French hypermarket chain Carrefour is on track to expand its Indonesian network with plans to tap markets outside Java, particularly in the eastern part of Indonesia.

Carrefour currently has 85 stores, a network built since it entered Indonesia in 1996, but just 18 are located outside Java. This year, five to 10 new stores are planned for Indonesia, capitalising on the country’s booming retail market.

“We have plans to expand our business outside Java. However, there are so many components that we have to consider when we are about to open a new store, such as the population, product distribution, human resources and local regulations,” said Satria Hamid, head of public affairs, Carrefour Indonesia.

New locations are planned in Balikpapan, Manado, Banjarmasin and Pontianak while Pekan, Sumatra and Baru will get more.

This year will also see Carrefour engaged in a corporate social responsibility program. Carrefour joined a program, together with Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry and seven universities, aimed to assist cooperatives and SMEs in seven Indonesian cities.

Through the program Carrefour Quality Line, Carrefour also helps local fishermen and farmers by distributing fresh commodities overseas using its worldwide connections.

“We meet with local farmers and fishermen and verify the excellence of their products such as apples, shrimps and salmon, so we can help them export to supply Carrefour stores overseas,” said Satria.

Carrefour Indonesia is owned by Trans Ritel which holds 40 per cent stake, France’s Carrefour S.A. which owns 39 per cent, Carrefour Netherlands and Onesia BV which hold 9.5 and 11.5 per cent stake, respectively.

GB