Jokowi tells Indonesians to shop online to help revive growth

Indonesia may be hoping to replicate the success of online shopping campaigns elsewhere, like Cyber Monday in the US or Singles’ Day in China, started by major retailers before morphing into nationwide consumption free-for-alls. — AFP Relaxnews

Indonesia has tried all kinds of tricks in the book to revive sluggish consumer spending, from tax-free cars to cashbacks, to little result. Now it’s turning up the hype on online shopping.

More than 70 e-commerce platforms, including giants PT Tokopedia, Lazada Group SA and Shopee, are taking part in the “national shopping week” launched Wednesday with President Joko Widodo coming onto a televised programme to promote it, while local celebrities sang a jingle to get people to buy products from batik fabrics to “semprong” biscuits.