Market is deserted, Nghe An traders cautiously stock up on Tet goods

The stalls selling cakes, jams, and candies at Tay Temple in Vinh Market are deserted. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Although it is the last month of the year, at this time, the West side of Vinh market, the wholesale center for confectionery, soft drinks, jams, nuts...serving Tetquite quiet. Ms. Vo Hang, a merchant selling confectionery, jams and dried seafood at Dinh Tay market in Vinh, said: "Right now, we only dare to import a small quantity to sell. Currently, wholesale customers in the districts have not placed orders yet, so we do not dare to buy a lot. We will wait a few more weeks to see the epidemic situation and people's purchasing power before we dare to buy goods."

In rural markets, goods are also very sluggish. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Normally, starting from November, vendors at Vinh Railway Station market rush to stock up on goods for Tet, but this year it is quite quiet and deserted. Only a few stalls display some types of candies and jams with labels "Hello Spring 2022" and "Welcome the Year of the Tiger".

Ms. Nguyen Hoa Quynh, a trader at Vinh Railway Station market said: "Tet goodshas its own packaging and design, so it can only be sold within 1 month. After January, it will be out of stock and no longer be chosen. Therefore, if we hold on to a lot of goods while purchasing power decreases, we will have to suffer losses, so we are considering importing only some truly essential items that people need."

Household items also have very few customers. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Household goods and decorative items also saw a sharp decline in purchasing power. At major markets in the area such as Vinh Market, Vinh Railway Station Market, Hung Dung Market, etc., stalls selling silk flowers, decorative lights, cups, bowls, plates, etc. were quite deserted, few people asked to buy, and the amount of goods sold was small, not as massive as in previous years.

Ms. Le My Dung, owner of a dried flower and ceramic stall at Vinh Market's main hall, said: "These items usually sell best at the end of the year when families want to decorate their homes and buy more household items, but this year they are very slow. The epidemic is quite complicated, so most agencies, units and businesses do not organize year-end parties, so gift items such as vases, cups, bowls, plates, etc. are limited in sales, with revenue down about 50-70% compared to previous years."

While in previous years this was the peak time for shopping for decorative items, at the markets, these stalls were deserted and had few customers. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Items that are often prioritized for purchase at the end of the year such as: flashing lights, decorative LED lights, ornamental plants, silk flowers, dried flowers; wooden handicrafts; household appliances... are all sluggish this year even though prices have not fluctuated much.

Not only wholesale markets in the city but also most shopping centers and markets in rural areas are in the same situation, the revenue of kiosks in the markets has decreased by 50-70%, currently many stalls are still closed.

On the other hand, the epidemic has lasted from the beginning of the year until now, especially the 4th outbreak has affected people's labor, employment and income, so it is difficult toshopping for lunar new yearwill be more limited than previous years. In addition, due to the increase in gasoline prices and transportation costs, many items have increased in price by 10-15%, making retailers cautious when stocking up for Tet.

In order to ensure the supply of goods to serve consumer demand during the upcoming Lunar New Year, the Department of Industry and Trade and commercial enterprises have increased reserves of essential consumer goods, proactively sourced goods, and prevented shortages and price hikes.

Mr. Cao Minh Tu - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade said: "The Department has directed businesses in the area to increase reserves of essential consumer goods; have plans to ensure goods, be ready to respond to all situations, especially when the Covid-19 epidemic breaks out in the future.Lunar New Year time. In case of necessity, we will arrange mobile sales points; prepare goods transit points to resolutely not let goods run out or prices go up…”.