VIETNAM RETAILERS STOCK UP ON FOOD, SUPPLIES DUE TO COVID

Vietnamese retailers have prepared goods to ensure adequate supply in all circumstances and have continued measures to safeguard the health of customers and staff amid new cases of COVID-19 that have occurred via community transmission.

Saigon Co.op has increased stock for essential goods and taken stricter measures against COVID-19 at its supermarkets and retail stores nationwide, including Co.opmart, Co.opXtra, Co.op Food, and Co.opSmile, the Vietnam news agency (VNA) reported on July 31, 2020.

Do Quoc Huy, Saigon Co.op’ s marketing director, said with experience gained from the peak COVID-19 period, its retail systems have a clear roadmap for stockpiling as well as measures to cope with new developments.

An adequate supply of essential goods have been ensured as well as antibacterial cloth masks, medical masks and hand gel sanitisers, he said, adding that Saigon Co.op’ s human resources and transportation plans have been carefully mapped out to cope with any circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fresh food, fruits and vegetables and face masks are among the best-selling products at Co.opmart's entire system. In addition, sales of instant noodles, frozen foods and sanitary products have increased slightly compared to the previous week, he said. At Co.opmart Da Nang in Da Nang city, which has resumed strict social distancing measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, sales of these products have risen by 25 percent compared to a week ago.