Some 16 retail chains in Hanoi are committed to ensuring goods supply at stable prices in all circumstances, even for surging consumption demand.

Hanoian consumers are shopping at Big C Thang Long on July 24. Photos: The Hanoi Times

Those retailers included BRG Retail, Hanoi Trade Corporation (HAPRO), MM Mega Market, Big C Thang Long, An Viet Manufacturing and Trading JSC, Vissan Hanoi, and Saigon Co.op Hanoi, among others.

Le Manh Phong, Northern Region Director of Big C said the retailer has raised the supply of essential goods by 30-50% and committed to meeting the increasing demand, especially for fresh goods, among local residents.

VinCommerce has worked with its large suppliers to triple the volume of basic commodities and increase five-fold that of vegetables. Its partner Masan Group has raised production capacity to ensure supplies of pork, instant noodle, fish sauce, and other processed items, Nguyen Thi Phuong, Permanent Deputy General Director of VinCommerce said.

According to the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, the supply volume of essentials is expected to triple in the next three months with a value of about VND194 trillion (US$8.4 billion).

The city has 459 wet markets, 28 shopping malls, 123 supermarkets, 1,800 convenience stores, 141 retail chains, 2,382 price-stabilized points of sale, and tens of thousands of grocery stores. 

Young shoppers at HAPRO Thanh Cong market on July 24.

Tran Thi Phuong Lan, Acting Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said the city has arranged nearly 2,000 locations to store supplies and act as mobile sale points when necessary.

Earlier, the retailers participating in the price stabilization program of VND5.7 trillion (nearly $250 million) this year, have prepared means and human resources to ensure goods supply for people in Hanoi.

Meanwhile, at some traditional markets of Khuong Thuong (Dong Da District) and Trung Hoa (Cau Giay District), the number of shoppers increased by 10-20% but the supply was not falling short of the demand. 

The wet market witnessed the price for some kinds of vegetables such as tomato and water spinach increased slightly from VND5,000 ($0.2) to VND10,000 ($0.4) per kilogram on July 24. 

In order to prevent disease transmission, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade recommended consumers and business households resort to online buying and selling methods instead of direct transactions in the traditional markets.

Delivery services allowed, shippers banned

According to the Director of the Hanoi Department of Transport, Vu Van Vien, delivery staff of supermarkets and e-commerce floors (like Lazada and Tiki), and post offices are allowed to continue their operation as the city implementing stricter social distancing measures, which started for 15 days from July 24.

“They must ensure strict pandemic prevention and management rules,” Vien said on July 25.

Meanwhile, freelance shippers, mainly serving food and drinks, are not allowed to operate in the city during this period as they may spread the novel coronavirus.

The Department of Transport today (July 25) licensed 2,200 vehicles to enter the capital city under the “green channel”, which is a certificate allowing vehicles carrying essential goods for social welfare and workers to or go through hotspots nationwide. The vehicle owners make online registration in a four-minute process.