Da Nang has directed relevant local agencies and businesses to actively stockpile goods worth about VND 2,580 billion in total to stabilize market prices, ensuring to serve the people during the 2024 Lunar New Year.

People shop at Co.opmart Da Nang supermarket in Thanh Khe District. Photo: THU DUYEN

Some products have prices increased

Surveying prices at many sales points, the price of live pork has increased from VND45,000/kg to VND50,000/kg; chicken up from VND37,000/kg to VND40,000/kg; chicken eggs increased from VND2,200/dozen to VND2,400/dozen. Likewise, the prices of fruit and vegetables have climbed by 10 - 20% compared to the previous month; drinks 15 - 30%; traditional confectionery prices 10-15%, imported confectionery 15-20%; some consumer products such as cooking oil, sugar and milk 5-15%.

Through actual records, the price of some input raw materials increased in early January 2024, leading to a hike in retail prices of essential consumer goods and is forecast to go up in the coming days because the price of input materials is still maintain an upward trend.

In addition, business and retail units are strengthening their promotions and discounts through platforms so that more consumers benefit from these sales programmes.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan, the owner of Toan Xuan grocery in Hoa Quy Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District expressed that compared to normal days, products serving the Lunar New Year are often priced 5-10% higher due to incentives. Like the prize, the packaging is also eye-catching so customers can choose them as gifts for their relatives, friends and partners before Tet.  To help customers access good products, she had to import a large amount of goods, while reducing profits to keep prices stable.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Man in Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District said that at this time when going to the market or shopping, many items are "on the move" to increase in price. The fact that products are increasing steadily from 5-30% at this time makes her consider making purchases. She is counting on price-stabilized stores to buy quality products at good prices.

According to the city’s Market Management Bureau, consumption forecast before the Lunar New Year 2024 holiday will increase by about 10% compared to normal, the demand for food and Tet gift baskets will maintain an increasing trend compared to the same period last year. In addition to traditional purchasing methods, online purchasing will be chosen by many consumers.

Items for the 2024 Tet holiday break have been prepared by businesses a month in advance. Photo: THANH NHAN

Ready for supplies for Tet

According to records at wholesale and traditional markets in the city, items such as regular rice, sticky rice, cakes, candy, jam, dried fruit, dried chicken, beef jerky and meat foods such as cows, pigs and chickens have been ordered and stockpiled by small businesses to serve the upcoming Tet holiday.

Ms. Truong Thi Thuy Vy, a trader at the Con market, said that her store has coordinated with distributors and retailers to bring goods to consumers at reasonable prices. Many imported products all have packaging and labels imbued with the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year 2024 as well as have gifts and rewards for customers.

Meanwhile, relevant local agencies  have organised close exchanges and coordination with one another, along with the district-level People's Committee to implement solutions to stabilize the Tet market under the direction of the municipal People's Committee.

Specifically, the municipal Department of Industry and Trade has directed businesses, supermarkets, wholesale markets and convenience stores to increase imports and stockpile goods, especially essential items for Tet consumption, hereby ensuring an abundant supply of goods to meet people's growing needs before Tet.

To serve end-of-year consumption needs, stimulate consumption and ensure that people have access to clean, safe food, the municipal Department of Industry and Trade has made a plan to coordinate with a number of businesses to organize 19 points selling pork, beef and chicken eggs with price stability during Tet.

Sales points are spread evenly in districts across the city with products that are VND5,000 - VND10,000/kg lower than the normal market prices. Products selected for stabilisation include all kinds of pork, beef and chicken eggs. The programme is slated to take place for 3 days, from February 6 to 8.

The municipal Department of Industry and Trade will also organised three rounds of bringing price-stabilized goods to serve the shopping needs of people in mountainous communes of Hoa Bac, Hoa Ninh and Hoa Phu in Hoa Vang District.

This year, businesses have prepared inventory, but not much increase compared to last year, and offered a number of promotions and discounts. The total value of food reserves for Tet is expected to be about over VND2,5 billion.

Currently, the Dac Vinh Co., Ltd. has planned to deploy many stable pork selling points in the city to serve the needs of people during the Tet holiday break with a guaranteed price lower than the normal market prices from 10 - 20%.

In addition to items such as rump meat, shoulder meat, pork belly, spare ribs and lean bones, the company has added a number of other products such as beef and eggs to give customers more choices. The enterprise also commits to ensuring the supply of goods, selling prices that are lower than the general markets and will remain at a stable level. The selling price will be posted daily and widely publicised to the public.

As reported by Mr. Pham Ngoc Son, the Director of the Da Nang Market Management Bureau, in the coming time, his unit will continue to conduct market inspections before, during and after Tet. Heed will be paid to promoting the fight against counterfeit goods, goods of unknown origin, infringement of intellectual property rights, and coordinating with local authorities in the fight against smuggling , commercial fraud, counterfeit goods in the city in a bid to ensure a safe and healthy shopping environment during the 2024 Lunar New Year.

Reporting by CHIEN THANG, THANH NHAN – Translating by A.THU