The CEO Magazine Asia — January 2018

theceomagazine.com | 155

The

Patience is a virtue for the Indonesian President Director of

the fast-growing Circle K convenience store chain.

WORDS DANIEL HERBORN • IMAGES ELISKA MEGAWATI RATNA

“I

liked the idea of exploring something new,” Circle K Indonesia’s

President Director Cahyadi Heriantio says of his left turn from

producing dairy-based nutrition products to the convenience

store industry. “It looked like a very exciting, dynamic business.”

Started in Texas in the 50s, Circle K is a well-established

franchise in the US and has more than 8,000 outlets

internationally. But it had yet to establish a major footprint in Indonesia when

Cahyadi took up his current role in 2008. “I saw a real challenge there, and that

made me want to apply. I think of the convenience store as the future of retail,

so I wanted to be part of the mission to get this brand to grow in Indonesia.”

Traditionally, the convenience store model has not been a major player in

Indonesia, where small family-run businesses have long ruled. Now, mini-marts

and convenience store franchises are the fastest-growing market segment. »

Retail

of

Future

Interview | INVEST