In an era dominated by convenience and digital speed, small neighborhood stalls often fade quietly into the background. With just a few clicks, we can have groceries, toiletries, or snacks delivered to our doorsteps from major online platforms or modern minimarkets. While this shift makes our lives easier, it also comes at a cost — a slow but steady decline of local micro-enterprises that once formed the heart of our daily routines.
I personally believe that choosing to shop at local stalls is not merely a financial transaction. It is a conscious decision that reflects our values and priorities. These tiny warungs, often run by families, are more than just shops. They are social spaces where trust is exchanged, not just goods. They are reminders of a community where people know each other by name, where a stall owner might still let you buy something on credit simply because they trust you.
Data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs shows that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contribute more than 60 percent of Indonesia’s gross domestic product and employ over 97 percent of the national workforce. Despite these significant contributions, MSMEs remain vulnerable and under-supported, especially during economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic or inflation surges. These businesses often operate on thin margins, and their survival depends directly on the daily support of local customers.
I believe it is time we reassess how we define convenience. Is it really more convenient to bypass a five-minute walk to a nearby stall just to click on an app and wait for delivery? Or are we becoming conditioned to ignore the deeper consequences of our consumer behavior? Choosing to buy a pack of instant noodles or a bottle of cooking oil from a local stall might seem insignificant, but these small acts accumulate into powerful support systems for the community.
By shopping at local stalls, we are helping someone pay their electricity bill, send their child to school, or stock their shelves for another day. We are preserving a culture of community-based economy that values trust, familiarity, and mutual care — something that faceless corporations cannot replicate.
I am not suggesting we abandon modern markets entirely. They have their place, especially for items that small stalls cannot provide. But what I do believe, strongly, is that we need to maintain balance. Our neighborhood stalls deserve to be seen as more than old-fashioned or inconvenient. They deserve to be recognized as pillars of economic resilience, especially for lower-income communities.
If we allow these warungs to disappear, we are not only losing a place to buy sugar and eggs. We are losing part of our cultural fabric, our sense of belonging, and our ability to shape a more inclusive economy.
So next time you pass by a stall on the corner of your street, consider stopping by. Say hello. Buy something. Contribute. Because sometimes, the simplest way to support your community is just to shop local.
source: https://jatengprov.go.id/beritadaerah/ukm-picu-pertumbuhan-ekonomi-di-tengah-pandemi-covid-19/
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