Nguyễn Nguyên Phương, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade, talks about the city’s annual shopping programme. Photo nld.com.vn

Nguyễn Nguyên Phương, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade, talks about two promotion months HCM City will organise during the middle and end of this year to promote “consumption and shopping.”

Why is HCM City organising a large-scale promotion programme in the middle of the year instead of only at the end of the year as usual?

The city has had an end-year shopping promotion programme for many years but failed to achieve the desired results. Therefore, the Department of Industry and Trade has advised the city People's Committee to organise two promotion programmes each year in 2022-25 with the goal of stimulating shopping demand.

Every year the city will organise two promotions from June 15 to July 15 and November 15 to December 15. The City will co-ordinate with other provinces and cities for goods supply, mobilising participation and enabling the transport of goods and services that participate in the programme.

Is this programme attractive enough for consumers to open their wallets amid the rising prices of many goods?

Unlike previous years, this year's shopping programme will allow businesses to launch promotions of up to 100 per cent instead of only 50 per cent as in previous years.

The organizers have recorded that many large enterprises have registered to participate in the programme, offering discounts of 70-80 per cent and total promotions worth several billion to several tens of billions of đồng.

The promotions include discounts, gifts and lucky draws.

Participating businesses must ensure the origin and quality of the products.

Besides large distribution systems and e-commerce businesses, nearly 200 traditional markets will also participate this year.

How will the organisers keep out fake, low-quality and pirated goods?

In order for the programme to become a trademark of Hồ Chí Minh City, the most important thing is that the promotion must be real - that is, not marking up prices and then offering discounts - goods must be of high quality and the promotions must be attractive enough.

The city will monitor the promotional activities of businesses, but the most important thing is self-discipline on the part of businesses. They must be aware that this is an opportunity to promote their brand, expand sales and build long-term business strategies. – VNS