Present at Tops Market supermarket to shop for Tet, Ms. Vu Thanh (resident of An Khanh ward) said that this year her family is taking advantage of early purchases of dried goods, confectionery and household goods because prices are stable and there are many attractive promotions. "Around December 28-29 of the lunar calendar, I will buy more green vegetables and fresh fruits. Although the supermarket is quite crowded, goods are always supplemented by staff to fill the shelves, without worrying about shortage of goods" - Ms. Thanh shared.
Real-world records show that in many supermarkets and shopping centers in the city, the area of fresh food, cakes, jams, and Tet fruits is always bustling. Carts are full of goods, checkout counters are operating continuously, clearly reflecting the shopping rhythm entering the peak season.
According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Toan - CEO of MM Mega Market Vietnam (MMVN), purchasing power in the system is currently increasing by about 15-20% compared to the same period last year. On average, MMVN's centers welcome about 7,000-10,000 visitors per day, with demand spreading across many industries. Among them, fresh food, fast-moving consumer goods and Tet products account for a large proportion of the shopping basket.
In addition, other large supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City also recorded purchasing power in the Tet fruit group. Many items such as: dragon fruit, tangerines, Siamese coconut, custard apple, Buddha's hand fruit, papaya... are favored thanks to their beautiful designs and clear origins. Specially designed five-fruit trays are chosen by young customers for their convenience and aesthetics.
Not only the modern retail system, the business pace at traditional markets and wholesale markets is also no less vibrant. Trucks carrying goods enter and exit continuously from late night to early morning. On average, the amount of agricultural products through 3 wholesale markets in the city reaches 6,500-7,500 tons per day, including about 800 tons of livestock and poultry meat; 1,200 tons of seafood; 4,500 tons of vegetables and fruits. It is expected that in the days leading up to Tet, the output of goods may increase by 70-80%, to 12,000-13,000 tons/day.
Mr. Nguyen Binh Phuong - Business Director of Thu Duc Agricultural Wholesale Market Management and Trading Joint Stock Company - said that the expected output will reach about 5,100 tons/day on December 26th of the lunar calendar. Vegetables and fruits are additionally stockpiled with about 3,000 tons, ready to be released to the market when purchasing power increases sharply.
At Binh Dien market, peak nights are from December 25th to 27th of the lunar calendar, the amount of goods may increase by about 80% compared to normal days. On the night of December 26th of the lunar calendar alone, it reached nearly 890 tons, an increase of about 270%. Livestock increased by about 60%, to more than 350 tons/day. In the days leading up to Tet, the total amount of goods arriving at the market fluctuates from 2,800-3,500 tons/day. After the night of December 28th of the lunar calendar, according to the multi-year rule, the output will decrease to about 40%.
At Hoc Mon wholesale market, the supply is also carefully prepared. Mr. Le Van Tien - Director of Hoc Mon wholesale market - said that peak period from December 25 to 29, the amount of agricultural products is expected to reach 2,700-3,300 tons/day and night, an increase of 30-50%. Pork alone in the two nights of December 28 and 29 reached about 700 tons, equivalent to 9,300-10,000 heads/night, double the normal day.
With abundant supply from both modern and traditional retail channels, the Tet market in Ho Chi Minh City is assessed as stable, ensuring to fully meet the increasing consumer demand in the last days of the year.
