Large reserves, price stabilization throughout Tet
In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, the shopping atmosphere at supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City becomes busier. From early morning to late at night, consumers focus on choosing fresh food, essential goods and Tet gift packages.
Ms. Thu Hao, living in Thanh My Tay ward, shopping at MM Mega Market An Phu supermarket, said: "At this time, buying cakes, candies, Tet gifts or food is easy, there are many promotions. Although the number of customers coming to shop is quite large, the supply is abundant, so I am also assured to shop gradually, without worrying about shortages or price increases close to Tet.
Similarly, Ms. Dang Thi Muoi, living in Vuon Lai ward, went to Co.opmart Cong Quynh supermarket and spent more than 5 million VND to buy food and Tet gifts for her family. "Goods are quite diverse, from cakes, jams, soft drinks to dried goods, there are many choices. Although customers shop more than usual, the supermarket arranges neat shelves and quick payments, so it doesn't take too much time to wait," Ms. Muoi commented.
According to retail businesses, purchasing power is increasing sharply, mainly focusing on essential goods and Tet gift packages. Mr. Vo Quoc Oai - Director of Co.opMart Hanoi Highway - said that compared to the same period last year, the supermarket's revenue increased by about 15%. To meet the increasing shopping demand, in recent days Co.opMart Hanoi Highway has opened earlier, serving from 8 am to 10 pm. Especially during peak hours from December 26 to 28, the supermarket will open from 6 am to 11 pm, even longer if there are still customers.
In the fresh goods area, especially on the 27th and 28th days of the twelfth lunar month, the number of shoppers may increase 4-5 times compared to normal days. The supermarket has proactively arranged more staff at the counters to avoid congestion, and at the same time increased personnel and hired additional delivery services by motorbike and truck to ensure goods are delivered during the day.
Not only Co.opMart, other large retail systems have also joined in early. Mr. Nguyen Duc Toan - CEO of MM Mega Market Vietnam - said that the amount of Tet goods stored at the system increased by about 20% compared to the previous year. For fresh food groups, MM Mega Market prepares about 3,000 tons at transit warehouses, being transported continuously from Da Lat and Tien Giang to Ho Chi Minh City to ensure freshness.
To meet this trend, MM Mega Market has prepared goods from six months ago, with the proportion of Vietnamese goods in the system currently accounting for about 91%. Regarding selling prices, the unit deploys two main groups: the "Price Lock" group with about 300 essential items committed not to increase prices in three months, and the promotion group with 500 items reduced from 15-25%.
People should prioritize price-stabilized sales points
According to Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong - Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, through monitoring the Tet market, purchasing power has shown clear signs of increasing and is entering its peak. The supply of goods to wholesale markets is generally quite abundant, even some items have increased in output compared to the same period.
Mr. Phuong assessed that in the context of strong demand, there may be local shortages and short-term price fluctuations at some small retail outlets. However, thanks to the active participation of modern distribution systems and market stabilization programs, prices at supermarkets and price stabilization points are still kept stable, especially for essential food items such as meat, eggs, and poultry.
According to the plan, the minimum reserve of essential goods will reach over 20%, with some items accounting for nearly 50% of the market share. Businesses have proactively signed contracts with suppliers, prepared raw materials and inventory to meet demand before, during and after Tet.
The Department of Industry and Trade recommends that people, especially low-income people, should prioritize shopping at supermarkets and price-stabilized points of sale, where goods are always abundant, prices are transparent, and many deep promotions are implemented in the days leading up to Tet.
