Over the past two pandemic years, a significant number of consumers in Da Nang have been reported to change their online shopping behaviour. Specifically, many local shoppers said they had been shopping more online, compared to before COVID-19.

With a rapid increase in online shopping, supermarkets and stores citywide have been promoting technology application by building websites and Facebook pages, developing apps, creating chat groups on Zalo, etc. in order to meet the online shopping needs of customers.

With online shopping, consumers just need to click or implement a few simple steps on mobile devices to easily shop for necessary things online, and make non-cash payments for their orders.

Staff at the Danavi Mart consolidating online orders. Photo: THANH TINH

Changes in shopping habits

For more than 2 years, Tran Thi Cam Uyen, residing in My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, is proficient in doing online shopping.

According to Uyen, 80-90% of her family’s daily essential items are shopped online, whilst the remaining 10-20% are bought when she goes out for work.

For Uyen, one of the benefits of online shopping is convenience and quickness. She added that sometimes she buys items at online stores at cheaper prices as compared to those on sale at supermarkets and stores thanks to the hunting of discount codes.

“In addition, we can enjoy free door-to-door delivery services. Going to the online stores also helps nursing mothers like me save time to stay at home with our children” added she.

According to Uyen, online shopping is extremely simple, shoppers just need to go to shopping pages on e-commerce platforms or websites, apps and Facebook pages of supermarkets and stores to choose what they need. Then, they press the order button. You can refer to the reviews of customers who have bought before, if the rating is high, there are many "stars", you can choose safely.

Likewise, Ngo Thi Quynh Nga who is living in Hai Chau District used to visit wet markets to buy necessaries. When getting married and having children, Nga becomes busier, so she chooses to go shopping online through Shopee and Lazada, or text on Zalo group of Co.opMart Da Nang Supermarket.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Phan Nguyet Anh, residing in Hoa Cuong Bac Ward, Hai Chau District, often goes to the online market on Grab application and then pays via Moca e-wallet. After payment, she can also add bonus points, and redeem incentives thanks to GrabRewards (a reward point service).

Catching the trend, meeting customer needs

Mrs. Phan Nhu Yen, Director of the Danavi Mart supermarket system, said that shopping online is a trend chosen by consumers. Therefore, her supermarket has been constantly focusing on developing online sales channels, including building a website, forming an E-shop through the Zalo platform, opening fanpages, and ordering by phone.

On sales channels, Danavi Mart regularly updates articles about new products, offers discount programmes, supports delivery fees and gives gifts in order to stimulate customers’ shopping demand.

Mrs. Yen also acknowledged that goods on sale on e-commerce platforms are not as rich as those displayed at the supermarket. In addition, at-home delivery service has not met the customer's requirements in terms of time, etc.

However, it is clear that online shopping helps customers save transportation and travel costs and time. Additionally, online shopping provides consumers with more information and opportunities to compare products and prices, with greater product selection, with convenience and ease of finding desired products online.

During the pandemic, Danavi Mart received and delivered a daily average of between 1,000 and 2,000 orders.

As a long-standing fish sauce brand name, Huong Lang Co fish sauce products are only sold at grocery stores and wet markets. However, in recent years, the fish sauce products have been available on e-commerce platforms.

“We have bought domain name, developed website and fanpage to serve online customers. Previously, Huong Lang Co fish sauce products had been mainly sold to market-goers, but now the number of new customers through online channels has increased by over 50%. Since online sales, on average, the Huong Lang Co fish sauce company receives and delivers more than 300 orders per day", said Mr. Bui Thanh Phu, the owner of Huong Lang Co fish sauce making factory located in Hoa Hiep Bac Ward, Lien Chieu District.

The Huong Lang Co fish sauce making factory often provides information about its brand name and its products on its website. Also, the factory’s staff are on duty to answer customers' messages and phone calls, and timely delivery ordered products to customers in the city within 24 hours.

“Selling online helps us reach customers in a faster manner, and take care of customers easily. However, the approach to older customers is still limited, and the transportation of goods to provinces and cities nationwide takes more time. However, the trend is chosen by a large number of consumers"said Mr. Phu.

In similar vein, Ba Lieu Me’s ‘banh kho me’ (dried sesame seed cakes) has a long-standing brand name and has won trust of locals and visitors from all over the world.

In parallel with its traditional business method, the Ba Lieu Me’s ‘banh kho me’ manufacturing establishment has promoted the advertisement of its products to consumers in an online form.

Mr. Huynh Duc Sol, the Manager of the Ba Lieu Me’s ‘banh kho me’ manufacturing establishment acknowledged “Since we started online sales activities, our products are increasingly becoming more popular with customers from both home and abroad. Currently, our facility regularly delivers goods to provinces and cities across the country through the delivery services provided by Viettel, Post Office, etc.”

According to Mr. Sol, online orders currently accounts for about 20% of the establishment’s total orders.

“When selling online, we promote our products and our brand name to a huger number of customers. Moreover, delivery times and payment methods are also more flexible depending on customer requirements. To further stimulate consumers’ demand, we are currently offering a 10% discount to customers ordering through the website. In addition, free door-to-door delivery service is being applied for customers in the city” informed Mr. Sol.

Reporting by THANH TINH - Translating by M.DUNG