The Onslaught Of Online Shopping And Kumuh Market Conditions, Kramat Jati Traders 'Forbid' To Jakarta Legislators

Atmosphere At Kramat Jati Main Market/ Photo: ANTARA

JAKARTA - Kramat Jati Market, East Jakarta, is getting quieter. Traders are restless because turnover continues to decline as visitors are quiet.

Member of Commission B of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Andri Santosa, said that he often received complaints from traders about the decline in purchasing power in the market.

"We have received many complaints from traders at Kramat Jati Market regarding the lack of buyers. This is a serious problem that must be handled immediately by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government," Andri said when met in Jakarta, Friday, July 25.

Andri said that the decline in the number of buyers not only had an impact on the daily income of traders, but also threatened the existence of traditional markets as one of the backbones of the community's economy.

According to traders, competition with online shopping platforms is one of the main causes of the decline in the number of visitors. People now prefer to shop through the application because it is considered more practical.

On the other hand, the increasingly unmaintained physical condition of the market also worsens the situation. At Kramat Jati Market, a number of stalls, such as in Block C and H, look dull, full of dust, and even look shabby.

"Traders complain that their daily turnover is now only hundreds of thousands of rupiah. In fact, in the past they could get millions of rupiah. This is very concerning, especially since they still have to bear operational costs such as electricity," said Andri.

He also encouraged the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to immediately take strategic steps to revive traditional markets in order to be able to compete in the midst of online shopping attacks.

"We must innovate in attracting public interest. Traditional markets must not be less competitive with modern shopping centers or online platforms," he said.