Retail sales growth to bounce back to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2021: VNDirect

Vietnam’s retail sales growth will bounce back to pre-COVID-19 levels next year, reaching 8.5-9 percent year-on-year, according to VNDirect Securities.
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam’s retail sales growth will bounceback to pre-COVID-19 levels next year, reaching 8.5-9 percent year-on-year,according to VNDirect Securities.

The projection was made on the back of the country’s successfulcontainment of COVID-19, which was a major contributor to the economic reboundin the third quarter that saw unemployment fall 0.23 percent against the previousquarter to 2.5 percent.

VNDirect also predicted that consumer confidence is likely to recover soon,against a backdrop of COVID-19 vaccines expected to be available in 2021.

With the rapid growth of the middle class and rising per capita income,domestic consumption remained the main growth driver of the retail industry,even during COVID-19.

Total retail sales of goods and services in the first 11 months increased6.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

The Conference Board and Nielsen reported that Vietnam was the second-mostoptimistic country globally, after only India, in the second quarter, with a ConsumerConfidence Index of 117 points, which was actually down 9 points compared tothe previous quarter.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade expected the domestic trade sector’sadded value to contribute 13.5 percent to GDP by 2025 and total retail sales ofgoods and services to grow around 9-9.5 percent annually over the next fiveyears.

The ministry forecast that total retail sales would reach nearly 350billion USD by 2025, or 1.6 times higher than in 2020.

The market’s recovery offers huge opportunities for retailers to expandtheir distribution networks. Saigon Co.op is targeting to add at least 2,000stores to its chain over the next five years, with revenue rising 8-10 percentannually. Major Japanese retailer Muji, which sells a wide variety of householdand consumer goods, has opened its first store in Vietnam, in HCM City, and isplanning to open another in Hanoi./.
VNA

See more

Chili peppers are on the list of essential goods in Indonesia (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia reduces imports of strategic food commodities

In 2026, Indonesia is expected to have approximately 12 million tonnes of rice carried over from the previous year, supported by annual production of around 34.7 million tonnes. With projected consumption of 31.1 million tonnes, national rice reserves could reach approximately 16 million tonnes by the end of the year.

Hanoi’s roadmap to implement low-emission zones from July is providing a strong boost to the electric two-wheeler market (Photo: VNA)

Low-emission zone roadmap drives electric two-wheeler boom in Hanoi

From July 1, Hanoi will introduce time-based or area-based restrictions on petrol-powered motorcycles within Ring Road 1, with plans to expand coverage across the entire zone by 2028 and extend to areas within Ring Road 3 by 2030. The policy is expected to reshape travel habits for millions of urban residents.

Delegates at the opening ceremony of the Made in Da Nang Expo 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Nearly 300 firms join Made in Da Nang Expo 2026

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Tran Chi Cuong said the exhibition is a large-scale trade promotion event aimed at showcasing products, connecting markets, and helping businesses enhance competitiveness while expanding domestic and export markets.

 Green production, standardised value chains key to fruit, vegetable sector growth

Green production, standardised value chains key to fruit, vegetable sector growth

Facing mounting pressure from increasingly stringent domestic and international standards, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable sector is accelerating its shift toward green, safe, and sustainable production models. Beyond changing farming practices, localities and businesses are stepping up efforts to standardise value chains and build brands to achieve growth targets for 2026.

Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Southern industrial real estate enters strategic growth phase

Key industrial hubs in the south, including Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Tay Ninh, are transitioning from a period driven largely by supply expansion and rising land prices to a more refined growth model. This new phase is shaped by infrastructure upgrades, supply chain restructuring, product improvement and greater emphasis on operational performance.

The launch of the Vietnam National Brand Week 2026 on April 16 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam National Brand Week 2026 opens

Running from April 16 to 23 nationwide, the Vietnam National Brand Week 2026 marks the 18th anniversary of Vietnam Brand Day (April 20, 2008 – 2026).