day 16 : Pasar Beringharjo

This afternoon, I have the chance to crawling inside the largest traditional market in Yogyakarta, Pasar Beringharjo. Without doubt, it plays a major role in Yogyakarta’s economic growth as it is a rendesvouz place of many merchants with varies traded items. Pasar Beringharjo which is located in the south most part of Malioboro street is very special because it could survive under the pressure of more modern franchised hypermarket for some reasons.

I would point to customer loyalty as a main factor of Pasar Beringharjo survival. People keep coming back to trade their items here, it even started to be overloaded though the building had been renovated into triple its original capacity years ago. We could see the spill of merchants in the market’s corridors and streets. They spread their goods along pavements and compete with road users such as pedestrians and vehicles.

Second factor of Pasar Beringharjo’s flourishness is because it is unique. Just ask visitors which came from other cities, they would spend their vacation’s time to visit this market for souvenirs. It is known as a center of many art products which are produced by local craftmen. We could find batik clothes, paintings, sculptures, traditional households,and many unique souvenirs here. It seems that Yogyakarta’s craftmen never worn out of idea to create arts, perhaps it is in their blood to be an artist.

So, I would suggest that Pasar Beringharjo would never be defeated by many grand new hypermarkets as it has its own customer and uniqueness. Unlike other traditional market which are threatened by these modern markets, Pasar Beringharjo serves many people in its way which makes people keep returning to trade. Merchants here are very intelligent that their brain always sparks for new approach to attract local and incoming but loyal customers which is unlikely owned by industrialized modern markets.

~ by 1day2remember on June 13, 2007.