Retailers forecast that purchasing power over the forthcoming 4-day break for National Reunification Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1) holiday will increase sharply as compared to normal days.

Market-goers are seen at the Con Market. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

Stockpiling holiday merchandise

In order to meet the shopping needs of people, retailers across Da Nang have prepared an abundant amount of goods with the expectation that purchasing power will increase by about 70% before and during the holiday.

Fresh food, technological food, processed and frozen food, alcohol and soft drinks will be strongly consumed.

Mr. Phan Thong, the Director of the Co.opmart Da Nang informed that his supermarket has spent VND50 billion on storing goods in service of the upcoming public holiday.

Similarly, the volume of stockpiled goods at the Lotte Mart has increased by 3 times against normal days, with a focus on fresh food, fashionable items, cosmetics, and household appliances.

Meanwhile, supermarket systems Winmart, Go!, Danavi mart, etc. have prepared for many attractive promotion programmes to satisfy the diverse shopping needs of locals.

Particularly, the amount of goods gathered in traditional markets has also increased significantly in comparison with weekdays.

Due to the abundant supply of goods and the current purchasing power in markets remaining at a normal level, prices of commodity goods will not increase much compared to normal days.

Mrs. Xuan, a market stallholder trading in vegetables and tubers at the Hoa Cuong Wholesale Market, said that the market will see a light increase in the volume of goods on holiday as compared to normal days because many families plans to travel. Therefore, the price of goods is difficult to increase, but only in fruits, vegetables and tubers with an expected increase of VND2,000-VND10,000/kg.

A shopper at the Co.opmart Da Nang Supermarket. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

Efforts to stabilise market and maintain commercial civilisation

To continue promoting the images of wet markets to domestic and foreign tourists and creating favourable conditions for market stallholders to operate, the Da Nang Market Management and Development Company has required market stallholders to ensure commericial civilisation, food safety and hygiene, environmental sanitation and business culture.

Wet markets have mobilised stallholders to respond to the message "Da Nang is ready to open and welcome tourists" with a spirit of attentiveness in service, and a welcoming spirit in communicating with market-goers.

“Staff of the municipal Market Management Bureau will increase their checks to ensure that the goods will be sold at the displayed prices, and timely prevent itinerant beggars, street vendors, and pickpockets at affiliated markets” said Mr. Dam Van Tau, the Director of the Da Nang Market Management and Development Company.

According to Mr. Nguyen Trung Thanh, Head of the Han Market Management Board, in order to attract more tourists to the market and maintain the reputation and brand name of the Han Market as a civilised and commercial market, the management board has encouraged small traders to change their service style and attitude with the motto ‘please customers’.

Besides, customers to the Han market with each bill valued at VND200,000 or more will be given a ticket to participate in a lucky draw programme by the market stall owners. Gifts are Da Nang’s specialties with a value of VND30,000 each or more and many other valuable gifts. The lucky draw programme will last from April 30 - May 30.

Mr. Tran Phuoc Tri, Acting Director of the Market Management Department, said that in order to ensure market price stabilisation over the forthcoming public holiday, his unit plans to increase inspections and supervise the displaying of prices at markets.

"Specifically, stricter penalties will be imposed on those who increase prices of essential goods excessively due to the scarcity of goods to generate illicit profits " emphasised Mr. Tran Phuoc Tri.

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG - Translating by M.DUNG