Fall in Consumption Needs to be Further Studied

Kompas/Agus Susanto

Residents shop at the Skouw border market in Muara Tani district, Jayapura, Papua, Saturday (15/7). Most people shop for daily needs as prices are cheaper than in in Papua New Guinea.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The assumption that the fall in people’s consumption was based solely on the drop in retail sales should be further studied because the retail category not only comprises consumer goods but also industrial products.

Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said in Jakarta on Wednesday that the decline in retail sales should be further studied. "They should be differentiated. There are consumer products and industrial products. If we talk only about the consumer market, it is only a half of the market," Airlangga said, adding he hoped that the purchasing power in the country would increase further.