Indonesia Retail Sector Market Size

Retail in Indonesia Market Analysis

The retail sector in Indonesia remains one of the most promising markets among Asian countries, on the back of its large population and the growing middle class with higher household purchasing power and increasingly modern spending habits. However, the sudden COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the market into lockdowns, resulting in a drop in the revenues of the physical distribution channels. The small and unorganized players incurred several losses, of which some result in a temporary halt of the business activities. Though the consumption was largely affected by higher prices for food, electricity, etc., during the initial year of the study period, i.e., during 2018, the retail sector got back to track with the support of lower credit cost, increasing employment, and an expansion of social welfare.

In Indonesia, household consumption has slowed down in the past two years, which is a great concern, as household consumption has been the biggest driving factor for the economy and is of greater importance than investment, exports, and government spending. Private consumption in the form of household spending has always accounted for more than 50% of the nation's GDP yet. There has been a slowdown in consumption growth. The retailer's profit margins were unstable during the study period and were largely affected by the sudden COIVD-19 pandemic. The retail sector is expected to witness a slow recovery rate in the country owing to the people's purchasing power which remained sluggish due to the pandemic.