Vinh City: Fresh flowers are slow to sell, wax flowers are selling well on International Women's Day, March 8

Since the beginning of March, Ms. Nguyen Thu Thuy in wardSchool of Examinations(Vinh City) has contacted flower gardens in Da Lat and Hanoi to import goods to serve International Women's Day (March 8). This year, due to the Covid-19 epidemic, she has proactively imported fewer flowers than in previous years, however, due to the high price of fresh flowers, input costs have not decreased.

The price of fresh flowers in Vinh City has doubled compared to previous years due to high input costs. Photo: Nguyen Chau

Ms. Thuy shared: "Due to the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, transporting fresh flowers from provinces and cities toVinh Cityencountered many difficulties, costs increased many times. For example, Da Lat roses, if in previous years imported at the price of 5,000 - 7,000 VND/flower, now fluctuate from 13,000 - 15,000 VND/flower (depending on color), forcing the selling price to increase accordingly...".

According to a survey, the price of fresh flower baskets for the March 8 holiday in Vinh City ranges from 350,000 to 500,000 VND. Imported flowers cost over 1 million VND, which has doubled compared to previous years. However, the fresh flower market is still in a gloomy and sluggish situation.

A flower shop on Nguyen Van Cu Street was deserted on the afternoon of March 6. Photo: Nguyen Chau

Le Hong Van, a student at Vinh University, said: "Students have returned to school so our group decided to pool money to sell flowers this time because we thought this was the "golden time". However, we have been open for sale for 2 days but the consumption is very low. We have also posted advertisements on social networking sites but people mainly come to ask for prices, the number of real buyers is very small...".

According to people, the current pricefresh flowersis at a very high level, spending a large amount of money to buy flowers at this time is beyond the ability of many people. Besides, many agencies and units have streamlined the organization of March 8 compared to previous years due to the impact of the epidemic, so fresh flowers are in a state of "unsold and even more unsold".

In contrast to fresh flowers, the wax flower market is somewhat more bustling. According to records, wax flower shops on major streets such as Le Duan, Le Hong Phong, Ho Tung Mau... still maintain a certain number of customers.

Wax flowers are chosen by many people on March 8 this year. Photo: Nguyen Chau

Mr. Phan Ngoc Tuan in wardCentral Capitalsaid: "The price of wax flowers only ranges from 100,000 - 200,000 VND/bunch, and they can be preserved longer than fresh flowers. In conditions where people's income is affected by the epidemic, choosing a gift that is both cheap and durable like wax flowers is understandable...".

Besides flowers, other products such as cosmetics, souvenirs, teddy bears, etc. on March 8 this year also did not have many breakthroughs in design and style. Although prices remained stable, consumption has clearly decreased compared to previous years.

Wax flowers have the advantage of being both cheaper and more durable, so they are consumed quite strongly. Photo: Nguyen Chau

To avoid the gloomy and sluggish situation, many flower shops are now closed.presentMany promotional programs have been implemented to attract customers. Many stores have applied price reductions. In addition, understanding the fear of going out, store owners have also implemented free delivery for customers to both sell products and ensure safety during the epidemic season.