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‘Warung’ 2.0: traditional vendors embrace technology to develop business
The ubiquitous sidewalk stalls have been affected by rapid technological advancement.
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Vendors and patrons smile in the interior of a ‘warung’ (sidewalk shop) at the opening of the National Warung Movement Festival in Lapangan Banteng, Central Jakarta, on Dec. 14. (JP/P.J. Leo)
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ast-paced advancements in technology over the past decade have affected almost every aspect of life. Even the warung (sidewalk shop) has been transformed.
Wahyu Catur, a 45-year-old freelancer who frequently travels around Greater Jakarta, said transactions at warung had become easier as many had gone digital.
“Even if I don’t bring cash with me, I will still able to buy things from warung that have enabled digital payment,” he said.
The digitized system has helped warung owners’ businesses, both in procuring merchandise and facilitating alternative payment methods.
Rofiatun, a 37-year-old warung vendor who works near Kranji Station in West Bekasi, is constantly struggling to compete with the minimarkets that are popping up in every corner of her city.
To stay afloat, Rofiatun has decided to embrace technology. She uses the “Mitra Tokopedia” mobile application for traditional vendors created by online marketplace Tokopedia.
The app features product listings to bundle products at competitive prices along with a number of online payment methods.
