(VOVworld) - Vietnam’s entry into the World Trade Organization has brought about many positive changes for Vietnam over the past 5 years. On top of economic achievements, membership has encouraged Vietnamese consumers to buy products of higher quality and greater hygiene safety at shopping centers, supermarkets, and convenience stores.

Vietnamese consumers are now familiar with shopping in supermarkets

Since Vietnam joined the global trade body 5 years ago, its economy has grown in all fields, especially in distribution services and the retail industry. Against severe competition from multi-national distributor groups, domestic enterprises have become more aggressive in expanding their retail distribution systems, improving product quality, and diversifying services. The number of new supermarkets has increased 20%, and new shopping centers 72%. In addition, hundreds of convenience stores have been opened, changing the face of the domestic retail industry and consumers’ habits. According to the Vietnam Retailers’ Association, Vietnamese people have moved from daily shopping at traditional markets to buying enough for a whole week at supermarkets and via the Internet. Nguyen Thanh Ha of Hanoi says she often shops at supermarkets 'There are more products with better quality and stable prices at supermarkets than at traditional markets. Although prices at supermarkets are often higher, I believe that the quality of products is better than in ordinary markets. Besides, shopping at supermarkets is more convenient because of the greater variety'.

Vietnam now has more than 8,500 traditional markets, 600 supermarkets, about 100 shopping centers, and many convenience stores. A majority of people agree that the diversity of products and stable prices are attractive to consumers. Nguyen Xuan Tuyet of Hanoi says ''Goods at supermarkets seem to be more dependable, as prices are fixed so customers don’t have to bargain. Besides, shoppers can choose items at their convenience. This is totally different from the traditional way of selling'.

Dinh Thi My Loan, Vice Chairwoman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Retailers’ Association, says along with a change in consumer habits is a change in the development of the domestic retail market. Vietnamese retailers have recently joined forces to outline longer-term development strategies, and improve professionalism, with particular focus on human resource training and modern management. Ms. Dinh Thi My Loan notes 'Against the pressure of competition and the opening of the market following by WTO membership, domestic retailers have exerted the greatest effort to grow with more modern and diverse models'.

Vietnam’s market share of the retail industry is 20%, twice what it was before the country joined the WTO. Some domestic distributors have developed chain outlets and are operating more professionally. But in order to further expand the industry, Vietnam needs retail groups with enough capital to compete internationally.

Vinh Phong