Indonesia’s Oldest Store Sarinah to Reopen Next Year

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s oldest department store in the heart of Jakarta, Sarinah, is scheduled to reopen next year on the 76th Independence Day which falls on August 17 following its first major renovation since its establishment in 1967.

“We hope that the Sarinah building will be reopened to the public on the country’s Independence Day celebrations in 2021,” state-owned department store PT Sarinah President Director Fetty Kwartati told Kompas.com on August 19.

The project's demolition phase runs from July to September, she said. It will take a year to complete this major renovation so that it is in line with the trends of the times and the dynamics of society.

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The company that already has a strong brand identity will optimize its business practices, including promoting local products, she added. The business transformation carried out by PT Sarinah aims to accelerate the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and local products or local brands.

“We also support the government’s efforts to promote Indonesian products, to provide one-stop service for the local products and to become the local brands' distribution channel abroad and vice versa,” added Fetty.

She said the transformation of its business concept covers four areas such as retail, trading, digital service, and property. Sarinah will be transformed into a specialty store under its new business concept.

Fetty explained the specialty store will accommodate the needs of the consumers from clothes and shoes, to crafts, and health and beauty products to accessories. Food and beverage outlets will also be provided.

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To cater to the need of companies and freelancers for workspace in the city, Sarinah will also offer a co-working space where clients can work or study.