Changing consumer demand: Retailers seek to adapt

Consumer demand is changing, while the number of resellers is constantly increasing, making the business of many small traders and retailers in the province difficult. However, with perseverance in keeping their reputation, ensuring quality and reasonable prices, many people have still built their brand and position thanks to the trust of customers.

Tight spending means that fruits are not a priority for many families in their daily shopping baskets.

This year, many farmers and small traders have the same opinion: Family economy is more difficult than before. Ms. Vu Thi Hai, a tea grower in Dai Tu commune, said: At the beginning of the year, chicken was cheap, in the middle of the year, African swine fever and tea drought caused the output to decrease, farmers' income decreased, forcing spending to be calculated more carefully.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, shared: After the province's merger, I quit my job and received unemployment benefits. The entire family's expenses depend almost entirely on my husband's civil servant salary. Therefore, whatever savings we can make, we have to do it to the maximum extent.

Reduced incomes have forced many families to change their consumption habits. People prioritize essential goods and cut down on unnecessary spending, causing purchasing power in the market to stagnate, directly affecting many industries.

At the traditional market, the scene of unsold goods has become familiar. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien, a vegetable and fruit vendor at Khu Nam market, Gia Sang ward, said: I used to sell many items, now I only sell vegetables and fresh flowers on the 15th and 1st of the lunar month. Customers are mainly workers and retirees, with low incomes while prices are getting more and more expensive, so purchasing power has decreased sharply.

Another reason, according to Ms. Hien, is the rapid increase in the number of sellers. Compared to 5 years ago, the number of stalls has nearly doubled, many people take advantage of "going to the market" to earn extra income. Meanwhile, customers with good incomes have switched to supermarkets or online shopping, making the already difficult business even more difficult.

In a similar situation, Ms. Nguyen Thi H., a clothing vendor at Doc Hanh market, Tich Luong ward, shared: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people's spending has changed a lot. For people with average incomes, most only prioritize essential spending, while clothes and shoes are cut sharply. Meanwhile, the cost of renting land, storing goods, and electricity also costs about 2 million VND/month. The capital for each stall at an average level like mine has reached 500-600 million VND. I have been attached for nearly 30 years, sometimes I just want to quit but don't know what else to do, so I still have to stay to take care of my children's education.

Most of the vendors at traditional markets in the province today are middle-aged and elderly, and have been doing this job for many years.

The market is now mainly inhabited by middle-aged and elderly people, few young people dare to follow because of the hardship and unstable income. Observing the area selling fabrics, clothes, and shoes, even though it is the busiest time of the day, there are only a few people, many stalls are empty. Not only clothes, but vegetables, food, and household goods are also in a state of sparse customers.

Not only traditional markets, small retail stores or online businesses also face fierce competition, the number of customers is not increasing, forcing small businesses to find many ways to survive.

In the context of general difficulties, there are still many people who find their own way. Ms. Nguyen Thi Linh, owner of a cosmetics store on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, said: I only sell products with clear origins, with low profits to keep customers for a long time. From a small online retailer, I now have a store with 10 employees who sell directly, close orders, pack and deliver. The secret is genuine products, reasonable prices, sincere advice and dedicated customer care.

A fish noodle shop in Tich Luong ward owned by Mr. Thanh is also a typical example. Although many new eateries have sprung up in the surrounding area, the number of customers coming to his shop has remained stable for many years, thanks to the clean, tasty food, reasonable prices and enthusiastic service. "It's not too special, but customers are very satisfied because my whole family eats the same pot of broth with customers almost every day," Mr. Thanh shared.

The owner of Hung Trang grocery store in Pho Yen ward also keeps customers with reputation. Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang said: The price may not be the cheapest, but reputation must be the top priority. When goods are scarce, I never unreasonably increase the price. If customers need to return or exchange, I always support them.

It can be said that in the context of “ten thousand sellers, one hundred buyers”, business has never been as difficult and arduous as it is today. However, if we know how to keep our reputation, put quality and service attitude first, the opportunity to survive and develop will always exist.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202509/nhu-cau-tieu-dung-thay-doitieu-thuong-tim-cach-thich-ung-e786061/