As Tet is fast approaching, the purchasing power of Tet goods at supermarkets, traditional markets, trade centres, and stores increases sharply.

Shoppers at a supermarket.

Thanks to taking the initiative in storing goods, supermarkets and retailers across Da Nang can meet the surge in demand of customers in the run-up to the year’s biggest holiday.

Recently, the purchasing power of shoppers at BigC Mall, Co.op Mart, Vincom, and the Dong Da, Con and Dau Moi wholesale markets, has gone up by between 10% and 25% against previous weeks.

According to the Management Board of the Hoa Cuong wholesale market, around 5 days to go to Tet, the Hoa Cuong Wholesale Market is likely to receive an average of between 800 and 850 tonnes of fruits and vegetables per day, a nearly 3-fold rise compared with normal days. However, the prices are forecast to only rise slightly.

Meanwhile, best-selling products at the Con Market during this period are fashion items, household appliances, blankets, bed sheets, pillows and confectionery.

According to the Market’s Management Board, in recent days the purchasing power of Tet goods has risen by between 10% and 15% compared to previous days.

In addition to a large number of local residents, the Market has welcomed a lot of visitors from both home and abroad in recent days.

Ms Thuy Bich, an owner of a shop on Hoang Dieu street, affirmed that this year has seen a dramatic increase in the purchasing power of Tet items in comparison with the same period last year.

She added her best sellers were chocolate imported from the USA, the UK, and Australia, melon and sunflower seeds from Russia, date seeds, dried grapefruit, and domestic soft drinks, and confectionery.

Ms Binh noted the prices of many essential goods were kept unchanged compared with early January, and all of her products had clear origins and quality certificates issued by competent authorities.

Visitors at a shoe store.

In the build up to the Tet Festival, relevant agencies are increasing their checks over the origin of products on sale in traditional markers in order to ensure food safety and hygiene.

Mr Phan Manh Han, Deputy Head of the Market Management of traditional markets in Son Tra District, said since the beginning of January inspectors from the district-level Interdisciplinary Inspection Team for Food Safety and Hygiene have conducted surprise inspections of food business establishments in 7 markets.

In addition, a total of 159 random samples of food have been tested, and all of them have not contained any chemicals banned in food processing.

Besides, a number of security staff has been assigned to be on duty around the clock at these markets, whilst surveillance camera and fire alarm systems have been maintained regularly.