VietNamNet Bridge - Retailers have been opening up more convenience stores to attract youth and students.

 

It was 8 pm. The first floor of a Circle K shop on Dien Bien Phu street in Binh Thanh street in HCM City was full of customers. Most of them were young. After spending time eating and chatting, they left the shop, paying bills of between VND50,000 and VND200,000.

Hoa, a student at the HCM City Technology University, said she had rarely gone to convenience stores in the past because of the limited space. However, she has now goes 3-4 times a week.

“The first floor of the shop has been enlarged. My friends and I like gathering here to chat every week. And food here is okay,” Hoa said.

A shop of the FamilyMart chain on D2 Road of Binh Thanh district is usually full. The retailer has also upgraded the shop. Eight sets of tables are on the first floor, where shoppers can have drinks and food, with a good view from the windows.

Family Mart now has 72 convenience stores, 52 of which have food stalls that serve fast food, including sushi, hot pots, dried food and sandwiches.

The representative went on to say that FamilyMart is seeking retail premises to expand its network, striving to open 800-1,000 shops by 2020. 

Not only convenience stores, but supermarket chains have also been trying to expand their network by offering additional utilities, such as taking orders through phones, free deliveries, and opening dining areas.

Saigon Co-op Mart said about 60 of its shops in the country now have dining areas. 

Filling station developers have also jumped on the bandwagon. They also provide associated services. Buyers of petrol can have their cars and motorbikes cleaned and buy something to eat. 

At Petrolimex filling station on Hai Ba Trung street in district 1 has ready made coffee for VND10,000-15,000 per cup. The workers at the station also provide motorbike insurance policies as well. There is a 10 square-meter bread shop next to it, where people can buy food for breakfast at reasonable prices.

A representative of the largest petroleum distribution chain said:  “If we succeed with the model, we will use it at 200 filling stations and will open convenience stores. We are looking for partners to implement the plan,” he said.

A report from Nielsen, a market survey firm, showed that modern retail now plays increasingly important roles in Vietnamese lives. At least 34 percent of surveyed consumers said they often go to supermarkets, and 29 percent said they go to supermarkets more often than in the past. Meanwhile, 22 percent said they more often go to convenience stores.

VNE