME players can continue so that more local products can develop and become innovative and creative.