Tulungagung, East Java - The Industry and Trade Service of Tulungagung Regency, East Java, said that investor interest in establishing chain minimarkets in the area continues to increase.
Head of Trade, Industry and Trade Service of Tulungagung Regency, Siti Mahmudah in Tulungagung, Monday, said that by early 2025, the number of minimarkets in this area was recorded to have reached 178 units.
Of the total 178 units, 159 units are chained minimarkets. The remaining 19 units are managed by cooperatives or MSMEs.
"Indomaret as many as 90 units, Alfamart 63 units and Alfamidi 6 units. For those managed by cooperatives or MSMEs, there are eight MSME Indomaret units, three cooperative Alfamart units, and eight other non-network units," said Siti.
He explained that a number of UMKM/cooperative minimarkets were former chain minimarkets that operated too close to traditional markets.
According to Regional Regulation Number 9 of 2017, chain minimarkets are prohibited from operating within a one kilometer radius of traditional markets.
"Because it violates the rules, the manager was given the option to stop operations or transfer them to a cooperative or MSME," he said.
Throughout 2024, the Trade and Industry Office noted that there were four new chain minimarket units added. Meanwhile, until early April 2025, no new permit applications had been received.
Siti added that even though they continue to grow, the existence of chain minimarkets remains limited according to the regional regulation, namely a maximum of 150 units per brand that are permitted to operate in Tulungagung.
He also reminded that all minimarkets, both networked and MSMEs, are required to renew their operational permits every five years.