Lao Dong's records on the afternoon of May 24 show that many areas inside the market are currently quite deserted, the walkways are clear, and there is no longer the crowded scene as before.
At the first floor clothing stall, many small traders waited for customers for many hours. Some stalls opened but the number of people visiting to see goods was very small, while many stalls had to temporarily close.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, a small trader selling clothes for more than 10 years at the market, said that purchasing power has decreased sharply since the beginning of the year. Some days they open for sale from morning to afternoon but only sell a few small items.
Many businesses selling shoes, cosmetics or household appliances are also in a similar situation. According to small traders, the psychology of tightening spending makes people limit buying non-essential items. The competition of e-commerce platforms and online sales also significantly affect traditional business activities at the market.
Mr. Tran Van Phuc - a small trader selling shoes - said that currently many customers tend to see samples directly and then order online at lower prices.
According to some business households, currently the majority of customers are local people or passersby buying essential goods, while the purchasing power of tourists is not high.
Many small traders expect that in the coming time, along with consumer stimulus programs and trade promotion activities, the number of customers coming to the market will gradually improve, helping business activities become more vibrant again.
Cage 1, cage 2, cage 3 and dining area belonging to Cai Khe Trade Center were built and put into operation in 2002, managed by Ninh Kieu District Market Management Board. In 2011, cage 2 was allocated to An Nghiep Phat Trading Co., Ltd. for land lease to invest in construction, renovation and upgrading into a Shopping Center, entertainment and dining services.
