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Sponsored Supplement: Jakarta Anniversary
Jakarta Globe Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Big Durian’s Buying Bonanza
Sahil Punjabi
J
akarta’s shopping centers
perfectly exemplify the
old-fashioned phrase “from
needles to airplanes” thanks
to the array of products and
services you can find there.
Perhaps an airplane parked in the
mall’s atrium would be a stretch, but
you get the idea. These shopping
meccas cater to all your needs.
The Big Durian takes this retail
worship a step further with the
monthlong Jakarta Great Sale 2011,
which kicked off on Friday as part of
festivitiesmarking the city’s 484th
anniversary. The extravaganza covers
dozens of malls and is expected to
draw thousands of people, not only
from Jakarta but also from other
provinces and abroad.
Forget about current events and
politics for a while and indulge
yourself in four weeks of shopping.
Residents aching to find an escape
from the rigors and stresses of urban
life — especially those who have an
unhealthy addiction to work — can
find intensive retail therapy,
guaranteed to put the spring back in
their step, at the JGS.
With discounts ranging from 10
percent to as much as 70 percent, the
event is the perfect chance for the
savvy shopper. This is a time when
retailers clear their stocks and cut
prices sharply, giving customers great
deals on clothes, accessories, food,
electronics and other goods.
The JGS is not just about
consumerism, however. Organizers
have come up with a theme, “Go
Green, Go Healthy Jakarta,” which
encourages eco-friendly waste
management practices — such as
bringing your own canvas bags
instead of using plastic — and
promoting Indonesian culture.
Chances are, as you go around the
malls, you can catch traditional
jaipongan dances and drink soothing
cups of sekoteng, a ginger drink.
The beauty of the city is that
despite the oversized malls and the
tendency of its people to emulate
Western sensibilities, in terms of
fashion and entertainment, Jakarta
still retains many of its traditions.
The JGS then becomes a platform
for the nation’s culture.
By teaming up with companies
such as national flag carrier Garuda
Indonesia and the Association of
Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies
(Asita), the festival aims to attract an
influx of international guests to
further boost tourism.
At what rate and to what extent the
retail figures will grow in this year’s
great sale remain to be seen. With the
buzz of excitement surrounding the
event, though, it wouldn’t be a
surprise if figures exceed last year’s
staggering total sales of Rp 7.2 trillion
($835 million).
Regina Deatwenne, an Indonesian
shopper, excitedly waited for the JGS’s
opening night at the Gandaria City
shopping complex, repeatedly yelling:
“Drum roll, please!”
Canadian Karina Jill shared the
sentiment: “I think I’ll be on shopping
overdrive for a while.”
On the list of favorite malls to visit
this year is Supermal Karawaci in the
west, popular due to the area’s smooth
traffic and abundance of cafes. North
Jakarta’s massive Mal Kelapa Gading,
a foodie’s paradise which also has
three separate cinemas in four blocks,
is also going to be packed.
As consumerism shifts to
high gear, let’s not forget
that the joyous squeals of
bargain hunters and the
ringing of cash registers
during the Jakarta Great
Sale are not just about
money, but about helping
and honoring the city
Central Park Mall, with its
eco-friendly architecture, is a relative
newcomer to the mall scene but has
become an instant favorite because of
its refreshing combination of green
and gray spaces.
Other shopping centers have
awesome things to offer, and
mall-hopping might be just be the
best strategy during the festival.
From year to year, JGS has gained
more popularity among the people in
Jakarta as well as tourists.
This is mainly because organizers
have responded to the need for
cultural events to be held in line with
the bargain offerings.
Families can head to the “Goelali
Children’s Film Festival” from today
through Sunday at the Main Street in
Gandaria, the JGS’s home base.
Those who are interested in comic
books can attend the “Meet and Greet
DC Superheroes” next month in
Gandaria. The event features
“real-life” appearances from Batman,
Wonder Woman, the Green Lantern
and The Flash.
The JGS is expected to draw a big
crowd, not only for these exciting
events but because mall times are
extended, allowing more people to
enjoy the experience.
“While people tend to shop abroad,
the JGS is a good shopping event
because it’s cheaper,” said Hendaka
Santosa, the chairman of the JGS
organizing committee. “The appeal is
boosted by the extension of shopping
hours to midnight.”
Tourism partnerships also make it
easy for visitors from abroad to catch
the event. “Discount flights, package
tours and special prices for lodging
also encourage people to visit and
shop abroad instead,” Hendaka said.
He said the committee aimed to
increase sales and foot traffic by 20
percent in this year’s JGS, as part of
efforts to raise tax revenue for the city
administration.
“Jakarta Great Sale 2011 is
expected to oil the wheels of the
economy in Jakarta,” said Hasan
Basri Saleh, the city’s assistant
secretary for economic and
administrative affairs.
As consumerism shifts to high
gear, let’s not forget that the joyous
squeals of bargain hunters and the
ringing of cash registers are not just
about money, but also about helping
and honoring the city.
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Sponsored Supplement: Jakarta Anniversary
Jakarta Globe Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sales Without the Snooze: Night Shopping
Sahil Punjabi
T
here are not enough hours
to go shopping at the mall
on a regular day in
Jakarta, especially for
busy workers who spend
much of their time stuck in traffic
during long commutes.
This is why night sales — part of
Jakarta’s founding anniversary
celebrations this month — give
harried citizens a chance to avail of
retail therapy even at odd hours.
While not everyone has the urge to
splurge after the stressful workday is
over — going home and relaxing is
always a sensible option — the fact
that many Indonesians flock to malls
hosting midnight sales shows this
concept has legs.
Instead of going home, changing
from office wear to evening clothes
and then going out to dinner, people
can head to the mall and unwind by
enjoying spending their hard-earned
Faced with horrid traffic
and limited shopping time
on the best of days, night
sales are opportunities
for the city’s harried
workers to avail of retail
therapy at odd hours
cash on great bargains. It’s too good
an opportunity to pass up.
When we take into account that it’s
easier to get to shopping centers after
9 p.m. — except on Fridays — because
of smoother traffic, one would agree
that night sales are the perfect
after-work pasttime.
Despite being a metropolitan city,
Jakarta — unlike other Asian cities —
is relatively short on wholesome
activities that run past regular work
hours, such as musicals, plays,
concerts, street parades and art
exhibitions.
That being said, night sales are
good evening activities for locals, if
only because they give us something
new to look forward to on weekdays.
People shouldn’t stay out too late,
though, since this might prove too
taxing for even mall enthusiasts.
As the capital marks its 484th
year, Indonesians and foreigners will
likely hear the irresistible call of
brands, bargains and bright lights.
Opening Ceremony of the Jakarta Fair 2011
President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono and First Lady,
Mrs. Hartati Muryada
Yudhoyono attending the
Opening Ceremony of
the Jakarta Fair 2011 at
Pekan Raya Jakarta on 17
June 2011.
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Sponsored Supplement: Jakarta Anniversary
Jakarta Globe Wednesday, June 22, 2011
All’s Fair at This Party
Iwan M Putuhena
T
he Big Durian celebrates
its 484th anniversary
today. And just like any
other birthday, it should
be celebrated in style. For
most of the city’s longtime residents,
the best place to do that is at the
Jakarta Fair, going on right now at the
Jakarta International Expo center in
Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
The Jakarta Fair, also known as
Pekan Raya Jakarta, was officially
opened by President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono on June 9. The fair will
run until July 10.
The Jakarta Fair, known to most
Indonesians as Pekan Raya Jakarta, is
one of the city’s biggest events of the
year. Since 1968, generations of
Jakartan families, including children,
parents and grandparents, have gone
to the fair to celebrate the city, its past
and its future.
This year, the fair is hosting more
than 2,600 national and multinational
companies, along with 1,300 indoor
and outdoor exhibits that include
merchandise and food vendors.
The main theme for this year’s
Jakarta Fair is “Accelerating
Improvements to Indonesian
Community Welfare.” One of the goals
of the fair is to get people thinking
about ways to improve the country’s
investment climate, create jobs,
promote social welfare and strengthen
Indonesia’s competitiveness in the
world market.
As in previous years, there will be
musical performances and
entertainment from 250 participants
including notable local and foreign
artists such as Iwan Fals, Slank, Nidji,
Glenn Fredly, God Bless, Syahrini,
Dewi Sandra, Tompi, Wali, Ungu,
Ari Lasso, and many more.
Even more acts, both modern and
traditional, will be performing on the
fair’s Main Stage, Gambir Stage and
Jazz Vaganza Stage.
There will also be a number of
events to promote the culture of
Jakarta’s native Betawi people during
“Batavia Week,” which will be held
from June 28 to July 2, including
traditional Betawi art performances.
Guests will also be able to taste
traditional Betawi foods such as kerak
telor.
If that’s not enough, visitors can
also watch or participate in plenty of
fun events, contests and exhibitions
such as the Fireworks Spectacular
Party, Youth Night, the Miss Jakarta
Fair Contest, Performing Arts in
Cultural Park, and more.
The Jakarta Fair 2011 committee is
expecting to draw around four million
visitors over the course of the event.
The entry admission for each visitor is
Rp 15,000 ($1.75) on weekdays and Rp
20,000 on weekends. Free shuttle
buses from the National Monument
Park (Monas) to the Jakarta
International Expo center are also
available.
So celebrate Jakarta at the fair with
your family and friends and make our
city a better place at the same time.
As in previous years, the
Jakarta Fair will be
musical performances
and entertainment from
250 participants
including notable local
and foreign artists such
as Iwan Fals, Slank, Nidji,
Glenn Fredly, God Bless,
Syahrini, Dewi Sandra,
Tompi, Wali, Ungu, Ari
Lasso, and many more
Jakarta Fair
Highlights
Maliq D'Essentials, Endah 'N Rhesa
Jakarta Fair's Main stage
June 25
Nidji, Kotak, Kapten and Nonstop
Jakarta Fair's Main Stage
June 29
Jakarta Fair Cosplay & Jakarta Fair
J-Music Fanatic
Cosplay Parade and live music
featuring JellyFish, HoneyBeaT,
Chick N Katsu, Samurai Blue, and
Obake
July 3
Jakarta Fair and Jakarta Passion
Photo exhibition by Jakarta photo
journalists
June 9 - July 3
Pusat Niaga Building 5th Floor
Glenn Fredly, Andien and Tompi
Jakarta Fair's Main Stage
July 2
God Bless
Jakarta Fair's Main
Stage
July 9