The prices of many commodities, especially fresh food, have dropped significantly over previous months, but purchasing power remains low.
The owner of a pork stall at Tan Dinh market said prices have fallen to between 76,000 VND and 95,000 VND per kilo, depending on the kind, compared to 85,000-100,000 VND a month ago. However, sales have seen low.
She said that previously stocks sold out before noon, but she now has to prolong sales until the afternoon although she cuts prices.
Many market management boards, including Ben Thanh, Tan Dinh and Thi Nghe markets, admitted that purchasing power has fallen strongly compared to previous years.
The economic situation has affected sales, they said, adding that poor infrastructure has also caused consumers to hesitate to shop at traditional markets.
Le Ngoc Dao, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade, said only about 34 percent out of 240 traditional markets in the city are in good condition, with the remaining in serious disrepair.
Dao said sales at traditional markets in the city so far this year has dropped by about 10 percent over the same period last year.
Many small traders at traditional markets have stopped operations, or have sold their stalls or returned to market-management boards.
Dao said her department has asked relevant agencies to review the situation at traditional markets and work out measures to support small traders.
The department has developed many plans, including building brands for hygiene and food safety markets, and linking up prestigious producers and traders in traditional markets, to encourage customers to shop at traditional markets.
To attract buyers, supermarkets taking part in the city's price stabilisation programme have launched promotions.
The French-owned Big C, for instance, is currently offering discounts of 2-12 percent on 300 essential items, including fresh food, garments and textiles, cosmetics, foodstuffs and electronic products until September 3.
Along with the discounts, other periodic promotions at Big C are being organised to offer more choices to customers.
Nguyen Thanh Nhan, general deputy director of Sai Gon Co.op, said Co.op Mart supermarkets are also offering promotions to lure consumers.-VNA
