Boosting retail growth: Need to start with the business itself

Developing balanced trade infrastructure between regions

Although there are no official statistics from the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), according to preliminary calculations, in the first quarter of 2025, the growth in total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue is estimated to increase by 9.4% over the same period. Currently, many localities have also announced the total retail sales figures for the first quarter. Of which, it is estimated that in the first quarter of 2025, the total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in Hanoi will reach 226.3 trillion VND, an increase of 13.3% over the same period last year.

Consumers in the capital shop for goods at GO! Thang Long supermarket (Hanoi). Photo: Nguyen Hanh

In Nam Dinh, total retail sales of goods and service revenue in the first quarter reached VND 21,510 billion, up 14.9% over the same period last year. Total retail sales of goods and service revenue in the first quarter had a scale and growth rate compared to the same period last year (the highest in the period 2021 - 2025).

The sum achieved by localities will contribute to the overall results of the growth picture of retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue of the whole country. In the context of 2025, the world political and economic situation continues to have many complex fluctuations affecting the domestic and foreign commodity markets. Therefore, although some initial positive results have been achieved, compared to the Government's target of GDP growth of over 8% in 2025, the total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue strives to reach 12%, requiring breakthrough solutions and efforts from the business community.

Talking to reporters of the Industry and Trade Newspaper about this issue, Mr. Nguyen Trong Tuan - Operations Director of the WinMart chain - informed that Vietnam has about 65% of rural areas and the rest are urban. This area will be an opportunity for retail businesses. Growth of 12% is also a challenging number. But if there is a solution to promote rural retail, it is still possible to achieve. This is also the orientation of the supermarket system to be able to both achieve growth and capture a piece of the Vietnamese retail market share.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Tuan also proposed support policies such as exemption/reduction of value added tax for land lease and exemption of electricity tax to encourage businesses to expand to rural areas.

Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Linh - Director of External Relations of Central Retail Vietnam proposed that the Vietnam Retailers Association could organize conferences and programs connecting retail units, associations, partners with retail premises and state management agencies to develop commercial infrastructure. In addition, support retail businesses in accessing and expanding the market through online distribution channels. At the same time, propose local management agencies (such as the Department of Industry and Trade) to support and create more favorable conditions for people to shop on the spot.

Ms. Tran Thi Phuong Lan - Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Retailers Association - said that the Association acknowledged the opinions of retail businesses proposing solutions related to the development of commercial infrastructure, especially in rural areas to ensure regional balance and central locations of provinces and cities when administrative boundaries are rearranged.

In addition, propose policies to develop logistics; support Vietnamese enterprises in the field of retail distribution to continue to promote consumption, increase total retail sales; strengthen the organization of consumer stimulus events with localities according to practical and specific programs to increase consumer confidence, stimulate consumption, especially for items with reduced purchasing power due to people tightening spending such as apparel, textiles, beer, wine, soft drinks, electronics, household appliances, etc.

Connecting tourism with services, opening sales points in tourist areas to serve visitors for shopping; focusing on developing souvenirs and promoting regional specialties, OCOP products... of localities to domestic and foreign tourists.

Need cooperation of all parties

Promoting retail growth in Vietnam to 12% in 2025, Ms. Tran Thi Phuong Lan also said that, in addition to the recommendations of businesses to the authorities, the participation of retail businesses themselves is needed. Because according to her, we require state management agencies to reduce 30% of administrative procedures, but retail businesses have not been able to do this, especially in the stage of purchasing input products. The payment period for suppliers lasts from 30 to 60 days, causing difficulties for new start-ups, small revenue and low capital to help retail growth.

Also according to Ms. Tran Thi Phuong Lan, Vietnam Retailers Association, implementing Directive No. 08/CT-BCT dated April 4, 2025 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on implementing solutions to continue promoting domestic market development, stimulating consumption in 2025, the Association proposed that Vietnamese distribution and retail enterprises coordinate with the Association in connecting with functional agencies and other Associations in developing goods sources, increasing competitiveness, stimulating consumption, increasing consumer confidence index... At the same time, closely monitor market developments to report to competent authorities and proactively deploy solutions at enterprises to ensure supply and demand, and control inflation.

In addition, closely coordinate with the Market Management Department under the Department of Industry and Trade of provinces and cities, and functional forces to combat smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, fake goods, cheap imported goods of unknown origin... in e-commerce and traditional commerce to support domestic production, protect the domestic market, and protect consumer rights.

From a local perspective, Mr. Nguyen The Hiep - Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade said that in order to achieve the growth target of total retail sales in the city, the Department will accompany retail businesses in developing commercial infrastructure, attracting investment, applying e-commerce, improving the human resource management team, promoting the connection between the Hanoi market and localities. At the same time, promoting the introduction of OCOP products into the modern retail system; developing green consumption models, sustainable development.

In Directive No. 08/CT-BCT dated April 4, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade assigned targets for total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in 2025 to each locality.

Nguyen Hanh

Source: https://congthuong.vn/thuc-tang-truong-ban-le-can-bat-dau-tu-chinh-doanh-nghiep-381697.html