Vietnam - Consumers prefer discounted Tet goods

HCMC – With the Lunar New Year having about ten days to go, HCMC consumers have begun a holiday shopping spree, preferring products with reasonable prices and discounts.

At grocery stores and traditional markets, consumption has got stronger than on normal days. Confectionery, beer, soft drinks and dried food have gone like hot cakes.

Consumers prefer reasonably-priced home-made products to luxury imported ones, said Tran Ngoc Hien, manager of an 805mart shop in HCMC’s Go Vap District.

Meanwhile, a trader identified as Quyen at Tan Chanh Hiep Market in District 12 said sales volume this year was significantly lower than last year.

Consumers are switching to supermarkets. In addition, the economic woes have led them to cut spending, she explained.

She hoped the situation would get better next week, when laborers begin their holiday and start doing the shopping.

At supermarkets citywide, the number of shoppers is rising, especially in the evening.

The products necessary for Tet like confectionary, beer, soft drinks, packaged food, house ware and clothes are selling well. Those with big discounts are greatly sought after.

Supermarket chains will extend opening hours to serve latecomers. For example, all Big C supermarkets will be open for an additional 0.5-2 hours from this weekend to Lunar New Year’s Eve on February 9.

In particular, Big C Mien Dong on To Hien Thanh Street in HCMC’s District 10 will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., half an hour longer, on February 3 and 4, and from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from February 5 to 8. On February 9, it will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

To help small traders, the management boards of nearly 50 traditional markets in HCMC allow traders to sell goods at the market front and in empty spaces until midnight. The items on sale are mainly clothes and shoes.

Minh Tam - The Saigon Times Daily

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