Small traders at traditional markets in Nghe An 'set up their stalls' on Facebook.
(Baonghean.vn) - In order to retain customers and increase purchasing power, especially during the prolonged pandemic, small traders in traditional markets in Nghe An have gradually changed their mindset and adopted online sales methods.
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| In addition to selling goods directly at the market, Ms. Le Thi Huong also sells vegetables, fruits, and other produce online via Facebook and Zalo. Photo: Thanh Phuc |
Having sold vegetables, fruits, and pickled goods (cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.) at the market for decades, Ms. Le Thi Huong and her husband said that selling goods at the market is becoming increasingly difficult due to competition from convenience stores and supermarkets. Especially during the pandemic, people were hesitant to go to the market, leading to even slower sales. "Revenue during the pandemic dropped by 70%, the market was empty, and there were no buyers," she said.Ms. Huong said.
For Ms. Huong, during the time the city was under lockdown.local marketThis opened up new opportunities, helping her to access online sales. “During the days I stayed home, to buy groceries, I had to order through Zalo and Facebook from supermarkets and stores. From that, I thought, if I can buy things online, I should try selling them online too. So I tried posting the items I was selling, such as vegetables, fruits, pickles, and salted figs, on my personal Zalo and Facebook accounts. Unexpectedly, many people ordered, mostly acquaintances and people from my neighborhood and village, so delivering the goods was convenient.”
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| With just a smartphone, small business owners can livestream, take photos, and advertise their goods on social media. Photo: Thanh Phuc |
Nguyen Ngoc Diep, a young beef vendor at Coi Market (Hung Loc), said that because people are hesitant to go to the market these days, to increase sales, he has joined online fairs, especially those near his area, and posted his goods for sale there.
Every day, after preparing his goods at the market, Diep "showcases" them on his personal Facebook page and business groups by:record videos, take photosVarious types of beef are available with specific prices for customers to choose from. Thanks to this, in addition to retaining regular customers, the business has expanded its customer base and maintained stable revenue as before.
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| Besides selling at the market, Diep's daily work also includes livestreaming and taking orders from online customers. Thanks to this, he maintains a loyal customer base and attracts new customers. Photo: Thanh Phuc |
Currently, most wards and communes in Vinh City have these facilities.Fanpages of online business groupswithin their local area, they attract a large number of small traders from traditional markets to participate in selling goods, with buyers mainly being residents of that ward or commune. And each different product category has its own Fanpage: Rice and Grain Trading Association; Egg and Poultry Trading Association; Online Food Market…
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| Currently, many online business groups and fanpages are located within the ward or commune, creating opportunities for small traders in traditional markets and local residents to participate in buying and selling. Photo: Thanh Phuc |
Ms. Ho My Anh, a resident of Nghi Phu commune, said: "Joining the group..."online marketIn Nghi Phu commune, instead of going to the market every day to buy groceries, I access the group, the goods are delivered to my door, and I pay by bank transfer. The sellers are mostly people I regularly buy from at the market, so I'm familiar with them and don't worry about the quality or origin. It's very convenient, and since they're in the area, I save on shipping costs.”
Previously, most small traders in traditional markets were accustomed to cash-on-delivery transactions and were reluctant to open bank accounts or accept bank transfers. This was because the majority of those involved in market trading were older and "technologically hesitant." However, now, in addition to the prolonged pandemic affecting business, traditional markets face significant pressure from competing with modern retail formats such as supermarkets, shopping malls, and convenience stores. Therefore, traders are forced to change their mindset and adopt sales methods through social media applications like Zalo and Facebook to retain customers and maintain revenue and profits.
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| Besides the impact of the pandemic, traditional markets now have to compete with modern retail stores, resulting in fewer customers and sluggish business, forcing traders to change and adapt. Photo: Thanh Phuc |
This form of online business is not only emerging in cities but also in other local markets throughout the province. Through online buying and selling groups, small traders have found ways to connect and exchange goods via Facebook and Zalo.
"Changing the way goods are sold in traditional markets is not easy. However, given the current situation, small traders must adapt and transform to attract customers while still ensuring quality and price. Currently, many small traders have applied information technology to online sales on social media platforms, and the initial results have been promising."
However, developing and creating an effective sales channel takes time, and there is still much work to be done…”.
