Supermarkets and shopping malls in HCM City have seen a surge in sales during the long National Day holidays this year.

Doan Diep Binh, head of branding and communications at Lotte Mart, told Viet Nam News: “Sales increased by 25 per cent from last year, with processed products, seafood, beer, and soft drinks being the biggest sellers.”

Its food court and recreation areas were crowded through the three days from September 1 to 3, he said.

Promotion programmes greatly contributed to the higher sales, he said.

Lotte is offering many promotions until September 4 at its 13 stores nation-wide, including discounts of up to 49 per cent on thousands of products and a shock prices programme for its loyal customers, he said.

Customers buying Trung Nguyen coffee products worth VND90,000 at the supermarket will get a ticket for a lucky draw with total prizes worth VND779 million (US$33,482), he said.

Saigon Co.op, the owner of Co.opmart supermarket chain, launched the “Tu hao hang Viet” (Proud of Vietnamese Goods) programme, its largest promotion of the year, with discounts of up to 50 per cent on thousands of products, gifts of over 200,000 vouchers and many times higher points than normal between August 16 and September 5.

According to a Saigon Co.op spokesperson, sales were up 20 - 40 per cent from normal.

Fresh and processed foodstuffs and beverages were the top sellers, while sales of kitchen utensils and clothes increased slightly.

At Big C supermarkets, the number of shoppers went up sharply during the holidays, Vu Thanh Tan, media content manager of Central Group Vietnam, said.

Supply had increased by 50 per cent, especially of ready-to-eat foods, bread and fruits and vegetables, he said.

The supermarket also offered discounts of up to 49 per cent on more than 1,000 products under its “Celebrate great holiday” programme and on hundreds of Vietnamese products together with gifts under its “Give Vietnamese brands wings” programme until September 5.

Vissan stores, which are offering discounts of up to 10 per cent on many processed foods, also attracted a lot of shoppers during the holidays.

Low sales at traditional markets

Unlike supermarkets, traders at traditional markets like Ba Chieu in Binh Thanh District, Hoang Hoa Tham in Tan Binh District, Go Vap in Go Vap District, and Hoa Binh in District 5 said sales had dipped slightly compared to normal days.

With supply being abundant, prices were steady.

A representative of the Hoc Mon wholesale market for farm produce and fresh foods, said usually around 2,800 tonnes of products were received every day, but on September 2 traders reduced their purchase by 20 per cent since kitchens at companies and schools and other large customers did not buy.

According to the Binh Dien, Thu Duc and Hoc Mon wholesale markets, the volume of goods would return to normal from September 3. — VNS