Market demand in the first quarter increased lightly, making many business units to stimulate purchase power through many promotional forms in an attempt to create a lively ambience of shopping.

  Shoppers at Big C.

 

Meat prices on the rise

 

At present, Binh Duong province–based items such as food, foodstuff, apparel, footwear, household utensils and learning aids and so on have no big change in price. However, price of meat products of cattle and poultry has shot up strongly in spite of decrease in consumption. 

 

Specifically, the prices of chicken meat from Tam Hoang and free-range chickens have increased to VND6,000-10,000 a kilogramme, up VND4,000-5,000 against early this month. Meanwhile, pig meat sold at farms has increased from VND54,000 per kg to VND58,000-60,000 per kg. The increase has made pork retail prices up at from VND5,000-10,000 per kg, depending on various products.

 

At present, price for pork rib is at VND140,000/kg while side of pork at VND130,000 per kg. The price level is equal to prices sold on the past Tet holiday, so pork prices will can not shot up more in the coming April 30 and May Day holiday.

 

Supermarkets awaiting opportunities

 

Over the past 3 months, purchase power of commodities remains limited, due to the common difficulty of economy. Binh Duong Co.opmart director Vo Huu Thach said that purchase power at the supermarket remains weak from after Tet holiday 2014.

 

Therefore, Co.opMart chain has constantly held promotional programs with numerous incentive policies for clients, especially on its 18th birthday and 25th founding anniversary. The month-long promotional program’s purpose (April 12-May 12) is to increase purchase power at the supermarket chain.

 

A rep of Big C supermarket said that Big C in the past gave a direct discount on all products but in the current period we have applied additional client care programs such as granting gifts or vouchers or holding lucky draws. Therefore, preparation for goods storage has rose about 30% compared with the ordinary days, especially goods at food areas given a 5-50% discount from April 22 to May 12.

 

A rep of Big C said that with the coming 5 day-long holiday, people will enjoy plenty of activities such as excursion, entertainment and shopping. We expect that the number of people arriving at supermarkets will sky-rocket, so we have prepared plans to welcome visitors.

 

The incoming long holiday will promise shopping opportunities with reasonable prices for customers. With many promotional programs plus lucky draws launched by supermarkets and shops, it is expected that sale in May and the subsequent months will increase sharply.

 

Reported by T.Hong – Translated by A.C