Shoppers at Big C supermarket, which offers discounts of 5-49 per cent on more than 1,500 items until May 4 on the occasion of Liberation Day and May Day. — VNS File photo

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — With the Liberation Day (April 30)  and May Day (May 1) holidays almost upon us, supermarkets and shopping malls around the country have announced a slew of promotions to attract shoppers.

With the long holiday this year, supermarket chain Co.opmart had stocked two times the normal quantity of products and launched promotions as it expected sales to be double that of normal days, Vo Hoang Anh, marketing director of Saigon Co.op, said.

From now until May 3 Co.opmart supermarkets and Co.opXtra hypermarkets will offer discounts of up to 50 per cent on over 4,000 items and gift vouchers to 1,600 newly registered loyal customers, and organise a lucky draw with prizes of 19 free tours.

It was one of the supermarket's biggest promotions during the year since the holiday also coincided with its 19th anniversary, Anh said.

French supermarket Big C has announced two promotions until May 4 - Mung dai le (Celebrating great holiday) and Toi yeu hang Viet (I love Vietnamese goods) - with discounts of 5-49 per cent on more than 1,500 items like fresh and processed foods, foodstuffs, beverages, household appliances, clothes, and cosmetics besides attractive gifts.

The supermarket would also have a "sales programme without profit" at its 30 outlets nation-wide of Soc Trang shallots and Da Lat onions from April 27 to May 3, Ho Quoc Nguyen, public relations director at Big C Viet Nam, said.

Customers have a chance to win lucrative prizes in a lucky draw worth a total of VND800 million (US$37,100).

A fruit festival at Lotte Mart features more than 30 varieties of tropical fruits, including mango, papaya, Phan Rang grapes, Long Khanh guava, Dak Lak avocado, durian, and watermelon. — VNS File Photo

Big C said it expected sales to rise sharply during the holiday and has doubled stocks compared to normal days, especially of ready-to-eat foods, fresh and processed foods, bread, vegetables, fruits and beverages, meat, and seafood.

It also planned to increase home-delivery services and add more cashiers and security guards to ensure customers' convenience and safety.

Lotte Mart has organised a fruit festival featuring more than 30 varieties of tropical fruits, including mango, papaya, Phan Rang grapes, Long Khanh guava, Dak Lak avocado, durian, and watermelon.

It expected fruit sales to go up by 70-100 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Expecting demand to increase sharply before and during the holiday, the Korean supermarket has increased stocks to Lunar New Year levels and announced attractive discounts on several items like processed foods and beverages.

Many major electronics stores like Thien Hoa, Cho Lon, and Nguyen Kim are also offering big discounts on a range of products.

Tran Tan Hoang Hau, marketing director of Thien Hoa Electronics Centre, said there would be discounts of up to 50 per cent on many products and interest-free hire purchase schemes.

It would be the year's biggest promotion, he added. — VNS