Traders at Lucky Plaza Complains About Covid-19 Impact, 'Many Shops Have Closed'

TRIBUNBATAM.id, BATAM - Corona Virus (Covid-19) has an impact on the economic sector in Batam City, Riau Islands Province.

Including the buying and selling center for mobile phones and electronic goods at Lucky Plaza. TribunBatam.id observations, seen the number of visitors can be counted fingers.

Seen several gadget shops that choose to close.

The decreasing number of visitors is said to be the owner of a cellphone shop in Lucky Plaza, Reza.

According to him, the number of visitors has decreased since the last two months.

Nevertheless, Reza admitted that the operation was still running every day.

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It's just that the operating hours are reduced than usual.

"It's not as usual, from Monday to Friday. It's just that at 7 pm many have closed," he said.

Responding to the decline in the number of visitors, Reza admitted that he had difficulty paying rent for shop every month.

"Visitors are empty, other shops have closed down a lot. If I want to close, it's hard too. But if you open it sometimes, it is not certain that someone will buy it in a day. what to do, "he complained.

Reza regretted that Corona virus pandemic which resulted decrease of consumer consumptive behavior towards items such as gadgets.

"In this week, only 3 androids are sold. Mobile phones are bought under Rp. 4 million. Usually I want a fasting month like this who is looking for mobile phones. Especially iPhone. Last year I could sell 50 pcs before fasting, now it is difficult. My employees are forced laid off first, "he said.

The same thing was said by Anto, one of the gadget shop owners at Lucky Plaza.

He did not think that the pandemic will last long until now.

"I never thought that the virus would be this long. In fact, it is growing. Traders, have a lot to lose. How much is the operational cost of the store. The profit is just how much. Turnover dropped dramatically." he said.