Bac Ninh: Expanding modern retail system in rural areas

BAC NINH - Recently, modern retail channels such as supermarkets, convenience stores and specialized store chains are expanding to rural areas in Bac Ninh province. This development not only meets the increasing shopping needs of people but also contributes to promoting local trade and services in a civilized and modern direction.

Market diversity

Identifying rural areas as a potential market, Truong Giang Investment Limited Liability Company (Chau Khe Ward) in addition to maintaining Truong Giang supermarket in Chau Khe Ward has also invested in 2 more convenience stores in Yen Trung Commune. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Company, said: “Yen Trung has a large number of workers renting accommodation, a large demand for goods consumption but does not have a modern business facility, so in 2022 the Company decided to rent land to open a store. To attract customers, the store sells a variety of products, focusing on essential consumer goods at affordable prices and integrating convenient payment methods. Arrange staff to be ready to advise and introduce products when customers have a need... Initial surveys show that this business model is satisfying people in rural areas and increasing revenue for the Company". Similarly, Bac Ninh Trade Services Limited Liability Company (Hap Linh Ward) not only built commercial centers in the wards but also expanded to communes such as Gia Binh and Tan Chi.

Customers choose to buy products at Dabaco Supermarket (Tan Chi commune).

Many small businesses have also boldly invested in upgrading and expanding their sales scale. A typical example is Van Xo (Chu Ward) which invested nearly 10 billion VND to upgrade from a grocery store to a supermarket. Currently, the supermarket has 6,000 items, with an average monthly revenue of about 600 million VND, nearly 10 times higher than before.

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, in recent years, the modern retail model has tended to develop strongly in rural areas. Although there are no detailed statistics for each store, it can be seen that there are more and more big brands such as WinMart+, Co.opmart, specialized stores such as Dien May Xanh,FPT Shop... in rural areas. The purchasing power at these stores has increased, which is an important driving force for investors to continue expanding their retail chains to rural areas in the coming years.

Replicating civilized business models

The development of modern retail systems in rural areas brings many practical benefits. With supermarket chains and convenience stores such as Dabaco, WinMart+, Con Cung, Dien May Xanh... people have access to a variety of goods, quality, and clear origin. With flexible opening hours, customers can find most essential items in one location, instead of having to move through many different markets or stores. Clean shopping spaces along with convenient services... have changed consumer habits, improving people's quality of life.

These models also bring significant economic benefits, creating more jobs for local workers. At the same time, healthy competition between distribution channels also contributes to price stabilization. Ms. Ha Thi Nhu Quynh, who is choosing to buy goods at Dabaco Supermarket (Tan Chi Commune), said: "Previously, to shop at the supermarket, I had to travel more than ten kilometers to wards such as Kinh Bac and Tu Son. Now, I can buy the necessary items just a few hundred meters from my house. The environment is civilized, the goods are guaranteed, and the prices are publicly listed, so I have switched to shopping here instead of the traditional market."

However, the development process still faces many difficulties and challenges. First of all, fierce competition from traditional retail channels such as markets and grocery stores still dominate thanks to low costs, flexible prices and people's shopping habits. In addition, the strong development of e-commerce also creates more competitive pressure.

To effectively develop a modern retail system in rural areas, businesses need to carefully research the market to develop suitable retail models such as mini supermarkets, convenience stores, especially in densely populated areas, near industrial parks and clusters; commit to selling at stable prices, organizing promotional programs to stimulate shopping. In particular, it is necessary to pay attention to combining the introduction of agricultural products, OCOP products, industrial products, and local handicrafts for sale.

The representative of the Department of Industry and Trade informed that the Department will deploy a number of key solutions to build and expand the modern retail system in rural areas such as: Consulting with the province to build and implement preferential policies to attract organizations and individuals to invest in building modern retail models in rural areas; developing sustainable supply chains; training and improving modern management and business capacity for individual business households and grocery store owners in rural areas. Instructing them on how to apply technology in sales, warehouse management and access to e-commerce channels... The goal is to transform traditional stores into civilized and professional points of sale.

Article and photos: Thanh Ngan

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/bac-ninh-mo-rong-he-thong-ban-le-hien-dai-tai-nong-thon-postid427133.bbg