Mall Visits Dropped as Social Distancing Ramps Up,Retailers Adapt

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta administrations to ramp up social distancing measures through the Introduction of the coronavirus emergency period drove people to remain indoors, which in turn has caused consumers’ spending to be redirected online. This has forced retailers to adapt to the situation. 

”Spending can be conducted as usual as we remain in operation. It’s just that mall visitations have dropped so we are concentrating on e-commerce,” said the chairman of Hippindo (Indonesian Shopping Centers Tenants Association) Budiharjo Iduansjah to Bisnis.com on Sunday.

This was also echoed by the Indonesian Shopping Center Association (APPBI) chairman Stefanus Ridwan who revealed that the drop is felt nationally, especially in cities with a significant number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.

”The drop in mall visitations vary but I would predict that it reaches 90 percent,” said Stefanus.

As for corporations that are unable to stop its operations, the government instructs that they continue by reducing activities to its bare minimum and urge its employees to work from home.

The drop in visitations to shopping centers is compensated by e-commerce, which is the only alternative people can satisfy their spending for essential staple goods and non-staple goods. The sheer number of buyers searching for healthcare products deemed essential amid the coronavirus outbreak caused e-commerces to be even more strict to implement its standard to ensure buyers’ satisfaction. 

"The stricter SOP includes contactless shipping that cuts down the direct contact between couriers and customers. Written signatures upon receiving packages are also replaced by photo evidence. Blibli also guarantees the health and personal hygiene of our couriers,” said Blibli Senior Vice President of Trade Partnership Fransisca Krisantia.

BISNIS