HCM CITY —Supermarkets and shopping malls as well as traditional markets in HCM City saw a strong uptick in sales during the National Day holidays, which this year lasted from September 2 to 4.

Co.opmart outlets on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, Lý Thường Kiệt, Đinh Tiên Hoàng, and Bình Triệu and Co.opXtra were crowded from September 1.

Đỗ Quốc Huy, marketing director of Saigon Co.op, which owns the chain, said sales had been up 40 per cent from normal while footfall had doubled.

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

Huỳnh Kim Thu Thủy, director of Co.opmart Đinh Tiên Hoàng, said the supermarket had increased stocks by 15-20 per cent and kept adding them to ensure there was no short supply.

It had also increased the number of checkout counters, she said. 

Programmes to promote consumption of Vietnamese goods launched by many retailers on the occasion greatly contributed to higher sales.

Saigon Co.op has for instance launched the “Tự hào hàng Việt” (Proud of Vietnamese Goods) programme, its largest promotion of the year, offering discounts of up to 50 per cent on thousands of products, hundreds of valuable gifts and many times higher points that normal.

Big C, which offered discounts of up to 50 per cent on more than 1,000 essential products during the holidays, said sales had risen by more than 30 per cent.

Fresh and processed foods, beers and other beverages were among the bestsellers, the supermarket said.

Hồ Quốc Nguyên, public relations manager at Big C, said stocks had been increased by 30 per cent for the holidays.

The number of customers was up strongly thanks to the promotion programme and also daily entertainment activities held at its outlets, he said.

Sales also doubled at Lotte Mart supermarket, with processed products, seafood, beers and soft drinks being the biggest sellers.

A large number of people visited the Phú Thọ Indoor Stadium for the 2017 Sales Promotion Fair, where Vietnamese goods were promoted.

According to the city Department of Industry and Trade, sales at the fair had been higher than expected thanks to many companies offering discounts of up to 49 per cent on products such as food, fashion, electronics and others, with fashion products being the most popular.

At traditional markets like Tân Định, Bà Chiểu and Thị Nghè, business was slightly better than on normal days, with fresh and processed foods and beverages being the biggest sellers.

With supply being abundant, prices were steady during the holidays.

On September 4-5, sales of fruits, flowers and vegetarian foods at traditional markets increased sharply as customers shopped for the occasion of the full moon. — VNS