Market hotting up on women’s day

Men typically purchase beautiful flower arrangements and sentimental gifts for their beloved on this special day, while children most often find something special to give to their mothers and female teachers.

Sales promotions launched

In the final days prior to Women’s Day, shops and vendors selling flowers and gifts are packed with men who put off shopping for gifts until the last minute, particularly in the capital Hanoi and Danang city.

This year, most customers seem to have veered away from the more traditional fresh flowers and postcards in favour of  more practical gifts like cosmetics, clothes and home appliances.

Many shopping centres and supermarkets in Hanoi like Vincom, Trang Tien Plaza, Big C, Metro, and CoopMart, are offering a series of sales promotions with discounts of up to 50% on March 8, as an alternative to higher priced floral arrangements.

Nguyen Thanh Mai, a shopkeeper in Tran Xuan Soan street, Hanoi, complained that fewer people this year are buying fresh flowers due to the unaffordable hike in prices.

Gold-inlaid gifts in favour

This year, unique and relatively expensive gifts seem to be favoured by a large number of consumers, especially youngsters who prefer gold-inlaid roses.

An ordinary single red rose from Da Lat costs VND4,000-6,000, while roses in other colors sell for VND2,000-4,000.

However, the price of a gold-inlaid rose in chocolate color goes up to VND6 million and most 24k gold-inlaid roses cost from VND3 million - VND4.5 million each.

Gold-inlaid postcards are among the most favoured on the special day, too. Moreover, those who wish to present their beloved a special gift can order a gold-inlaid portrait by sending a portrait photo and paying VND1-2 million, depending on the size of the picture.

The gift market is blooming, and luxurious presents like cosmetics and jewellery abound, amidst a myriad of other hot selling items including pillows, glasses and key-holders with beautiful designs and affordable prices.