Ramadan is a sacred and highly anticipated time for Indonesians, not only as a month of fasting and spiritual reflection but also as a period of increased consumer spending.
According to our recent survey in the first part of this article, during this holy month, shopping habits shift significantly as people prioritize food, charity, and preparations for Eid Al-Fitr. Only 38% of Indonesians plan to reduce their budget for Ramadan 2025, while a significant 89% will focus on budget efficiency rather than cutting down expenses [1].
With this in mind, let’s explore further about the key spending habits, shopping preferences, and payment trends that will shape Ramadan 2025 in Indonesia.
In this study, we discovered that Indonesians allocate most of their Ramadan budget toward essential expenses. The top four spending categories include:
- Food & Beverages (51%) – The biggest expense, covering meals for Suhoor and Iftar. Interestingly, Baby Boomers spend the most on food and beverages (69%), while Gen Z and Millennials spend relatively less.
- Charity (12%) – Donations and giving back to the community.
- Iftar Gatherings (11%) – Costs related to hosting or attending Iftar events.
- Preparation for Eid Al-Fitr (10%) – Shopping for clothes, gifts, and home essentials.
Moreover, breaking the fast is an essential part of Ramadan, and many Indonesians prefer preparing their own Takjil at home, with 54% of respondents choosing this option. Meanwhile, 26% buy Takjil from street vendors near their home or office. A smaller percentage, 4%, prefers dining out at cafes or restaurants, while 3% opt for online food delivery services. The remaining 12% are still undecided about their meal plans.
Online vs. Offline Shopping Trends
Helena, Sales Manager of Snapcart in Jakarta (27/2) said, “Despite the rapid growth of e-commerce, offline shopping remains the preferred choice for most Indonesians during Ramadan 2025, with 71% opting to shop in physical stores, while 29% prefer online shopping. This indicates that traditional and in-person shopping experiences still play a significant role during the holy month.”
For those who shop offline, traditional markets remain the most popular choice, with 44% of respondents visiting them. Followed by street vendors who attract 19% of offline shoppers, that indicates many Indonesians rely on these vendors for quick and affordable meal solutions.
Supermarkets and department stores outside malls account for 13% of offline shoppers. Meanwhile, small kiosks (warung) attract 12% of consumers looking for quick purchases in their neighborhoods.
However, shopping in malls is less common, with only 7% of respondents visiting supermarkets, stores, and restaurants inside malls. In this year’s Ramadan, minimarkets also rank the lowest among offline shopping destinations, with only 6% of shoppers choosing them. This suggests that while modern markets remain an option, most Indonesians prefer traditional markets and local shops for their Ramadan shopping.
While offline shopping dominates, 29% of Indonesians still prefer online shopping, highlighting the continued growth of e-commerce platforms. Online retailers will likely attract consumers looking for discounts, convenience, and a wider selection of goods. There are top 5 e-commerce platforms that will dominate Ramadan shopping, with Shopee leading at 84%, followed by:
- TikTok Shop – 28%
- Tokopedia – 27.94%
- Alfagift – 18%
- Lazada – 16%
Furthermore, shopping behavior shifts during Ramadan, with different peak hours for online purchases.
The most popular time for online shopping is in the afternoon (Ngabuburit, 4 PM – 6 PM), when 24% of consumers browse and make purchases. This aligns with the pre-Iftar waiting time, as many people shop while anticipating their meal.
The second busiest period is daytime (12 PM – 3 PM), accounting for 23% of online shopping activity. This is followed by nighttime (7 PM – 12 AM), when 22% of people shop online, likely after breaking their fast and engaging in evening prayers.
Morning shopping (7 AM – 11 AM) is preferred by 17% of consumers, while Suhoor-time shopping (2 AM – 4 AM) sees the least activity, at 13%.
In addition, the rise of digital payments in Indonesia is evident during Ramadan. E-wallets and digital money services lead the way, with 35% of online shoppers using them as their primary payment method.
Nevertheless, Cash on Delivery (COD) also remains popular, with 34.93% of respondents preferring to pay upon receiving their order. This option is particularly attractive to those who are hesitant about digital transactions. Additionally, bank transfers also continue to be a widely used method, with 24% of shoppers relying on them for payments.
Other payment methods have significantly lower adoption rates. Offline payments at retail outlets such as Alfamart and Indomaret account for only 2.4%, while credit card usage is at 2.18%. Debit cards are the least preferred option, used by just 1% of online shoppers.
For more information, contact us at partners@snapcart.global or helena@snapcart.global.
Source:
[1] https://snapcart.global/indonesians-shopping-behaviour-and-plans-for-ramadan-2025-part-1/
