|
Fewer shoppers reported because of flu outbreak
Half a month after information began being released daily about flu outbreaks at schools, office buildings and apartment blocs, consumers have become more hesitant to go to crowded places, including supermarkets. Retailers have reported decreases in numbers of shoppers in the two biggest cities of Vietnam.
Book stores, shops, supermarkets and markets in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City all have reported that they have not seen large numbers of customers purchasing products for summer trips and learning aids, though it is now the high sales season. At supermarkets, long queues of people in check-out lines are not seen these days, even on weekends.
Supermarkets have reported 5-10 percent decreases in numbers of visitors at chains over the last week.
Ngo Van Hai, Deputy Director of Citimart, said that the number of visitors to Citimart has dropped by 10 percent. Hai said that the supermarket encourages customers to wear masks to protect themselves and the community. Meanwhile, workers in the frozen food and processed food departments at the supermarket also have to wear masks.
Maximark’s Director Nguyen Phuong Thao said that many visitors to the supermarket try to protect themselves by wearing masks while shopping. “More than 50 percent of visitors wear masks when they select goods,” she said.
Coop Mart and Intimex Hao Nam said they have encouraged clients and partners to place orders via telephone, so that they do not have to go to crowded places. “We only have to meet the partners directly when it is really very necessary,” a representative from Intimex said.
Zen Plaza trade centre has reported that revenue has not been affected by the flu outbreak. Since August 5, all visitors entering the trade centre have had their body temperatures taken.
Deputy General Director of Zen Plaza Trieu Thi Huong Giang said that the body temperature check may make visitors feel uncomfortable, but she still believes that this should be done to protect the community.
At traditional markets, the number of customers has been decreasing significantly. The owner of a shop selling learning aids and school bags at Tan Binh Market related that less than 10 customers drop into the shop every day, while it is now the high sales season, as the new school year will begin in just a few days. She said that most customers now just call to make orders and ask for delivery.
Phung Thu Hang, who is managing Khuc Giao Mua Café, said that since the H1N1 flu broke out in HCM City, the café has become quieter with revenue down by 1/3.
Café owners say they still cannot think of any effective measures which will protect people from the flu and help them keep normal business. Minh, the owner of Khong Loi Café in Hanoi, said that it is impossible to ask clients to wear masks.
vietnamnet, sgtt, vneconomy
|
