Strategy To Survive Street Vendors (PKL) On Jalan Dr. Mansyur, Medan Baru District, Medan City

Surviving the Streets: Strategies of Street Vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur, Medan Baru District, Medan City

Introduction

Jalan Dr. Mansyur in Medan Baru District, Medan City, is a bustling street lined with various street vendors (PKL) who operate with a wide range of merchandise. Despite facing numerous challenges, including the threat of eviction by the government and Satpol PP, these street vendors remain due to the better income they earn in this location compared to other places. This article will discuss the survival strategies employed by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur, as well as the ways they overcome the challenges in living their daily efforts.

The Urbanization of Medan: A Catalyst for Street Vendors

The city of Medan, one of the largest cities in Indonesia, has experienced rapid urbanization, resulting in a growing population. With a population of 277.5 million people in 2023, many residents have moved to big cities like Medan in search of better job opportunities. This phenomenon has encouraged the growth of the informal sector, particularly PKL, which plays a significant role in the local economy. However, their existence is often threatened by government policies that impose control over street vendors.

Challenges Faced by Street Vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur

Based on qualitative research with a descriptive approach, data collection was carried out through interviews, observations, and documentation. The results showed that street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur face a number of challenges, including eviction, decreased income during holidays at the University of North Sumatra, and weather changes that can affect the number of buyers. These challenges highlight the difficulties faced by street vendors in maintaining their business continuity.

Active Strategies: Increasing Competitiveness and Income

PKL on Jalan Dr. Mansyur have implemented various active strategies to increase their competitiveness and income. One of the most common strategies is to find a more strategic location to sell. By moving to a more crowded area or close to the center of the crowd, they hope to increase the number of buyers. In addition, they also adjust their merchandise based on market demand. For example, during certain seasons, they offer products that are more relevant and attractive to customers.

Adapting to Market Demand

Street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur have shown their ability to adapt to market demand by adjusting their merchandise accordingly. This strategy has helped them to increase their sales and competitiveness in the market. By offering products that are in demand, they are able to attract more customers and increase their income.

Extending Selling Hours: Reaching a Wider Customer Segment

In addition to finding a more strategic location and adjusting their merchandise, street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur have also extended their selling hours to reach a wider customer segment. By utilizing busy times, such as hours of work or weekends, they can reach a larger customer base and increase their sales.

Involving Family Members: Easing Workload and Increasing Productivity

Many street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur involve family members in their business. This not only helps ease the workload but also increases business productivity. By sharing the workload, they are able to manage their business more efficiently and effectively.

Passive Strategies: Saving and Managing Limited Resources

In addition to active strategies, street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur also implement passive strategies that focus on savings in everyday life. They try to live in a frugal manner, for example by reducing the consumption of unnecessary items. PKL prefers to buy clothes only when really needed and save money for future needs. In this way, they can manage limited resources and maintain family financial stability.

Network Strategy: Borrowing Money and Accessing Social Assistance

In addition to these two strategies, PKL on Jalan Dr. Mansyur also use their social networking to support their business. They often borrow money from family, friends, or neighbors when facing financial difficulties. In addition, access to social assistance from the government is also one of the solutions used to reduce economic burden. Good communication with the surrounding community helps them stay and support each other in difficult situations.

Conclusion

In dealing with various challenges, street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur show high resilience and creativity. With various strategies applied, both active, passive, and networking, they try to meet their daily needs and maintain business continuity. This is a reflection of the fighting spirit and high adaptation in an urban environment full of uncertainty. The existence of street vendors not only contributes to the local economy, but also builds rich social dynamics in the community.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

• The government should provide support and protection to street vendors, rather than imposing control over them.
• Street vendors should be given access to training and education to improve their skills and knowledge.
• The community should be more supportive of street vendors, recognizing the important role they play in the local economy.
• The government should provide social assistance to street vendors, particularly during times of financial difficulty.

By implementing these recommendations, the government and the community can work together to support street vendors and help them to thrive in their business.
Q&A: Strategies of Street Vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur, Medan Baru District, Medan City

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the survival strategies employed by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur, Medan Baru District, Medan City. These street vendors face numerous challenges, including eviction, decreased income during holidays at the University of North Sumatra, and weather changes that can affect the number of buyers. In this article, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions about the strategies of street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur.

Q: What are the most common challenges faced by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur?

A: The most common challenges faced by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur include eviction, decreased income during holidays at the University of North Sumatra, and weather changes that can affect the number of buyers.

Q: How do street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur adapt to market demand?

A: Street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur adapt to market demand by adjusting their merchandise accordingly. For example, during certain seasons, they offer products that are more relevant and attractive to customers.

Q: What is the role of family members in the business of street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur?

A: Many street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur involve family members in their business. This not only helps ease the workload but also increases business productivity. By sharing the workload, they are able to manage their business more efficiently and effectively.

Q: How do street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur manage their finances?

A: Street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur try to live in a frugal manner, reducing the consumption of unnecessary items. They also save money for future needs and prefer to buy clothes only when really needed.

Q: What is the role of social networking in the business of street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur?

A: Street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur use their social networking to support their business. They often borrow money from family, friends, or neighbors when facing financial difficulties. In addition, access to social assistance from the government is also one of the solutions used to reduce economic burden.

Q: What are the benefits of the strategies employed by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur?

A: The strategies employed by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur have helped them to increase their competitiveness and income. They have also been able to adapt to market demand and manage their finances effectively.

Q: What are the limitations of the strategies employed by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur?

A: The strategies employed by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur have some limitations. For example, they may not be able to adapt to changes in the market quickly enough, and they may not have access to the same resources as larger businesses.

Q: What are the implications of the strategies employed by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur for the local economy?

A: The strategies employed by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur have a positive impact on the local economy. They contribute to the local economy by providing goods and services to the community, and they also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the strategies employed by street vendors on Jalan Dr. Mansyur are an important aspect of their business. By adapting to market demand, managing their finances effectively, and using social networking to support their business, they are able to increase their competitiveness and income. However, there are also some limitations to these strategies, and further research is needed to fully understand their implications for the local economy.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

• The government should provide support and protection to street vendors, rather than imposing control over them.
• Street vendors should be given access to training and education to improve their skills and knowledge.
• The community should be more supportive of street vendors, recognizing the important role they play in the local economy.
• The government should provide social assistance to street vendors, particularly during times of financial difficulty.

By implementing these recommendations, the government and the community can work together to support street vendors and help them to thrive in their business.