March 8th Gift Market: Some Places Are Quiet, Some Places Are Bustling

The gift market for International Women’s Day (March 8) in Hanoi this year started later than usual but is still not “warm”. The luxury and expensive gift segment is quiet due to the impact of economic difficulties; meanwhile, the affordable gift segment is selling well.



Luxury gifts do not sell well

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Anh, owner of Thai Anh flower shop on Luong Dinh Cua street, said that compared to previous years, the flower market this year is less vibrant. “On the occasion of March 8 last year, my shop sold more than 20 flower baskets priced from 2 - 3 million VND/basket. This year, customers mainly choose affordable bouquets, from 150,000 - 350,000 VND/bouquet. Flower prices have only increased by about 20% compared to normal days, but sales are quite slow,” Ms. Ngoc Anh shared.

Walking around many stores selling fashionable clothes, handbags, and shoes during this time, we all received the answer that sales are slow and have not increased compared to normal days. Mr. Pham Hoai Nam, owner of the Man & Woman office fashion store on Ba Trieu Street, said: “Since the end of February, we have hung a sign offering a 10% discount for all orders from 2 million VND or more and a 10% discount for female customers on the occasion of March 8, but sales have not increased; even compared to the discount, sales revenue is not enough to compensate.” In fact, fashion stores like Mr. Nam’s are still selling steadily because in addition to high-end products, there are also popular items.

Meanwhile, the lack of customers at high-end stores, where each product costs tens of millions of dong, is very clear. Nguyen Ngoc Linh, a saleswoman at an imported fashion brand, said that sales since the beginning of 2013 have decreased compared to the same period last year. It is almost March 8, but sales still show no signs of improvement.

Mai Linh, the owner of an online store selling imported perfumes, also lamented the sluggish situation. Linh said that last year her sales were very good, but this year, there are fewer visitors and most of them only buy perfumes that cost from a few hundred thousand to under 1 million VND.

Cheap and practical "reign"

The gift market for March 8 this year also recorded a new factor: in addition to traditional gifts, many stores are advertising unique, different, and affordable gifts. The practicality and convenience of gifts such as USB-plugged hedgehog heating pillows, bird watches, Eco ceramic cups, etc. are the leading reasons for "attracting customers". Mr. Cao Van Nam, a salesman for a refrigeration company, said that he bought a heating pillow with a USB port for 230,000 VND as a gift for his girlfriend. This practical gift is loved by women because it can be used to work and warm up at the same time. In addition, high-heeled chocolate gifts priced at 499,000 VND are also selling well.

In addition to the cute gifts mentioned above, household goods also sell quite well on March 8. Cao Hai Ha, an employee of Hanh Media Company, shared: "On March 8, I bought my mother a multi-function blender for 979,000 VND. This machine is very convenient for housework and preparing dishes for the family, making my mother very satisfied." Household items that are popular on this occasion include non-stick pans, microwave ovens, multi-function pots, blenders, etc. In particular, electronics centers are also quick to discount these items, so purchasing power has increased dramatically.

Affordable spiritual gifts have also become the gifts sought after by many gentlemen to give their wives and girlfriends on March 8. In Hanoi, in addition to grand music shows such as: Thousand Words of Love, Ru Tinh, Trinh Cong Son Music Night... with a series of famous artists such as Tuan Ngoc, Hong Nhung, Thanh Lam, Tan Minh, Tran Thu Ha, Quang Dung, My Tam..., there are also comedy and music shows for the audience to choose from... The prices for the shows also have many segments, in which, tickets of 1 million VND/pair are selling very well. Mr. Nguyen Manh Tu, a lecturer at the Banking Academy, shared: "I bought a pair of tickets for the Ru Tinh music night for 1 million VND. On the night of March 8, I will take my wife to listen to music, then go out for dinner together. What could be more wonderful than the feeling of being with and sharing sweet moments with the person you love on this happy day!".

In addition to the above gifts, giving books to your loved ones is also a choice that many gentlemen aim for. Large bookstores such as Trang Tien, Nguyen Van Cu, etc. are busier on the occasion of March 8. With prices ranging from a few tens to a few hundred thousand VND, choosing a suitable book to give to your loved ones on March 8 is really not a bad suggestion!

The gift market for March 8 is quite diverse and rich, but choosing a suitable and meaningful gift for the person you love is a delicate task for men. A small gift, not need to be elaborate or expensive, a wish, a care... is the greatest encouragement and sharing that "half the world" always expects!

In conclusion, for many women in rural areas, in difficult economic conditions and with low incomes, a wish and care from their husbands, fathers, etc. is enough. Hopefully, men will share the difficulties with their beloved women.

According to Kinhtenong - HV