Applying technology, strengthening department store brands
Ms. Dam Van - Deputy Head of Nguyen Tri Phuong Market Management Board (HCMC) said that the Market Management Board (MPB) not only operates infrastructure but also clearly identifies its role as the first "gatekeeper" in protecting consumer rights and preserving the reputation of the traditional market model.
In regular activities, the management and prevention of counterfeit goods is always a top priority for the Management Board. We closely coordinate with local authorities and functional agencies to control the origin and source of goods right from the stage of small traders importing goods" - Ms. Van shared.
To improve management efficiency, traditional markets are currently promoting the application of information technology. At the same time, thanks to the proactiveness of traders, the work of controlling the origin of goods has also been carried out more and more systematically.
In the context of fierce competition with supermarkets, convenience stores and e-commerce platforms, traders are trying to retain customers by posting prices clearly, without having to pay for factors that are considered contributing to building and maintaining a unique brand for each store.
Faced with the situation of some traditional markets having to close in large numbers because of unsecured goods trading, Ms. Dam Van affirmed that Nguyen Tri Phuong market has not recorded any cases of traders having to stop operations due to this reason.
The closure of some stores mainly took place in the post-COVID-19 period, when the economy was struggling and consumer habits changed, causing the number of customers to decline. At that time, about a third of traders had to temporarily stop trading. However, in recent years, they have gradually returned and restored operations, said Ms. Van.
The long and fierce war
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam - Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Management and Development Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that the Department has developed many topics to inspect and strictly handle the act of trading in counterfeit goods, goods of unknown origin, and infringements of intellectual property rights. However, the actual inspection work still faces many difficulties.
"There were times when we went to the markets and were tracked before we could check. Right from the gate, people were closely following and alerting via Zalo. Surveillance cameras are everywhere, even some markets operate up to 10 cameras just to warn" - Mr. Nam shared.
In reality, this is a long-term battle, requiring determination and perseverance from the central to local levels, along with the support of businesses and consumers.
According to Mr. Nam, in addition to control, the management force also aims to develop a sustainable market not only to encourage "Vietnamese people to use Vietnamese goods", but also to "must use Vietnamese goods" to protect domestic production in a practical way.
Some experts believe that the fight against counterfeit goods is not only the responsibility of the authorities, but also requires change from the market and consumers.
Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Khanh Phong Lan - Director of the Department of Food Safety of Ho Chi Minh City commented that in a market with many "wild grass", businesses that do business honestly face many difficulties, especially when products that have just been sold have been counterfeited for profit.
She emphasized the role of the supermarket system in becoming a "bottleneck" for counterfeit goods, instead of only paying attention to discount factors. Consumers also need to change their travel mentality with counterfeit goods, especially fashion items with brand labels. Following the Vanity line only loses confidence in the market and causes tax losses for the State" - Ms. Lan emphasized.
