Resilience in the Face of Crisis: Jatinegara Market Traders Battle Pandemic Aftermath
Table of Contents
- 1. Resilience in the Face of Crisis: Jatinegara Market Traders Battle Pandemic Aftermath
- 2. Sales plummet, Profits Dwindle
- 3. Creating Empty Files in Windows Command Prompt
- 4. Method 1: The ‘copy nul’ Command
- 5. Need to Create an Empty File in Windows Command Prompt? Here’s How!
- 6. 3 Ways to Create Empty Files in Windows
- 7. How has the shift to online shopping impacted sales at Jatinegara Market?
Two years after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, vibrant Jakarta’s Jatinegara Market is struggling. Despite the return to some normalcy,its traders continue to grapple with significantly reduced sales,a sobering testament to the pandemic’s lasting economic impact.
Sales plummet, Profits Dwindle
Wholesale shoe seller Tono paints a bleak picture. His earnings have plummeted a staggering 70% compared to pre-pandemic levels. “The end of the pandemic was a bit better, yes, but it didn’t last long. At most a year.After that, the last two years have been the worst, so from 2023 it will be really bad,” he shared.
Tono’s dwindling sales barely cover basic expenses like employee salaries, market fees, and even daily meals. “Sometimes we lose money every month. We don’t lose becuase of our employees, no. We lose because we already put our income in this market. We run out of money for daily food, for making contributions to Pasar Jaya,” he explained.”Luckily we have our own stall. If we don’t have our own, we will also think about what life should be like.”
Clothing seller Andi echoes Tono’s struggles. He has also experienced a more than 70% drop in sales since the pandemic began, with no notable betterment. “Actually, it feels the same now as during the pandemic. It’s not much different. If it goes down, it’s not much, if it goes up, it’s not much,” he said. He estimated the decline to be “around 70-80%”, often leaving him operating at a loss.
“sales now are frequently enough minus, but if it’s more frequently enough minus, I don’t know, as I don’t count the details. But in the past, in terms of trade, there was no minus, the minimum was zero, if you made a little profit or more.”
Creating Empty Files in Windows Command Prompt
Sometimes you need a blank file for various purposes like placeholders or starting points for scripts. Fortunately, the Windows Command Prompt (cmd) offers several straightforward methods to create empty files. Let’s explore three common techniques:
Method 1: The ‘copy nul’ Command
This method utilizes the ‘copy’ command along with ‘nul,’ which represents an empty device. It’s simple and efficient:
“`
copy nul empty_file.txt
“`
This command creates an empty file named “empty_file.txt” in the directory where you executed it. You can replace “empty_file.txt” with your desired filename.
To suppress any output from the command, you can redirect it to ‘nul’:
“`
copy nul empty_file.txt > nul
“`
### Method 2: Leveraging ‘type nul’
The ‘type’ command displays the contents of a file. By specifying ‘nul’ as the input, we get an empty output, which can then be redirected to create an empty file:
“`
type nul > new_file.txt
“`
This will prompt the creation of an empty file named “new_file.txt”.
### Method 3: Using an Invalid Command
While not the most conventional approach, you can create an empty file by intentionally using an invalid command. The system will attempt to create the file as a destination for the nonexistent command’s output:
“`
aaa > empty_file.txt
“`
This trick relies on the system’s behavior when encountering an invalid command. The “aaa” could be any nonsensical string.
Remember to adapt filenames and directories to your specific requirements!
Need to Create an Empty File in Windows Command Prompt? Here’s How!
Sometimes you need a blank slate to start your coding or scripting adventures.Creating an empty file in the Windows Command prompt is a simple task, even without dedicated tools like the “touch” command found in other operating systems.
3 Ways to Create Empty Files in Windows
Don’t worry, you have several options at your disposal:
1. The Copy Method:
This approach leverages the “copy” command and the “nul” device (which represents an empty data stream):
copy nul file.txt
This command creates a brand new file named “file.txt” and fills it with absolutely nothing. The “nul” device acts as a source for empty data.
2. Redirection Magic:
The “type” command, frequently enough used to display text files, can also be used creatively to create an empty file:
type nul > file.txt
Here, we redirect the output of “type nul” (which is empty) into a new file called “file.txt”. It’s a concise and elegant solution.
3. the “Invalid Command” Trick:
This method might seem a bit unconventional, but it effectively works:
aaa> empty_file.txt
trying to execute “aaa” (which isn’t a valid command) results in an error. However, the redirection operator “>” still creates the empty file “empty_file.txt”.
So there you have it—three straightforward ways to create empty files in Windows Command Prompt. Choose the method that best suits your workflow and keep building!
How has the shift to online shopping impacted sales at Jatinegara Market?
Interview: Resilience in the Face of Crisis – Jatinegara Market Traders battle Pandemic Aftermath
By Archyde News Editor
Date: January 6, 2025
In the heart of East Jakarta, Jatinegara Market stands as a testament to the resilience of small businesses in the face of unprecedented challenges. Two years after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market’s traders continue to grapple with the economic fallout, struggling to regain their footing in a world that has changed dramatically.
To shed light on this ongoing struggle, we sat down with Dr. Sari Wijaya, an economist and expert in urban market economies, to discuss the challenges faced by Jatinegara Market traders and the broader implications for Indonesia’s informal sector.
Archyde: Dr. Wijaya, thank you for joining us today. Jatinegara Market has long been a hub of commerce in Jakarta. How would you describe its current state?
Dr. Wijaya: Thank you for having me. Jatinegara Market is indeed a vital part of Jakarta’s economy, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. However, the market is facing notable challenges. while the pandemic’s immediate health crisis has subsided, its economic impact lingers. Many traders, like Tono and Andi, are experiencing a sharp decline in sales—some as much as 70-80% compared to pre-pandemic levels. This is not just a temporary setback; it’s a structural issue that reflects broader changes in consumer behavior and economic conditions.
archyde: Traders like Tono and Andi have shared that their sales barely cover basic expenses, and some are even operating at a loss. What factors are contributing to this prolonged struggle?
Dr. Wijaya: There are several factors at play.First, the pandemic accelerated the shift to online shopping, which has drawn customers away from traditional markets like Jatinegara. Second, inflation and rising costs of goods have squeezed both traders and consumers. Many traders are now caught in a cycle where they can’t lower prices to attract customers because their own costs—such as employee salaries, market fees, and supply chain expenses—are too high.
Additionally, the psychological impact of the pandemic cannot be underestimated. Many consumers remain cautious about spending, especially in crowded places like markets. this has created a “new normal” where foot traffic and sales are significantly lower than before.
Archyde: Tono mentioned that having his own stall has been a saving grace. How important is ownership or stability in physical spaces for traders during times of crisis?
dr. Wijaya: Ownership of a stall or workspace is crucial. It provides a sense of stability and reduces the financial burden of rent, which can be a significant expense. For traders like Tono, owning their stall means they can focus on weathering the storm without the added pressure of losing their physical space. However,not all traders are so lucky. Many rely on rented stalls, and for them, the combination of low sales and high rental fees can be devastating.
This highlights the need for policies that support small businesses, such as rent relief programs or subsidies for market fees. Without such measures, we risk losing the vibrant ecosystem of small traders that markets like Jatinegara represent.
Archyde: Andi mentioned that sales now feel “the same as during the pandemic.” Why do you think recovery has been so slow for these traders?
Dr. Wijaya: Recovery has been slow because the challenges are multifaceted. While the pandemic itself may be over, its ripple effects are still being felt. Supply chains remain disrupted, consumer confidence is low, and competition from e-commerce platforms is fierce.
Moreover,many traders lack the resources to adapt to these changes. For example, transitioning to online sales requires technical skills, access to digital platforms, and marketing expertise—resources that many small traders simply don’t have. Without targeted support, they are left to navigate these challenges on their own, which is why recovery has been so uneven.
Archyde: What can be done to support traders like Tono and Andi and ensure the survival of traditional markets like Jatinegara?
Dr. Wijaya: There are several steps that can be taken. First, government and private sector initiatives should focus on digital change for small traders. This could include training programs, subsidies for online platforms, and partnerships with e-commerce companies.
Second,financial support is critical. Low-interest loans, grants, or deferred payment schemes for market fees could provide much-needed relief.
we need to rethink the role of traditional markets in the modern economy. Markets like Jatinegara are not just places to buy and sell goods—they are cultural and social hubs.by promoting them as destinations for unique, local experiences, we can attract customers who value authenticity and community.
Archyde: Thank you, dr. Wijaya, for your insights. It’s clear that the road to recovery for Jatinegara Market and its traders is a challenging one, but with the right support, there is hope for resilience and renewal.
Dr. Wijaya: Thank you. Indeed, the resilience of these traders is inspiring, and with collective effort, we can help them rebuild and thrive once again.
Jatinegara Market remains open daily, welcoming visitors to experience its rich history and support its resilient traders. For more information, visit Traveloka’s guide to Jatinegara Market.
