Spending becomes tighter towards the end of the year.

Towards the end of the year, shopping demand increases, but many families are more cautious before spending. From traditional markets to supermarkets and e-commerce platforms, consumers prioritize essential goods, compare prices, and choose products with clear origins to make sensible purchases.

Consume cautiously.

At 6 o'clock, the Saturday market in Dong Thai commune begins to bustle. The sound of motorbikes carrying vegetables still damp with night dew, the clacking of knives and cutting boards at the meat stalls, the smell of fresh fish mingling with the aroma of onions and cilantro…

Small traders sell pork at Thu Bay Market, Dong Thai commune. Photo: BAO TRAN

At the Saturday Market in Dong Thai commune, Mr. Nguyen Thai Hien, a resident of Dong Thai commune and a small trader who has been working at this market for over 10 years, nimbly chopped pork while chatting with regular customers. Mr. Hien said that the market is no longer as crowded as before, but shoppers are much more discerning. Previously, they would buy quickly and in large quantities. Now, customers ask very detailed questions: Where did the pork come from? Was it inspected? Were the vegetables sprayed with pesticides? Was the fish river fish or farmed fish?... Regular customers are very valuable now; honest selling ensures they will return. Just one dishonest transaction can cost a customer.

Since the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, many small traders selling clothes and Tet decorations have proactively imported goods to prepare for the year-end shopping season. At this time, people are starting to shop for Tet, but mostly sporadically, not in large quantities. Ms. Dao Mai Chi, a clothing trader at Thu Ba Market in An Bien commune, said: “I just imported a batch of Tet goods worth over 200 million VND. Customers are still coming to the market regularly, and purchasing power has increased compared to previous months, but not significantly. Customers are carefully examining the goods, prioritizing quality items with new and attractive designs.”

As the person in charge of managing the family's finances, Ms. Nguyen Thu Em, residing in Tay Son hamlet, An Bien commune, said that since the rice harvest season hasn't arrived yet and the family's income is still limited, grocery shopping is carefully planned. Every day, her family mainly buys essential items for meals, and only purchases items for Tet (Lunar New Year) when absolutely necessary and reasonably priced. "Before, I used to buy a lot of food near Tet. Now I buy just enough, prioritizing clean, traceable, and healthy food," Ms. Em said.

Combine multiple shopping channels

During the busy final months of the year, convenience stores and supermarkets become a familiar choice for many families, especially young people and households living in the central areas of communes and wards. In the afternoon, at the Bach Hoa Xanh convenience store in the Phi Thong commune market area, there is a steady stream of customers. According to Ms. Le Kim Khue, a factory worker residing in Phi Thong commune, she often visits supermarkets and convenience stores on weekends or after work to take advantage of shopping and look for discounts. “Shopping at supermarkets means clearly displayed prices, traceable goods, and pre-packaged items, saving time. I usually get home late from work, so I can shop quickly and easily without worrying about being overcharged. Near Tet (Lunar New Year), I choose to shop at supermarkets more often because I get more discounts and avoid the crowds,” Ms. Khue shared.

Customers choose clothes at Thu Ba Market, An Bien commune. Photo: BAO TRAN

Meanwhile, online shopping continues to be a popular choice for many consumers. Many families monitor prices, compare prices across different channels before making a purchase, and even watch live streams for entertainment while browsing. Ms. Le Thi Hong Hanh, a resident of Dong Thai commune, said that since the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, she has been regularly watching for promotions on e-commerce platforms. “I check prices for decorations, confectionery, and household goods a week in advance, comparing prices from many places before buying. Some items are tens of thousands of dong cheaper than in stores,” Ms. Hanh said.

According to many consumers, online shopping allows for more proactive spending, easier control, and the ability to split purchases into smaller amounts during promotional periods. However, for fresh produce, most still prefer going to the market or supermarket to choose items directly for peace of mind; online purchases are mainly made from reputable vendors with many positive reviews and clear return policies. "Online shopping is convenient, but I still prefer buying fresh produce in person to see it firsthand. As for sweets, dried goods, or Tet decorations, buying them online is both economical and saves me from having to go to many places," shared Ms. Hanh.

As the year draws to a close, consumer trends clearly show caution and flexibility in combining multiple shopping channels. This trend necessitates that small businesses and distribution companies continue to improve product quality, ensure transparency of origin, stabilize prices, and meet the ever-increasing demands of consumers.

BAO TRAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/cuoi-nam-chi-tieu-chat-hon-a472996.html