The retail market in Da Nang is showing encouraging signs of recovery immediately after the city has basically controlled the pandemic. It is expected that, from now until the end of the year, the retail sector will carry out many demand-stimulating activities, thereby significantly contributing to pushing the purchasing power of consumers and driving the city’s post-COVID economic recovery.

Shoppers at the Co.opMart Da Nang supermarket. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

Acts of goods preparation

As usual, starting from the beginning of September, retail channels will plan to store goods for year-end holidays and traditional Tet holiday in tandem with making negotiations with manufacturers to offer good prices to consumers during year-end shopping season. However, this year, due to the impact of the pandemic, retailers' stockpiling plans have been delayed until early October.

According to a recent survey, most of the commercial centres, supermarkets and convenient stores have already mapped out their business strategies from now until the end of the year.

Director of the Son Tra District branch of the Co.opmart Supermarket Le Thi Hien said “In the coming time, there will be a surge in demand for goods from local residents. On the other hand, the forthcoming rainy season and the on-going pandemic will continue to affect the supply of some essential goods. However, our supermarket has worked closely with suppliers to ensure that there will be enough goods for customers".

In a similar vein, Director of the MM Mega Market Nguyen Tien Duong remarked many essential items and dried food, including rice and spices, have been stored by his supermarket 60-90 days in advance. As for fresh food, Mega Market has always been proactive in sourcing products by pioneering the development of the “farm-to-table’ model (the food on the table came directly from a specific farm, without going through a store, market, or distributor along the way) for more than 15 years.

“Recently, we have been working closely with suppliers to replenish missing items due to delays in production and the disruption of supply chains, all caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, we continue to promote the efficiency of online sales channels and arrange personnel to deliver goods to consumers in a timely manner. We are still keeping an eye on the pandemic situation and the customers' purchasing power, as well as waiting for new instructions from the municipal government to develop appropriate business plans" added Mr Duong.

Ms. Phan Nhu Yen, Director of the Danavi Mart Supermarket, said the pandemic has had a profound impact on family finances, so her supermarket would prioritise implementing price stabilisation programmes in the coming time, especially at the end of the year, by stockpiling goods early and negotiating prices with suppliers so as to limit unreasonable price hikes.

On the other hand, the supermarket also pays special attention to sourcing goods from other provinces and cities in order to ensure the adequate supplies of essential goods for local shoppers.

Customers are seen shopping inside the Go! Supermarket in Thanh Khe District. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

Efforts to stimulate consumption demand

According to the Da Nang Department of Industry and Trade, the retail sales of goods and services during the 9-month period reached nearly VND43,066 billion, up 5.6% as compared to the same period last year. The department has planned to organise trade promotion activities over the last three months of the years.

Specifically, top priority will be given to stimulating consumption demand, and creating closers links between manufacturers, distributors and consumers, by organising such events as the EWEC Da Nang 2021.

Also, the emphasis will be on supporting businesses to introduce their products on the city’s e-commerce trading floors, domestic e-commerce platforms and other market promotion channels.

Le Thi Kim Phuong, Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said that in the coming time, the focus will be on helping city-based businesses overcome COVID-19-triggered tough times and restore their production and business, especially large-scale manufacturing enterprises operating in industrial parks and clusters.

Additionally, the Department will boost the application of information technology and digital transformation in online and offline trade promotion activities, as well as help small and medium-sized enterprises exploit the advantages offered by digital platforms in trade promotion activities.

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG - Translating by M.D