What gifts are popular on October 20?

Fresh flower purchasing power has dropped sharply.

Starting from October 15, fresh flower shops on the streets of Vinh city, most concentrated in Nguyen Van Cu, Le Hong Phong, Nguyen Phong Sac, Quang Trung... are filled with colorful flowers. The shops display many types of flower baskets, bouquets, and boxes, with common prices ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 VND/bouquet, with more high-end ones costing over a million VND.

Fresh flower products are designed in a variety of ways, including bouquets, flower baskets, flower boxes, vases, flower arrangements. Prices depend on the types of flowers used, whether domestic or imported.

According to the owner of a flower shop, this year, flower prices have not increased much compared to normal days, for example, imported rose clusters are only 100,000 VND/10 branches, Ecuadorian roses range from 7,000 - 10,000 VND/flower, Dutch tulips cost 2,400,000 VND/bunch of 14 flowers;... As for domestic flowers, the prices are "softer", the prices are only about 10-15% higher than normal days.

“This year, October 20 falls on Sunday, a weekend day, so most customers order flowers in advance to give on working days. However, compared to last year, this year, the number of customers is only 50%. Most customers order flowers for the office at mid-range prices of about 250,000 - 500,000 VND/bouquet, mainly domestic flowers,” said Ms. Ngu Minh Trang, owner of a fresh flower shop on Le Hong Phong Street.

In addition to bouquets and fresh flower baskets, many fruit shops also combine fresh flowers and fruits to create vibrant and beautiful fruit baskets with prices ranging from 350,000 - over 1 million VND/basket.

In addition, there are also many types of handmade wax flowers, silk flowers, and dried flowers. According to records, this year, although the price of flowers for the holidays has not increased, consumption is slow and the market is less vibrant. Fresh flower shops do not have the scene of jostling and bustling trading like previous years.

“Although the price of flowers for this year’s holidays is not too expensive, purchasing power is low. The number of customers buying flower baskets and flower baskets has decreased, mainly selling bouquets at affordable prices. This was also predicted before the economic difficulties, the prices of essential goods increased, so people tightened their spending, fresh flowers are luxury goods, I only buy a limited amount of imported flowers, mainly domestic flowers at reasonable prices to serve customers,” said Ms. Cam Hang, owner of a flower shop on Nguyen Phong Sac Street.

Practical gifts "reign"

If in previous years, fresh flowers, stuffed animals, greeting cards, photo frames, etc. were sought after by many people, this year, these items are very sluggish. The reason is that due to the tight economic situation, buyers tend to look for practical gifts such as household appliances, food, and jewelry.

In particular, fresh fruit baskets are the top choice of customers. With a luxurious appearance, bearing regional specialties, fresh fruit products are very diverse, not only a sophisticated choice when giving gifts but also showing the attention and important position of the recipient. Many imported fruit shop owners grasp the trend as well as create many designs on this occasion.

Ms. Le Thu Hien, owner of an imported fruit shop on Ho Tung Mau Street, said: “Instead of a million-dollar flower basket, in recent years, many people when choosing gifts often look for “2 in 1” products, which are both polite gifts and have practical value. Eye-catching regional fruit baskets combined with fresh flowers at reasonable prices are chosen by many people.”

These days, cosmetic stores are also quite busy as many people choose lipstick, powder, and perfume as gifts. In addition, household electrical appliances, especially ovens, juicers, hair dryers, and pot sets, are often chosen by male customers.

These products are discounted from 30-49%, both as gifts and to help women reduce the burden of housework. Although the technology product group is more selective in its target customers, mainly for young people, it is also a meaningful gift group chosen at the present time.

In addition, this is also the time of changing seasons, so gifts such as clothes, shoes or health and beauty care products are also chosen by many people.

“Instead of spending 1.5 million VND to buy 3 baskets of fresh flowers to give to my mother, mother-in-law and wife, this year, I decided to buy a set of warm mugwort rugs and pillows as gifts for my family members. It has practical value in health care and can be used for a long time,” said Mr. Duong Xuan Hung, Truong Thi ward (Vinh city).

It can be seen that this year's October 20th holiday takes place in a difficult economic context, with rising prices affecting income and shopping habits. Therefore, useful and valuable gifts are chosen more. To stimulate shopping, stores and shopping malls also offer many promotions and attractive accompanying gifts.