TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Trade Minister's ban over liquor sales has caused negative reviews by minimarket management, claiming that had affected their income, as explained by Jhenal Alamsyah, Sales Associate of Seven Eleven in Jatinegara, East Jakarta.
Previously, Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel signed a regulation banning the sales of alcoholic beverages in minimarkets on January 16, giving a three-months deadline for minimarkets to take down alcoholic beverage products from their shelves.
Jhenal argued that although it does not generate as much income as non-alcoholic beverages, there are poeple who prefers to buy beers and other liquors. He added that he can earn up to Rp 2 million a day from selling beers only. "Beer market share, among other beverages, is 20 percent," he said.
Slamet Riyadi, Store Manager of Indomaret Matraman, East Jakarta, also predicted that beer prohibition will affect the store's income.
RAYMUNDUS RIKANG