The retail sales value of goods and services increased by only 0.68 percent to VND156 trillion (USD7.4 billion) during May.
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Compared to previous months, May saw the lowest increase in sales value, according to the Domestic Market Watch Board run by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The total retail sales value during the first five months of 2011 reached VND762.7 trillion (USD36.3 billion), an increase of 22.5 percent over the same period last year. Considering inflation, the value rose by only 6.4 percent, however.
The board attributed the slower pace of retail sales to high inflation, which has caused consumers to cut spending. Increased commodity prices have also caused sales volumes to fall.
During the first five months, commercial sector revenue, which accounted for nearly 80 percent of the nation\'s total consumption revenue, rose by 23.6 percent in comparison with the same period last year.
Last year, the country\'s total retail sales value of goods and services jumped by 24.5 percent to VND1,561 trillion (USD74.3 billion) against the previous year.
Modern retail chains currently account for 20 percent of distribution in the country. This level is low compared with regional countries. However, experts have predicted this figure will grow to around 31.2 percent by 2015.
Managing Partner at Athena Retail Consulting Vu The Du said that there still remained a multitude of investment opportunities in Vietnam , especially throughout its untapped rural areas.
"Whilst rural sales have grown by 30-40 percent annually, retail sales in rural areas, housing 74 percent of the country\'s population, still provide major investment potential," Du said.
The retail industry annually contributes more than 15 percent of the country\'s gross domestic product (GDP) and employs more than 5.4 million workers, representing over 10 percent of Vietnam \'s total workforce.
