When I visited London sometimes in 2008, I managed to enter Harrods store, a super-elite department store on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, London, and yes, people stared at me. I bought something for a price that I prefer to forget. I told myself at it’d be the first and last time I’d spend my money at a store like Harrods.
I visited Harrods store in Singapore at Ngee Ann City and Takashimaya (if I’m not mistaken) several times. I had the impression (maybe it is real) that The Harrods stores at those two places got smaller and smaller. Now it only sells tea, biscuits, jams, etc. I think to myself, even rich Singaporeans still think that items sold in Harrods are too expensive.
So, it amazes me to read at Bisnis Indonesia that Harrods is getting ready to open up store in Jakarta. Seems like Al-Fayyed was amazed by the beauty of Indonesia when “Remarkable Indonesia” exhibition was held there in his store in London.
Of course, Harrods had done feasibility study before they encouraged themselves to move forward with the Jakarta store plan. They may well understand that the number of middle-class people are growing exponentially in Indonesia, something nobody can easily overlook.
Well, welcome to Indonesia, Sir!
Credit: Antaranews.com
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DwAN
11 months ago
So umm, why people stared at you?
mezo
11 months ago
are you happy with that? with the bad respond of Indonesian businessperson facing ACFTA, the coming of Harrods then will haunted them, too, since MOST of Indonesian people prefer to buy international brand items rather than buy local products. well, you should think twice before posted it as good news for Indonesia, dude. can you mention what are the good points of the coming of Harrods in Indonesia?
Akhyari
11 months ago
Mezo, thanks a lot for your inquiry (if i may call it so). And I really do appreciate and respect your point of view. There’s always third side of every story, man. And one of the most famous upmarket dept store is opening up outlet in Jakarta. Gee…that must be a big something. And what is that>?
It is a clear signal that international investor is really put their spotlites on Indonesia, and their most favourite destination. It puts them in a good confidence on us.
Not to mention the job vacancies for Indonesians.
And bru, the world is uniting, globalizing, and to face that, is to compete with things like harrods, not avoiding it.
again…thank you..
Bambang
11 months ago
just wanna add this,
for every financial seminar I attended (and not, I must add, in Indonesia, so it’s not a bias judgement), Indonesia has been repeatedly praised for what it’s doing to make the country attractive to foreign investors, and thus increasing its foreign reserves as well as for the actions the govt has taken to strengthen the economy, while their Asean neighbours are happily riding on the wave Indonesia has created. That contributed to one of the reasons why Asia rises rapidly from the recent economy downturn.
So, hello Harrods!
Bambang
11 months ago
@DwAN I believe, he meant he looked out of place?
Or maybe he’s just too handsome for the customers of Harrods to handle LOL right bro?
anakpandai
11 months ago
for additional info, Indonesia is also promoting its tourism destinations, culture, foods and other creative products in Harrods during this month
Ian
11 months ago
On some point I kinda feel you Mezo.
But to think about it again, I agree w/ bro Arry that the world is now borderless. We can no longer avoid things like Harrods or anything else. Even without Harrods our markets have been flooded with foreign stuff, not to mention the illegal ones.
I think it’s time for Indonesians to fight and compete, not crying for protections from the govt. Only thru competition the best may rise.
Now instead of France-designers goodies, maybe Indonesian designers can place their products there. We have Raden Roro and the likes, correct?
Akhyari
11 months ago
@ Dwan…i wore a black-leather jacket while others were neatly in their suites.
somsom
11 months ago
So you’re happy you “managed to enter” Harrods & bought some presumably overpriced rubbish? People were staring at you because how obviously nouveau riche you were. Get a clue.
And btw, it’s Harrods not The Harrods.
quaternary
11 months ago
well, with no money in my pocket, i don’t think that i could afford buying such stuff in Harrods.. LOL
Indo Patriots
11 months ago
Guys, why don t we think it this way, I agree with Akhyari point btw
DO U THINK 240 MILLION INDONESIANS WILL BUY AND RUSH TO HARRODS STORE??? Hmmm think twice, of course they re eyeing on upmarket shopping. And Indonesian local brands too (the one eyed at upmarket, like raden roro, or Bagteria n stuff) can simply compete with this kind of thing. Agree?
Pharme357
10 months ago
Hello! bckekee interesting bckekee site!
irawati
10 months ago
i dont know if i should be proud. but i know i am proud when i see indones ian’s products at the store