Promoting support for digital transformation in the retail sector - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station

- Currently, the strong development of technology has rapidly changed people's shopping and consumption trends. Therefore, the exploitation and application of digital technology in business activities of enterprises and economic organizations in the retail sector is very necessary, contributing to promoting the development of the province's digital economy.

WinMart Supermarket staff, Lang Son city use barcode scanner to create payment bills for customers

The province currently has 3 shopping malls, 9 supermarkets, a chain of 14 WinMart+ convenience stores... and about 20,000 agents and retail establishments. In recent years, the strong digital transformation has had a great impact on the retail sector with the emergence of many new forms of business and shopping, bringing many values ​​and economic benefits to both businesses and consumers. In response to that reality, to support "retailers" to quickly grasp and master the trend, the Provincial People's Committee has directed relevant sectors and units to promote the implementation of solutions such as: building a 4.0 market model; training and fostering digital transformation skills for businesses and production and business organizations in the retail sector...

For example, from 2022 to present, the Department of Industry and Trade - the core agency advising on the development of trade and services of the province has coordinated with Viettel Lang Son to deploy the 4.0 market model (also known as cashless market) in 9 central markets in the province. At the same time, on average each year, the Department of Industry and Trade coordinates with related units to organize 2-3 training conferences, fostering knowledge about digital transformation for about 200 enterprises, cooperatives, and business households; support 5-6 enterprises to apply accounting software, industry management...; support 8-10 retail businesses to open online stores and supermarkets and guide how to livestream sales on e-commerce platforms...

Ms. Do Thi Tham, owner of a grocery store at Gieng Vuong market, Lang Son city, shared: In 2022, I joined the 4.0 market model and was supported to open a Viettel Money account, equipped with a QR code for payment. Since then, my store has applied a cashless payment method, creating convenience and speed in the buying and selling process. In addition, I have also been given opportunities by the Market Management Board and related sectors to participate in training courses and instructions on exploiting digital platforms for business. In the past 2 years, I have used Zalo and Facebook accounts to advertise and sell products, thereby reaching more customers.

In particular, since 2021, the Department of Information and Communications (now the Department of Science and Technology) has advised the Provincial Steering Committee for Digital Transformation to deploy community digital technology teams (CNCTS). To date, the province has developed more than 1,600 CNSCĐ teams with about 10,000 members. Every year, 100% of CNSCĐ team members participate in training courses to improve digital capacity and digital skills (including how to use digital stores, electronic payment accounts, etc.), thereby becoming the core force in carrying out propaganda work on digital transformation as well as disseminating digital knowledge and skills, etc. to the people. This is an important factor contributing to promoting digital transformation in the retail sector because every citizen is a consumer.

Mr. Vi Van Phuong, Khon Khe village, Binh Phuc commune, Van Quan district said: In 2023, I was directly instructed by a member of the commune's CNSCD team to install and use cashless payment applications, e-commerce platforms... Thanks to that, now when I go shopping at stores, I can pay online quickly and conveniently via my bank account. In addition, I can also easily order many of the province's specialty products on online shopping channels without having to go directly to the place of sale.

According to the assessment of the provincial industry and trade sector, up to now, most supermarkets, shopping malls, and convenience stores in the province have participated extensively in the digital transformation process, especially many establishments have used specialized sales software; applied software to track consumption and shopping habits, the number of customer interactions to provide timely and effective care policies... At the same time, in the network of about 20,000 agents and modern and traditional retail establishments in the province, currently about 75% of agents and retail establishments have gradually applied digital technology to operations at different levels such as using sales software; equipping POS machines, QR codes for cashless payments; advertising and selling through social networking sites, e-commerce platforms...

Digital transformation not only helps businesses and retail establishments in the province meet consumer needs and increase sales, but also contributes to the stable development of the trade and service industry. This is clearly demonstrated through the total retail value of goods in the province increasing steadily every year. By the end of 2023, the total retail sales of goods in the province reached 31,729.9 billion VND, an increase of 27.2% compared to 2022; in 2024, the total retail sales of goods reached 32,756.7 billion VND, an increase of 14.42% compared to 2023.

Mr. Lieu Anh Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said: For the retail industry, digital transformation plays a very important role, not only improving business efficiency and customer experience, but also aiming for sustainable development in the direction of green production and green consumption. Therefore, in the coming time, the department will continue to coordinate with related sectors to strengthen support for businesses and business households to promote the application of information technology and management software in business activities, especially the development of e-commerce, thereby promoting the development of the province's digital economy.

It can be affirmed that digital transformation has become an inevitable development trend in the retail sector. Thereby, it brings a better experience to customers and helps businesses and retail establishments increase revenue, profit as well as competitiveness in the market, contributing to promoting the socio-economic development of the province.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/day-manh-ho-tro-chuyen-doi-so-trong-linh-vuc-ban-le-5042553.html