Hanoi (VNA) 🦂– Amid complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers and distributors in Hanoi have stockpiled products and built distribution plans to meet consumers’ demand.

Increasing stockpiling of essential goods

Currently, fresh farm produce, face masks, hand sanitiser, and instant noodles are among the most sought-after products at supermarkets. Do Ngoc Khanh Chi, Director of the AEON Vietnam Co., Ltd.’s branch in Ha Dong district, said the total stockpiles of the entire AEON mall system have to date increased by 1.5-2 times, adding that with suppliers from across the nation, the company takes the initiative in goods supply in all circumstances. Nguyen Thi Hien, Director of VinMart supermarkets in Hanoi, said the volume of the chain’s stored products have gone up between 5 and 10 times. Promotional campaigns will still be launched despite a hike in transport fees since the disease broke out, she noted. Nguyen Thai Dung, General Director of BRG Retail, said the group has worked with suppliers to increasing inventories of necessities in its 47 stores by 300 percent. According to him, BRG Retail has sealed deals with 10 suppliers to ensure the adequate amount of face masks. Food safety is the top priority and the company is planning to open new selling stores and boost online sale, he said.

Building plans in response to COVID-19

The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has requested local enterprises actively prevent and control the disease in their supermarkets and stores and get ready to run mobile selling points if necessary. In case a large number of stores in an area stopping operation and consumers’ demand increasing by 50 to 100 percent, the department will support the transport of goods to the area as soon as possible. According to Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan, almost all distributors and wholesale markets have actively increased their stockpiles of goods. The value of stockpiled goods in a month is 64 trillion VND, three times higher than the value of monthly consumed products in normal conditions. The stockpiling is set to take place in August, September, and October. Food safety must be ensured and prices of goods must be stabilised between now and the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year festival) holiday, Lan said, adding that Hanoi is also preparing to support other localities if needed. Following the department’s order, all supermarkets and shopping centres in the capital city have activated their disease prevention and control measures. Do Ngoc Khanh Chi said AEON has devised a process to handle COVID-19 infections taking place among the group’s staff, clients and business partners in line with the Ministry of Health’s guidance. Nguyen Thai Dung, meanwhile, informed that the BRG Retail has set up a steering board for COVID-19 prevention and control and built response plans particularly in case of the locations of its stores quarantined due to the pandemic. “We have worked with localities to prepare the venues for mobile selling points and open more warehouses. We also worked with suppliers to mobilise transport vehicles when needed,” he said. According to the department, the People’s Committees of local districts and towns have so far secured deals with supplying units and established 2,156 locations to serve as the venues for warehouses and mobile selling points./.