Sellers limit price adjustments to retain customers
Recorded at eateries and traditional markets in Hanoi, many essential items are maintaining stable price levels. According to small traders, the price increase has stalled, and sellers are also limiting price adjustments to retain customers in the context that purchasing power has not fully recovered. Surveys at people's markets also show that the prices of many vegetable items have returned to the old price level. Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc - a small trader selling vegetables and fruits - said that cabbage costs about 20,000 VND/kg, sweet potato greens 10,000 VND/bunch, Malabar spinach 10,000 VND/bunch, while tofu still maintains a level of about 3,000 VND/piece.
According to small traders, after gasoline and oil prices stabilized in many consecutive operating periods, the commodity market has become less volatile. However, due to many input costs such as raw materials, labor and transportation still being high, it is not easy for selling prices to return to the previous level in the short term. Sellers currently mainly maintain prices to maintain purchasing power, instead of continuing to adjust upwards as in the previous period.
Doan Thi Binh An (three-year student, Hanoi National University of Education) said that food costs in recent months have not changed much.
For students, stable food prices help me easily balance spending, especially in the context that many other living expenses are increasing" - Binh An shared.
Doing business in a beverage store in lane 130 Xuan Thuy (Hanoi), Ms. Chu Thi Thanh Huong said that gasoline and oil price fluctuations have a significant impact on business operations, but this is not the only factor determining the selling price.
My customers are mainly students, so they are very sensitive to prices" - Ms. Huong said.
Businesses increase promotions
From the perspective of market stabilization businesses, Ms. Ly Kim Chi - Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Food Association - said that not only businesses participating in the Market Stabilization Program, but many businesses outside the program also proactively maintain prices and cut costs to maintain purchasing power from now until the end of the year. This shows that price stabilization is creating a spillover effect in the market, contributing to maintaining supply and promoting consumption.
Representatives of Central Retail Vietnam said that stable macroeconomics and improved consumer confidence are the basis for expecting the retail market to recover in the second half of the year, especially the fourth quarter of 2026.
Businesses will increase promotions, provide quality products at competitive prices, and promote Vietnamese goods, agricultural products and OCOP products.
Central Retail will develop a loyal customer program to personalize offers and connect shopping experiences throughout the ecosystem.
Trade promotion in an interdisciplinary direction
To maintain purchasing power and stabilize the market at the end of the year, Ho Chi Minh City innovates trade promotion in an inter-sectoral direction, instead of deploying separately.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Hung - Deputy Head of Trade Management Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade - said that the city is shifting from traditional trade promotion to multi-sectoral linkage.
The Department coordinates with the tourism, culture and sports sectors, along with retail groups and large enterprises to organize peak periods to stimulate consumer demand.
In parallel with demand stimulus solutions, Ho Chi Minh City is also preparing operating scenarios to control the price level and proactively respond to pressures that may arise in the last 6 months of the year.
According to a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance, in order to proactively resolve market pressures from now until the end of the year, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has assigned specific tasks to departments, branches and localities to focus on closely monitoring supply and demand developments, and forecasting prices for timely regulation.
Ho Chi Minh City sets a goal not to let the situation of shortage of goods or disruption of supply cause sudden price increases for essential commodities such as gasoline, food, especially construction materials. For commodities expected to adjust prices, functional agencies must carefully review the factors forming prices, coordinate with statistical agencies to comprehensively assess socio-economic impacts to choose the appropriate level and timing of adjustment, minimizing the creation of expected inflationary resonance.
In addition, inter-sectoral forces will strengthen inspection and examination of price listing, resolutely and strictly handle violations...
