Why hyperlocal strategies are crucial for Indonesia's retail

Locally sourcing ingredients and engaging in community ingredients are some of the strategies used to build a loyal customer base in the country.

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For a consumer market as diverse as Indonesia, a nation of over 275 million, hyperlocal retailing requires significant focus going into the future. That is exactly what some retail industry leaders came together to discuss at the Retail Asia Forum 2024 held on 16 May at Shangri La Jakarta.

The panel was composed of Anthony McEvoy, CEO of PT Sari Coffee Indonesia (Starbucks Indonesia); Andy Sumual, president director and CEO of FreshMart; and Fernando Repi, vice chairman of the Indonesia Retail Merchants Association (APRINDO).

Moderated by Juan Pisente Widjaja, senior partner at Gideon Consulting Group, the spritely exchanges focused on hyperlocal retail strategies, the challenges of expanding in Indonesia, and the impact of digital technology on the retail sector.

For all of them, certain commonalities they face around these topics are local sourcing, community engagement, and adaptation to diverse regional cultures. They also addressed competition, digital infrastructure hurdles, and the potential for Indonesian brands to go global.