Matahari to spend big on new store

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta , | Tue, 03/18/2008 1:16 AM

Publicly listed retailer PT Matahari Putra Prima is planning to invest as much as Rp 450 billion (US$49 million) on 15 new hypermarkets this year, the firm's executive says.

Director of merchandising and marketing for food business, Carmelito J. Regalado, said the new stores would be concentrated in Bali, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

Matahari's hypermarket business, under the flagship Hypermart, contributed 42.5 percent to the firm's total revenue last year.

The company recorded consolidated sales of Rp 9.8 trillion last year.

"This year we are introducing the last generation of our grocery shopping experience, by building the first Hypermart that stands alone from malls or other shopping centers," he said.

The company has just built its 38th 10,000-square-meter Hypermart store at Puri Village in West Jakarta.

"Starting from this year we are going to continue with the concept. All of our new hypermarket stores will stand on their own," Regalado said.

According to Hypermart vice president for store operations, Emi Nuel, there are currently a total of 112 hypermarkets in Indonesia.

"Carrefour has 40 stores, while Matahari has 38 stores and Giant 17 stores. The remaining ones are owned by other firms," he said, adding that the firm would remain committed to supporting small-scale suppliers with training.

"As with other Hypermart stores, we'll provide trainings for the (Puri Village) store's 80 suppliers. We have also prepared an area large enough for 20 street vendors in the back of our Hypermart in Puri Village," Emi said.

Matahari built its first hypermarket in 2004. (lva)