HCM City businesses store goods for Tet

Shops that have joined the price stabilization programme have increased their budget for stockpiling essential goods to nearly VND6.7 trillion, nearly 1.3 billion more than for the same period last year.

The city’s Department of Industry and Trade (DoIT) said that despite many economic difficulties and a low purchasing power, most businesses are preparing their product sources and have committed to keeping prices under control.

A range of essential products, including meat, eggs, processed food, cooking oil and sugar have been stored to satisfy 50 percent of the market demand.

DoIT Head Le Ngoc Dao said that the department has worked with business associations in the city and neighbouring areas to diversify supply sources and the kinds of products that will be available.

Some supermarket chains in the city have also cooperated with suppliers and manufacturers to find practical solutions for delivering and transporting goods.

BigC has boosted buying its products from original sources, especially fresh food such as vegetables, fruit and seafood, in order to ensure good quality and stable supply while reducing "middlemen" in order to offer customers the best prices.

BigC has also offered the cheapest prices for ten essential products, including sugar, fish sauce, rice, eggs, instant noodles and cooking oil.

Coopmart director Nguyen Thanh Nhan said his supermarket is considering proposals of raising the prices from the suppliers.

If it is possible, Coopmart will try to convince suppliers to share difficulties with consumers, while gradually increasing prices in certain times to ensure the most essential products are always available.