Akulaku Encourage MSMEs to be Adaptive during Covid-19 Pandemic

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are expected to be more adaptive in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. For this reason, Akulaku continues to support MSME players to deal with changes in consumer behavior due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Akulaku Finance Indonesia Corporate Secretary Wildan Kesuma said that current business owners must be able to adapt by optimizing the use of digital platforms when there is a situation of limited physical interaction that occurs.

“Akulaku realizes that MSMEs have an important role in the rotation of the Indonesian economy. For this reason, we are committed to providing sustainable initiatives and education for micro-entrepreneurs to be more adaptive and able to formulate the right strategy in the era of new habits,” Wildan said in a press release, Saturday. (1/5).

New Trend Emerges as the Pandemic Effect

Head of Business Development Akulaku Silvrr Indonesia Yudhistira Luntung said there were a number of trends that should be observed by MSME entrepreneurs in determining sales strategies in the new habit era.

First, online shopping traffic has increased significantly in the last year due to the social restriction policy.

This is confirmed by research from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which states that the volume of consumer spending on the marketplace platform has increased by 65% ​​during the pandemic.

“The pandemic provides better opportunities for merchants because consumer shopping patterns are now being driven to be completely online,” said Yudhis.

Second, the pandemic has also increased the tendency of consumers to shop for local brands. There has been an increase in search volume for a number of product categories that are identical to local brands during the pandemic.

This can be utilized by local brand owners because their exposure to their products increases significantly organically without having to spend money

Finally, the volume of online shopping transactions has historically always reached its highest point before the Eid period and online shopping festivals before the turn of the year.

“Business actors need to pay attention to the momentum ahead of the Lebaran period. During that period, workers receive THR which increases their chances of spending more,” concluded Yudhis.

Akulaku Reveals List of Popular Online Products Ahead of Eid

Kredivo and Akulaku Group describe a line of online products that consumers are interested in before Eid. The two companies are also preparing promotions to encourage transactions.

Akulaku has two subsidiaries, namely Akulaku Silvrr Indonesia which provides a marketplace, and Akulaku Finance Indonesia which provides financing. Based on data from Akulaku Silvrr, clothing is the product most sought after by consumers ahead of Eid.

“More specifically, Muslim fashion. Then accessories such as watches or earrings, “said Head of Business Akulaku Silvrr Yudhistira Luntung during a virtual discussion entitled” Optimizing MSME Opportunities in the New Habit Era “, Friday (30/4).

In the midst of the corona pandemic, products in the form of hampers or gifts are also in demand. This is because people’s mobility is still limited. This condition also increases the purchasing power of consumers, because the money that is not used to return home can be used for shopping.

“We can say, the shopping trend is now higher,” he said. To maximize transactions, Akulaku also held promotions. However, Yudhistira did not specify the offer that would be made.

Based on Katadata Insight Center and Kredivo’s research entitled ‘Indonesia E-commerce Behavior Report 2020’, the value of product transactions in the gadget, fashion and household categories is the largest ahead of Eid.

In addition, there was an increase in transaction value of up to 1.8 times on the second Eid compared to normal days. Significant product purchases occur when there are shopping festivals with a variety of offerings.

Therefore, Kredivo is also intensifying promotions to encourage transactions. Promos are given in the form of 0% installments for three and six months, held from April 25 to May 1.