FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Ramadan bargain-hunters feast on Indonesia's midnight sales

Ramadan bargain-hunters feast on Indonesia's midnight sales

Dita Wirasti, 18, was thrilled to see the bucket bag she fancied discounted by 80 per cent at a midnight sale in South Jakarta's Senayan City mall on Saturday night. She snapped it up right away.

“The original price was 1 million rupiah [Bt3,020] and I bought it for only 200,000 rupiah,” she said while showing off the bag.
Dita, who was shopping with her family, said, however, that other than the bag, none of the other items that she bought were significantly discounted. “The passport holder and cosmetics I bought were both only 20 per cent off,” she said.
Dita said that although the sales were not as big as she had expected, she enjoyed shopping late at night during Ramadan as she had more energy compared to shopping while she was fasting.
“Me and my family plan to shop until 1am,” she said. 
A number of shopping malls in Jakarta held midnight sale events to cater to more buyers ahead of Eid al- Fitri. 
Hundreds of people, with their friends, spouses and children, flocked to shops, grabbing the best offers they could find.
Some buyers, however, enjoyed the extended mall hours rather than the offers. 
Like Dita, 27-year-old Cahaya Kinanti said the discounts offered by many tenants were regular discounts also available during the day as well. 
“Some items that were given huge discounts were just old collections in bad condition,” she said, adding that she eventually only purchased two clothing items.
She also complained about the crowds, saying that lines at cash registers were too long and that it was hard to find parking spots. 
Cahaya, who was on the hunt for wedding items, said, however, she was grateful for the extended store hours as she usually got off work late.
“I don’t plan on being here long but least I don’t have to shop hastily,” said Cahaya. 
Senayan City marketing director Veri Y Setiady said his company offered 25 hours of non-stop sales so customers could shop in a more relaxed manner and experience a different shopping atmosphere.
Veri said Senayan City also provided entertainment, vouchers for sahur (pre-dawn meals) and free parking to entice shopaholics to stay longer.
“As many as 85 per cent of our tenants are participating,” he said. 
Veri said his company had targeted transactions four times higher than those during regular midnight sales.
Joy Agatha, a marketing manager of Debenhams at Senayan City, said her store applied progressive discounts for customers.
“The discounts will increase as buyers shop later,” she said, adding that some of the brands offered up to 50 per cent discounts.
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