The Traders Of Tanah Abang Market Are Quiet Buyers: We Have Turned Off The Price, It's Still Not Selling

A number of traders at Tanah Abang Market asked the government to immediately close the TikTok Shop due to quiet sales. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - A number of traders at Tanah Abang Market, Jakarta, have complained about their declining sales recently.

They also protested and asked the government to close the TikTok Shop.

This was revealed by them to the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (Menkop UKM) Teten Masduki during a visit to Tanah Abang Market, on Tuesday afternoon, September 19.

Based on VOI's observations in the field, the clothing traders on the LG floor of Tanah Abang Market installed a box that read 'Please delete TikTok Shop, Please sir, TikTok closed sir', until'return Tanah Abang that used to be sir'.

Anton (36), one of the traders who posted the text on the cardboard box, said TikTok Shop had greatly harmed traders in Tanah Abang.

This is because the prices offered on the platform are very cheap compared to the Tanah Abang mall and Pasar.

"Yes, asking the Minister for help, online shop, TikTok which is very influential for traders here, can (help find a solution)," Anton told reporters.

He considered that the price on TikTok Shop was very cheap and unreasonable.

In fact, the quality of the goods is the same as that sold by Tanah Abang Market traders.

"Online, the price is cheaper than in stores, even though the materials are the same. That's what we are confused about, why can the price be dropped. For example, we sell Rp. 100,000, online it can be Rp. 49,000 or Rp. 39,000," he said.

With this price difference, Anton admitted that it was difficult to catch up with prices like on TikTok.

Because, if he measures prices and follows TikTok, all of them cannot cover business capital.

"If we make our own, it also doesn't go into the price, why online can be Rp. 39,000. That doesn't make sense," he said.

It didn't stop there, the 36-year-old trader also complained that his turnover had dropped dramatically at this time.

Usually, Anton can pocket Rp. 20 million per day, but at this time this amount is very difficult to get.

"We can (income allowances) Rp. 20 million a day, now it's far away. To get Rp. 2 million, finding it difficult a day, confused my brain," he said.

Another trader named Anggi (31) also complained about the same thing.

He asked the government to immediately close the TikTok Shop because it made its sales turnover drop dramatically.

"The turnover was reduced by 80-90 percent. Usually my (income) is Rp. 40-50 million, now it's difficult to get Rp. 1 million," he said.

Seeing the cheap price on TikTok Shop, Anggi has also lowered the price of his merchandise, but still can't be cheaper than TikTok Shop.

"We have swerved prices to these obrals, they still don't sell well," he said.

However, these demands have not had time to get a response from Teten because not all shops at Tanah Abang Market have been visited.

Previously, Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (Menkop UKM) Teten Masduki encouraged the Indonesian government to immediately design electronic trading regulations to limit the entry of imported products in online stores, including TikTok Shop.

In this case, he reflected on India and the United States (US) who dared to ban TikTok operations.

"Regarding electronic trade arrangements, I think it is urgent for us to arrange them immediately. Today, online sales (online) have been controlled by foreign products," said Minister Teten in a Working Meeting with the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM, as well as Commission VI DPR RI, in Jakarta, quoted Tuesday, September 5.

"India also dares to reject TikTok, that America also prohibits TikTok, for example, sales are permissible, but it cannot be combined with social media," he added.

Teten assessed that people who shop online have been influenced by the discussion on social media itself.