Revive traditional markets

As an "industrial capital" with a large population, it seems that Binh Duong's traditional market will be very bustling, but in reality, it is not as expected.

Thu Dau Mot Market is located in a prime location in Phu Cuong Ward, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province, but the kiosks in this market are always deserted and deserted. Seeing customers visiting the kiosk, Ms. Muoi (60 years old, a ready-made clothing vendor) enthusiastically greeted them.

Trading moderately, taking it as it comes

Mrs. Muoi's stall is about 8 square meters, quite monotonous, with few fashionable designs, following current trends. Mrs. Muoi said that the golden age of this clothing stall was about 15-20 years ago, at that time, she had 2-3 people selling with her to keep up, sometimes she could make a profit of several million VND, but now it is difficult to earn 100,000 VND a day. "Nowadays, there are many products online, cheap prices, so we sell moderately, and we take it as it comes. Luckily, the monthly rent is only 800,000 VND, so there is no pressure and we just get by slowly" - Mrs. Muoi sadly said.

Looking over at the kiosk next door, a woman was lying in a hammock, typing on her phone, while it was peak shopping time (around 10am). Unlike Mrs. Muoi, although she saw customers, Mrs. Thuan (49 years old) was not very welcoming. "I'm used to people coming to look at things, ask for prices, then politely refuse, and also complain that they are more expensive than online products, so I have to accept it," said Mrs. Thuan. In the past few years, Mrs. Thuan's family's monthly income from the clothing stall has been only 3-4 million VND. Income has decreased sharply, so daily expenses have to be cut to the minimum.

According to research, most of the vendors selling goods at traditional markets are elderly people. Therefore, changing jobs or finding a new business plan is something that few people consider. Only those who rent stalls and kiosks at high prices will look for other ways to do business because they cannot survive with the rent.

The general situation at traditional markets in Binh Duong is very deserted.

Walking around the markets in other bustling localities such as Thuan An City, Di An or Tan Uyen, one can see the common situation of small traders: surfing the phone, sitting in groups of three or five when bored, chatting. When too tired, they fall asleep on hammocks or deck chairs. At these markets, the stalls have almost no customers or occasionally a few customers come in to ask to buy.

Ms. Phan Thi Khanh Duyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Binh Duong province, said that up to now, the whole province has 95 markets in operation, including 2 grade 1 markets, 15 grade 2 markets and 78 grade 3 markets. Of these, 69 markets are invested, operated and managed by enterprises; 26 markets are managed in the form of Market Management Teams.

Implement 6 solutions at the same time

Assessing the business activities of traditional markets, Ms. Duyen said that most markets are currently facing many difficulties, partly because traders are slow to grasp the innovation trends and consumer demand. On the other hand, traditional market activities are facing unfair competition from spontaneous business locations and areas located throughout Binh Duong province.

Faced with the above situation, the Department of Industry and Trade is coordinating with local People's Committees to review, analyze causes, assess difficulties and obstacles to support the operation of this traditional distribution channel and find directions and solutions to help traditional markets adapt and develop appropriately.

Accordingly, the Department of Industry and Trade has proposed 6 solutions to help traditional markets overcome difficulties in business operations.

That is, the Department has coordinated with the People's Committees of districts and cities to review and evaluate the local trade and service development plan, people's consumption needs, and the current infrastructure status of markets. Thereby, advising the Provincial People's Committee to issue a plan for domestic market development in the period up to 2030, with a vision to 2050. In which, there is a roadmap to upgrade, renovate, and build new traditional markets in the direction of modernity and commercial civilization; in line with the urbanization rate and population growth of the locality, meeting the needs of the people.

In addition, attracting investment, encouraging economic sectors to participate in market business investment; encouraging the transfer of markets to capable enterprises to manage and exploit markets through auction and bidding activities. On the other hand, perfecting the legal corridor in market management. The Department will deploy solutions to support small traders to access and get familiar with online business methods in cyberspace.

In particular, creating conditions for small traders to participate in Binh Duong E-commerce Platform and other large trading platforms; providing cashless payment solutions; online sales solutions; 4.0 market...

In addition, strengthen the resolution of spontaneous business locations and areas, prevent recurrence and new occurrences; organize and arrange spontaneous buying and selling cases to do business at vacant traditional markets in the area.

An economic expert believes that in order to attract customers, traders in traditional markets themselves must change their behavior in providing services to customers; improve service quality; ensure the sale of safe food with clear origin and source, enhance competitiveness with similar goods on the market; and proactively approach online business channels to keep up with market trends and customer needs.

Auction in the form of socialization

Recently, Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper has received many reports about the Dong Tam market project in Dong Tam commune (Dong Phu district, Binh Phuoc province) which was built 20 years ago but has been "covered up" and its components are seriously degraded.

"We expected the market to be a place to exchange goods, create momentum for local development and benefit the people, but who would have thought the market would be so deserted like this?" said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, who lives near Dong Tam market.

According to research, Dong Tam market is located about 80 meters from National Highway 14, invested in construction since 2005 with an area of ​​about 1.2 hectares, costing 3.45 billion VND from the National Target Program capital under Program 135/1998/QD-TTg.

Mr. Pham Xuan Thach, Deputy Head of the Economic - Infrastructure Department of Dong Phu district, said that Dong Tam market is not operating effectively because the market is located far from the center and the population is sparse. On the other hand, the market is not designed appropriately, making the buying and selling process of small traders and people encounter many difficulties. Regarding the upcoming solution, Mr. Thach said that Dong Phu district People's Committee has included in the plan to organize auctions in the form of socialization.

S. Hung

Source: https://nld.com.vn/vuc-day-cho-truyen-thong-196250217204651664.htm