AEON representatives answered questions and difficulties for local businesses at the event.

This activity aims to equip knowledge and share information on technical standards of goods to ensure that they meet the quality requirements supplied to the AEON Vietnam system. The main objective of this exchange is to gradually improve the production capacity of local suppliers.

Small-scale suppliers still face many "difficulties"

According to a recent report by the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association, although Vietnam has a population of up to 93 million people, of which 60% are young consumers, Vietnamese retail businesses can only meet 25% of demand, a rate lower than many countries in the region such as Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines... The government has introduced many solutions to support domestic retailers. However, according to Mr. Pham Dinh Doan, Vice President of the Vietnam Retailers Association, the difficulty in developing the domestic market does not only come from the limitations of Vietnamese retailers themselves, but also because domestic manufacturers have not really realized the importance of the distribution system, and have not paid due attention to marketing and branding to create a competitive advantage.

Understanding the difficulties of suppliers, AEON Vietnam has implemented many support activities to improve the production capacity and product quality of suppliers. Through these support activities, suppliers have been equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to produce and supply high-quality products, meeting the requirements of AEON Vietnam as well as the international market. With continuous efforts, AEON Vietnam hopes to be able to accompany and support to overcome the difficulties of local suppliers.

Improve capacity, accompany suppliers to reach further

Following the success of the annual training program for businesses that are already suppliers of AEON Vietnam, this year, the Japanese retailer expanded the foundation training program for local suppliers in Hue and neighboring provinces on November 29, 2023. This foundation training program is for businesses that are not yet suppliers of AEON Vietnam, aiming to provide local businesses with a solid foundation for product development as well as opportunities to cooperate with AEON Vietnam in the near future. This is also an important preparation activity of AEON Vietnam for the opening of the new General Store & Supermarket in Hue.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Nishikawa Satoshi, Northern Regional Director of AEON Vietnam, shared the goal of the event “Accompanying and developing with local businesses”: “Next year, AEON will open its first shopping mall in the Central region in Hue next year. After that, we are also looking for some locations in Da Nang and the entire Central region. Therefore, we are looking for people who share the same mindset and can accompany us to overcome the challenges ahead”.

Mr. Nishikawa Satoshi, Northern Regional Director of AEON Vietnam shared at the event.

The program "AEON Vietnam accompanies and develops with local enterprises" in Hue welcomed the presence of the Deputy Director of Hue Department of Industry and Trade, Director of the Center for Industrial Promotion and Trade Promotion; Head of the Department of Agriculture-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Management & Department of Rural Development (Department of Agriculture) and representatives of nearly 50 local enterprises.

At the event, Mr. Hoang Ngoc Son, Deputy Director of Hue Department of Industry and Trade, said: "I hope that the results of today's meeting and exchange as well as the upcoming connection activities between AEON and Hue businesses will contribute to the development of trade and service activities in the area, increase the output of Hue businesses' products to AEON centers and supermarkets nationwide and contribute to local development."

Mr. Hoang Ngoc Son, Deputy Director of Hue Department of Industry and Trade, shared about the development potential between AEON and Thua Thien Hue province.

At the program, Mr. Hoang Ngoc Son also shared information about the retail market in Vietnam in general and in Hue in particular. He also emphasized the importance of connecting local businesses with large businesses such as AEON Vietnam.

This program has brought many opportunities for cooperation and capacity building to suppliers in Hue and neighboring provinces. At the event, businesses learned about cooperation opportunities with AEON Vietnam, including AEON's principles of action with business partners, policies/strategies for developing/exploiting suppliers in the Hue area as well as common quality standards to become a Supplier of AEON Vietnam. From this information, businesses can proactively seize opportunities to cooperate with AEON Hue in the future. Not only that, when participating in the training session, suppliers were also provided with additional information on related legal regulations such as trademarks, copyright issues, etc. This is important information to help businesses protect their intellectual property rights.

By participating in the training session, suppliers are provided with additional information on relevant legal regulations such as trademarks, copyright issues...

Since 2020, AEON Vietnam has continuously organized training courses to support its suppliers in improving production capacity and product quality. In 2022, the training program attracted 224 trainees from 115 suppliers, mainly operating in the food sector. 99% of the trainees participating in the training evaluated that the course brought many values and practical applications. In particular, the foundation training session for local businesses that have not yet become AEON Vietnam suppliers, held for the first time in Hue, also received positive feedback from the trainees.

The event is of particular interest to local businesses.

This series of training activities once again demonstrates the key focus of AEON Vietnam's Economic Sustainability Strategy, which is to build a flexible, efficient and sustainable distribution system. With this development strategy, AEON Vietnam is committed to accompanying and supporting local businesses through many activities such as supplier training and coaching, organizing Supplier Conferences, and special cooperation programs with local businesses. Through practical companion activities, AEON Vietnam aims to support local businesses in enhancing production capacity and improving product quality. At the same time, it is committed to comprehensively and wholeheartedly meeting the needs of consumers as well as contributing to promoting local socio-economic development, improving people's lives and bringing value to the community.