On 20th May 2018, Sarinah became the focus of an article in Kompas.com — the online news portal of Indonesia’s longest-running newspaper Kompas — which highlighted the company's long and rich history. The article, quoting a Kompas story from August 1965, elaborated on how Sarinah became the pioneer retail hotspot that housed a movie theatre, restaurants, as well as other services such as tailor and barber shops. The department store’s location on Jalan MH Thamrin in Jakarta was inaugurated in 1966 and became the city’s first skyscraper; standing at 74 metres tall consisting of 15 stories.
Sarinah was pioneered by President Soekarno — Indonesia’s first president — who envisioned the country transforming into a major commercial centre as it continued to develop. The company’s name was a tribute to the president’s caretaker, Ms Sarinah, who taught him to love and appreciate the people. Soekarno hoped Sarinah would help drive Indonesia’s economy by becoming a stimulator, mediator, and distributor for SMEs and communities across the archipelago.
On November 1966, Sarinah opened three new floors and a basement, selling various products including apparels and accessories, homeware, as well as food supplies. In 1992, the department store then diversified into retailing handicrafts, providing assistance to numerous local artisans and SMEs specialising in this unique art form. As handicrafts became increasingly sought after, Sarinah rearranged its store layout to house more than 8,000 types made by some 470 craftsmen — making it Indonesia’s largest and most complete handicrafts centre.
Since its establishment over fifty years ago, Sarinah has become the most trusted source of quality local products from the archipelago. Success in this regard stems from the company’s founding mission of collaborating with SMEs to identify goods that not only appeal to an increasingly well-heeled local population but also to overseas buyers.