SAWANG -- The sports shop business that Sumarni has been working on for a long time began to falter when the Covid-19 Pandemic started to become endemic due to the lack of buyers.
In fact, the 'Rempit Sports Center' business, which provides a variety of sports equipment such as the Rempit Sports Center, meaning soccer shoes, tracksuits, trophies, and a variety of other sports equipment, almost went out of business.
"Covid-19 has had a significant impact on my business. Due to restrictions on community activities, especially sports, my business has been very quiet, moreover sporting events have also been postponed," said Sumarni when we met some time ago.
He explained that originally the business he was running was his son's business. However, because they work far away, they continue to run a shop that sells various sports equipment.
"My son likes sports, so seeing this business opportunity he opened a sporting goods store. But because he works far away, I will continue this business," he said.
To maintain his sporting goods store business, he took advantage of a capital loan from PT Timah Tbk through the Micro Small Business Funding (PUMK) program.
"Thank God, I didn't have to wait long for this loan proposal to be approved so that he could get an injection of capital to continue my business," he said.
Currently, there are many sporting events and competitions, so there is a lot of demand for sports equipment such as tracksuits, shoes, and trophies.
Sumarni also said that currently he also serves purchases through various applications. So marketing is done online and offline.
According to him, there are many conveniences obtained by being a foster partner of PT Timah Tbk, he can maintain his business.
"There are many conveniences and reliefs so it is hoped that this program can continue to help other MSMEs," he stated. (**)
