TRENGGALEK – Low trading activity at Pasar Pon has raised concerns among local authorities and merchants, as many kiosks remain inactive despite efforts to revive the traditional market.
The Trenggalek administration said weak consumer spending is not the only reason behind the quiet atmosphere at the market. Officials believe limited participation from traders also contributes to the declining number of daily transactions.
Saniran, head of the Trenggalek Office for Cooperatives, Micro Enterprises, and Trade, said many kiosk owners still do not open their stalls regularly.
“We urge kiosk owners not to take a wait-and-see approach. They should not wait for other traders to become busy first,” Saniran said.
According to him, field monitoring still shows several empty kiosks, especially around the outer sections of the market building. He believes more active traders and a wider variety of products could increase the market’s appeal to visitors.
Saniran explained that Pasar Pon briefly experienced higher activity ahead of the Eid holiday season. During that period, many traders opened temporary stalls and increased their inventory to meet stronger consumer demand.
Visitor numbers also climbed before Eid because residents spent more on food, clothing, and household needs compared with regular days.
However, activity dropped again after the holiday period ended. Traders now report fewer buyers and slower daily transactions across many sections of the market.
Saniran also acknowledged that changing shopping habits have created new challenges for traditional markets. More consumers now prefer online shopping platforms because they offer convenience and wider product choices.
Despite those challenges, the local government continues to encourage residents to do business at Pasar Pon. Authorities said kiosk rental fees remain affordable for small traders and micro-business owners.
Annual kiosk retribution fees range from Rp 1 million to Rp 1.5 million depending on location and size, according to the trade office.
Saniran also warned residents against private kiosk transactions because all kiosks remain government-owned assets.
“That is a state asset, not private property,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, a trader named Roes admitted that the market became much busier before Eid. Still, he said the number of buyers quickly declined after the festive season ended.
“After Eid, the market became quiet again, but we just keep going,” Roes said.
Many traders now hope stronger market activity and wider public participation can help revive Pasar Pon in the coming months.
Local authorities also continue searching for ways to attract more visitors and encourage traders to operate consistently inside the market complex.