Retailers in Ho Chi Minh City are launching numerous promotional campaigns hoping to cash in on the shopping fever as the year’s biggest festival, the Lunar New Year (Tet), is only days away.

As part of the Tet promotional campaign, Big C supermarket has offered discounts from 5-50 percent for more than 800 food items until February 9, the last day of the lunar 2012, coupled with additional gifts.

The chain of Co.opmart supermarkets have cut the prices of around 2,000 various items by up to 49 percent under its special Tet promotion. Co.opmart Director Nguyen Thanh Nhan said that the supermarket has spent a huge budget for this promotional campaign. Besides, the chain has maintained the prices of nine groups of essential goods in line with the city’s programme on stabilising prices, to ensure that local residents can enjoy a decent but economical Tet holiday.

The local shopping TV channel HTCo.op also offers hundreds of products with discounts up to 49 percent.

In addition to promotion campaigns, retailers are also working hard to provide quick and careful services for customers despite surging demands.

According to Duong Thi Quynh Trang, Big C Director for External Affairs and Public Relations, the supermarket is implementing intensive plans to ensure best services for shoppers in the upcoming Tet holiday, including opening more checking counters, and extending opening hours by up to 2 hrs per day from now until the February 9.

The municipal authorities have been keeping close inspection on the operation of supermarkets and shops for smooth circulation of goods and product quality.-VNA