Two Weeks Opened, Mall Visitors Increase Up To 40 Percent

Illustrated. (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Shopping centers or malls in DKI Jakarta have resumed operations in line with the imposition of transitional large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). Entering the second week, mall visitors recorded an increase of up to 40 percent.

Chairman of the Indonesian Shopping Center Management Association (APPBI) Stefanus Ridwan said, although it has increased, it is not significant. This is because mall visitors are also limited during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If we look at yesterday's results from the beginning until now there is indeed an increase. Although the increase is slow, it seems that there is an increase. Initially, only 20 percent came, this week we see that it has reached 30-40 percent. So there is an increase," he said, on IDX Channel's Special Dialogue event, Thursday, June 25th.

Furthermore, Stefanus said, reopening the mall during the pandemic was a good enough step. This is because when the PSBB was implemented, the retail sector stopped completely, causing losses.

"The important thing is that we have started to move and all the wheels of the economy are moving, employees have started to enter again, and have recovered their salaries and suppliers have started to put goods into stores, I think that's a good start," he explained.

According to Stefanus, the silence of the visitors is also considered normal. Because, if you reflect on the previous few years regarding the retail market, after Eid Al-Fitr it is indeed a quiet period and has an effect on sales in malls.

Stefanus said that at this time retailers had to be patient. This is because public discipline towards health protocols is also important, considering that the spread of COVID-19 is still quite high. Moreover, DKI Jakarta is the epicenter of the spread of the virus.

"APPBI itself has committed to tighten the implementation of the health protocol. We will try to be as strict as possible. But if we do that, I don't think it's enough. The visitors, the retailers, have to come together, because it's our joint responsibility to do it. reduce the COVID-19 outbreak, "he said.

In addition, Stefanus said, if all parties carry out the COVID-19 protocol properly, the public will also feel that shopping at the mall is something that is safe and fun.

"There must be optimism," he said.