TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-The Trade Ministry said that the e-commerce business has a chance of capturing 20 percent of the conventional retail market. The scouring of conventional retail markets is likely to happen given the fact that customers are now more familiar and accustomed with online shopping, due to its time and budget efficiencies.
"This phenomenon must be supported by adequate policies and infrastructure," Srie Agustina, the ministry's acting director general of domestic trading, said during the Indonesian E-Commerce Summit and Exhibition in Serpong, Banten, yesterday.
Srie estimated that the e-commerce industry will take over 20 percent of the conventional retail market share in the next four years. Right now, e-commerce's share in the conventional retail market is five percent.
At the E-Commerce Summit opening yesterday, President Joko Widodo warned local e-commerce businesses about the "attack" of foreign players. According to the President, the acquisition of Southeast Asia's popular online shopping site Lazada by China's e-commerce giant Alibaba two weeks ago is something that industry players must keep an eye on. "It's a warning for everyone."
Alibaba announced that it has acquired Rocket Internet's stake in Lazada worth US$1 billion (Rp13 trillion). The takeover strengthens Alibaba's position in the e-commerce markets of Asia and the world. The acquisition allows Alibaba to reach 560 million online consumers in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.
To boost the quality the domestic e-commerce industry, the Trade Ministry will mandate online trade sites to register with the ministry.
The Indonesia E-Commerce Association (IDEA) is planning for an accreditation of e-commerce sites, in a bid to improve the quality and credibility of local e-commerce players. The accreditation assessment will begin in June carried out on 200 sites online sales-and purchase businesses. The assessment categories include operational sites, clarity payment, and customer service aspects.
Earlier, Minister of Communications and Informatics Rudiantara expressed his optimism that the retail e-commerce business this year can record a transactions deals total of US$20 billion or around Rp260 trillion.
ADITYA BUDIMAN
