HCMCity (VNS/VNA) - Retailers in Ho Chi Minh City have quicklyadapted to the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by resorting toe-commerce and delivery services.

Inthe first eight months of the year, only retail grew among all the servicesectors.

Areport by the city’s Department of Industry and Trade said retail revenuestopped 503 trillion VND (21.78 billion USD), an 8.3 percent increaseyear-on-year.

Directshopping revenues fell, but online sales saved many businesses.

VoThi Phuong Mai, deputy director and head of retail services at CBRE Vietnam,said the pandemic had generally impacted direct visitor traffic but createdopportunities for small and medium-sized models such as convenience stores andpharmacies and, especially, e-commerce.

"E-commerceis a bright spot that has supported physical stores during the pandemic,"she said.

SaigonCo.op, a traditional retail giant established in 1996, has moved towardsmulti-channel sales in recent years.

DoQuoc Huy, Saigon Co.op’ s marketing director, said with experience gainedduring the worst days of COVID-19 its retail systems had a clear roadmap forstockpiling and measures to cope with new developments.

SaigonCo.op’s human resources and transportation plans had been carefully mapped outto cope with any eventualities, he said.

Besides,its retail chains like Co.opmart, Co.opXtra, Co.op Food, and Co.op Smiles areoffering attractive promotions on essential goods for 21 days from August 20under a programme called Proud of Vietnamese Goods 2020.

Itoffers discounts on many products like milk, meat, fish, fish sauce, fragrantrice, and more than 20 other kinds of farm produce.

Thedepartment forecast the retail sector to grow by around 10 percent this year.

Manymanufacturers also offer various promotions to stimulate demand, includingleading food company Vissan.

Inaddition to promotions at attractive prices at its stores and supermarkets,Vissan said it was committed to providing consumers with meat products meeting VietGAPstandards./.