Sarinah: From Soekarno’s Vision to Indonesian Creativity

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Sarinah has been part of Jakarta’s history and Indonesia’s retail industry for more than six decades. The company was established on August 17, 1962, based on an initiative by President Soekarno, with the aim of creating a modern trading center that could support Indonesia’s economic development.

According to Sarinah’s official website, the company was initially established under the name PT Department Store Indonesia. The name Sarinah was later chosen after Soekarno’s childhood caregiver, a figure who held a significant place in his life. Her name was subsequently adopted as the company’s identity.

The vision was realized through the construction of the Sarinah Building on M.H. Thamrin Street in Jakarta. The building was inaugurated on August 15, 1966, and became Indonesia’s first shopping center. Its presence marked a new chapter in the development of modern retail in the country at the time.

Entering the 1970s, Sarinah strengthened its efforts to promote local crafts, including batik. The company was officially renamed PT Sarinah (Persero) on April 10, 1979. In the following decade, Sarinah expanded its network by opening a branch in Semarang in the 1980s.

Sarinah’s business continued to evolve in the 2000s. The company expanded beyond retail into various business activities. In 2019, Sarinah entered the trading sector and began exporting Sarinah Home products to several countries.

After nearly six decades of operation, Sarinah entered a new phase of transformation in the early 2020s. The transformation brought changes to its concept and the experience offered to visitors. Sarinah subsequently introduced the concept of “Panggung Karya Indonesia,” or “The Showcase of Indonesian Creativity,” as part of its new identity.

Today, Sarinah’s journey reflects how a trading institution has evolved alongside Indonesia over the decades. From a vision that emerged during the Soekarno era and the construction of its iconic building on M.H. Thamrin Street to its transformation into a space connecting commerce, creativity, and local works, Sarinah continues to carry a history deeply connected to Indonesia’s retail journey.