Supermarkets in HCM City have enough supply to meet demands
On July 6, MM Mega Market Vietnam reported that the number of visitors to the supermarket jumped by 50% and online orders increased 15-fold. MM Mega Market Vietnam assured that they buy 95% of the goods directly from the suppliers and would not be affected after several markets in HCM City closed.
Director of the Department of Industry and Trade Bui Ta Hoang Vu said food and traders were still working even though three wholesale markets, Hoc Mon, Binh Dien and Thu Duc had to close for Covid-19 prevention. Vu said many traders have moved online.
"The traders now bring their goods to other retail markets and different outlets. We'll issue guidance and related phone numbers to the residents," he said. "People shouldn't be worried. The products on display will be restocked tomorrow. Supermarkets, convenience stores and markets are still open."
Moreover, the food reserves at some firms are three times higher than normal. 60% of the traditional markets in HCM City are still open along with 102 supermarkets and 2,400 convenience stores.
Nguyen Tien Dung, director of the Hoc Mon Wholesale Market Management and Trading Co. Ltd., said after the market closed on June 28, the traders still operated via phones and the internet. Instead of selling the food to other provinces, the traders now focus on HCM City.
He also agreed that the supermarkets and convenience stores could meet demand. The traders and the suppliers would discuss costs and expenses like Covid-19 tests for drivers to ensure food security in HCM City.
"Flocking to supermarkets and convenience stores poses a higher risk and may worsen the situation," Dung said. "My wife went to the supermarket then returned home immediately after seeing the crowd there."
