Tanah Abang Sepi Pembeli, Pedagang Menjerit

Summary

The Tanah Abang market in Jakarta, once bustling, now faces a significant decline in visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of online shopping. Traders express frustration over reduced foot traffic, with many now turning to e-commerce platforms to sustain their businesses. Despite efforts like live Instagram selling, sellers struggle to compete with the lower prices found online, leading to a sharp decrease in sales. Affected traders hope for more support and regulation to address the challenges posed by online competition and to revitalize the market.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected the foot traffic at Tanah Abang market in Jakarta, leading to a decline in visitors.
• 😀 Many consumers are shifting to online shopping due to convenience and lower prices compared to the market's in-store offerings.
• 😀 Traders at Tanah Abang market are struggling with a lack of customers and are exploring alternative methods to keep their businesses afloat.
• 😀 Some sellers have started to use e-commerce platforms like Instagram to promote and sell their products online to reach a broader audience.
• 😀 A significant challenge for traditional traders is competing with online sellers who offer products at lower prices, often below market rates.
• 😀 The quietness of the market, particularly in Block A and Block B, is leading to many shops closing, with a reported 60-65% of shops closed on Sundays.
• 😀 Sellers, such as Sis Yola, who have been in business for years, are feeling the effects of decreased sales and competition from online platforms.
• 😀 Sis Yola, a vendor at Tanah Abang, reported a significant decline in sales from around 5 million rupiah to just 500,000 to 1 million rupiah post-pandemic.
• 😀 The growth of online sales, especially on platforms like Tokopedia, is seen as a direct competitor to traditional markets like Tanah Abang.
• 😀 Despite moving to online sales, some traders are still not seeing increased profits, and they hope for government intervention to regulate e-commerce pricing to avoid market destabilization.

Q & A

What is the main reason for the lack of visitors at Tanah Abang market?

The main reason for the lack of visitors at Tanah Abang market is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a shift in consumer behavior, with more people turning to online shopping rather than visiting physical markets.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected traders at Tanah Abang?

Traders at Tanah Abang have experienced significant financial losses due to decreased foot traffic caused by the pandemic. Many shops have had to close, and the remaining businesses are struggling with lower sales.

What has been the impact of online shopping on traditional markets like Tanah Abang?

Online shopping has caused a decline in foot traffic at traditional markets like Tanah Abang. Consumers prefer the convenience and lower prices available through online platforms, which has significantly reduced the number of people visiting the market.

What steps are sellers at Tanah Abang taking to adapt to the changing market conditions?

Sellers are adapting by using online platforms, such as Instagram and e-commerce websites, to continue selling their products. For example, one seller was seen using Instagram Live to showcase and sell her merchandise.

How has the use of e-commerce affected the pricing of products at Tanah Abang market?

The rise of e-commerce has led to price competition, with some online prices being significantly lower than those in traditional markets. This pricing difference makes it difficult for brick-and-mortar sellers to compete and has contributed to reduced sales in the physical market.

How has the turnover of sellers at Tanah Abang changed since the pandemic?

The turnover of sellers at Tanah Abang has drastically decreased since the pandemic. One seller mentioned that her turnover has fallen from 5 million IDR to only 500,000 IDR, showing a significant drop in sales.

Why are some shops in Tanah Abang market closed on Sundays?

Some shops in Tanah Abang market are closed on Sundays because of low sales and the reduced number of visitors. It has been reported that about 60 to 65% of shops are closed on Sundays, with weekdays experiencing even lower foot traffic.

What does the interview with Yola reveal about the challenges of selling both online and offline?

Yola's interview highlights the difficulty of competing with online prices, as online sellers often offer products at significantly lower prices. This price difference has made it challenging for offline sellers to maintain profitability, as they cannot match the low prices set by e-commerce platforms.

What is Yola's opinion about the impact of online shopping on her business?

Yola believes that the rise of online shopping, particularly through platforms like Tokopedia, has had a negative impact on her business. She finds it hard to compete with the lower prices offered online and feels that her sales have been greatly affected by this trend.

What is the general sentiment among traders at Tanah Abang regarding the future of their businesses?

The general sentiment among traders at Tanah Abang is one of concern and uncertainty. Many are struggling with significantly lower sales and are worried about the future of their businesses, as online platforms continue to dominate the market.