Ten years after the IPO, Hero was proved surviving despite unfavorable economic conditions. Hero has proven itself despite unfavorable economic conditions. Entering the first decade of the 21th century the economy once again improved. Inflation and rupiah tended to strengthen and thus encouraged the purchasing power of people who were back to rise. This condition had given big retailers chances to provide for a growing market. Hero Group was even brighter in entering the year 2000s. Under the Hero Group, Starmart was opened in 131 outlets throughout Indonesia. Starmart is a mini-market with a concept of convenience focusing on consumers who want quality products with reliable and convenient services.
As for Guardian, this pharmacy, health and beauty care store, which was established a year before the birth of Starmart, also has shown satisfactory progress. Founded in 1990.
The concept of this outlet is a family health care one stop shopping solution, customers with family or relatives will get their complete health care needs. Given the favorable situation of millennium, Hero Group would inevitably face it with all of the strengths. Dairy Farm Management Service Limited reaffirmed its commitment in Hero Group by investing additional capital in 2004, Hero Group's network has followed the network which is owned by a consortium of the world's giant retailer Dairy Farm International Holdings (DFI). Thus, the Hero Group has officially become a global retailer from Indonesia and operates as do other world class retailers. This is a manifestation of what Kurnia - Hero's founder wanted in his life. "Established locally, but managed with international standard", said Kurnia when taking Hero public.
Hero Supermarket spreads its wings to transform into Giant for hypermarket segment. Giant Hypermarket was first established in Indonesia in 2002, located in Villa Melati Tangerang. In addition to strengthening the retail segment, The Hero Group market share became greater with the addition of Giant as an international hypermarket. With Giant Hypermarket, the needs of the public in several cities in Indonesia were fulfilled. Will the customer base of Hero supermarkets be disrupted by the presence of Giant? The answer is definitely no. Hero Supermarket was established for customers who want a comfortable shopping atmosphere and exceptional service excellence. Giant Hypermarket was established to accommodate the public's enthusiasm for shopping with excellent service yet great value for their money.
PT Hero Supermarket Tbk has more than 13,700 employees and serves its customers in 558 stores. As at 30 June 2012, the Company operated 43 Giant hypermarkets, 130 Hero and Giant supermarkets, 241 Guardian health and beauty stores and 144 Starmart convenience stores.
Dairy Farm through its ownership of PT. Hero Supermarket Tbk has been awarded the franchise rights to operate IKEA in Indonesia, and our first store is expected to open in 2014.
A Glance about Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited
Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited is a leading Pan-Asian retailers, is incorporated in Bermuda and has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore. At the end of December 31, 2011 , Dairy Farm Group with its associates operated over 5400 outlets employed over 85.000 people, and had total annual sales exceeding of US$ 10 Billion. As for Southeast Asia Dairy Farm operates 956 outlets (433 outlets located in Singapore, 186 outlets in Malaysia, 533 in Indonesia and 115 in India).
The group operates under well-known brands such as Wellcome (supermarket of world-class food in Hongkong, Taiwan), Maxim's Catering (Hongkong's leading restaurant chain), Cold Storage (a Well-earned reputation for its fresh food and gourmet supermarket), Jasons Market Place/Market Place by Jasons (high-end supermarket in Singapore, Hongkong, Thailand), ThreeSixty (Organic & Eco friendly supermarket) Shop N Save (discount supermarket), Giant (hypermarket), and Mannings/Guardian (health and beauty care) in various regions, also operating 7-Eleven (convenience stores), Hero (supermarket) and IKEA (home furnishing in Hongkong and Taiwan). In March 2012, the Group completed the acquisition of 70% equity interest in a company that operates six supermarkets under the Lucky Brand in Cambodia , the Group also recently acquired 50% equity interest in Rustan Supercentres, Inc in Philippines, which operates ten hypermarkets and 22 supermarkets. This company is part of the Jardine Matheson Group, Which has a diversified business group focused principally on Asia. Its interest includes Jardine Pacific, Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Hongkong Land, Dairy Farm, Mandarin Oriental, Jardine Cycle & Carriage, and Astra. These companies are leaders in the fields of engineering & constructions, transport services, insurance broking, property investment and development, retailing, restaurants, luxury hotels, motor vehicles , financial services, mining and agribusiness.
It is clear that Hero is now an integral part of the retail giant of Asia, It's awesome!