Christmas 2007: Shopping Season

 

The Christmas atmosphere this year in Hanoi seems to have come earlier than other years as the demand for Christmas items has been high since November. Many shopkeepers said they have prepared sufficient resources for the demand in the city. Last year, they ran out of Christmas items very early; therefore, they have stockpiled for this year’s sales, about 2-3 times higher than last year’s volumes.

Although supermarkets and shopping centres are displaying various types of Christmas decors and commodities, Hanoians still love buying Christmas goods displayed on shops along streets in ancient residential quarters. Luong Van Can Street is full of diversified types of Christmas items. Hang Ma Street is telling the clearest Christmas atmosphere as the 500-m long street has 200 small shops full of decorations for the greeting season.

 

Minh Duc, a shopkeeper on Hang Ma Street, said: “This year, the decorations come more in types and models, especially the hand-made items produced by production units in Hanoi. Most Vietnamese-made items have high quality but their prices are lower than those of imported ones. Although the selling price is a bit higher than that in 2005, street shops still import 50-70 per cent more commodities (than last year) to satisfy the customers’ demand.

 

Many types of pine trees, with heights from 0.9-3.6 m, are on display and if customers want higher pines, they must place deposits for their trees. A 1.8-m pine tree, sold by a joint venture with Taiwan, is sold at VND280,000 (US$18). In addition to Christmas trees, the market is full of garlands of various sizes, which are being sold at prices ranging from VND50,000 to VND200,000 a unit, depending on types. Well-sold Chinese products include flashes, ribbons and battery-run Santa Claus toys, which are sold above VND20,000. The Christmas cakes, an indispensable constituent to make a perfect Christmas Day, are available on famous bakeries in Hanoi, with the price of over VND50,000 each.

 

Nowadays, most souvenir shops are hanging the “Santa Claus brings gifts to your homes” boards. According to businesspeople, this is a practical and necessary enclosed service during the Christmas season. Besides, the express delivery is also provided by post offices.

 

Consumers have various options for buying their needed items in addition to attractive sales promotion programmes. Preferential treatments and attractive lucky draws have livened up the gift and decoration market this December.

 

The electronics and telecommunication sector has heated up as telecom service providers and electronics firms raced in promotion programmes. Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone and S-Fone have offered attractive service packages. For example, VinaPhone has organised lucky draws to win Altis sedans, and reduced call charges among other promotions.

 

Mobile phone providers are not outside the race. FPT Mobile launched special nationwide programme for buyers of Samsung mobile phones. Nokia also reduced prices of their products.

 

Travel and tourism companies in Hanoi are attracting visitors by discounted fours from Hanoi to northern beauty spots such as Mai Chau (Hoa Binh), Ha Long Bay and Sapa.

 

As regards foodstuff, the demand for foodstuff normally grows from between 15-20 per cent year on year. Major confectioneries and bakeries such as Kinh Do and Hai Ha Kotobuki hope their revenues to increase some 30 per cent this year. Confectioneries and bakeries said they will introduce 50 types of cream cakes during the Christmas. Notably, many cakes will have the shapes of angels and Santa Claus by the fireplace (priced from VND90,000-235,0000Ä), bells, pines and clowns for children (priced VND200,000-250,000) and traditional Buche cakes (priced VND110,000-360,000).

 

With impressive sales promotion programmes, the Hanoi market during the Christmas season will be more active. The December retail value is expected to increase 30-50 per cent against November.