Small and medium enterprises adapt flexibly to year-end market fluctuations

The end of the year always opens up many sales opportunities but also brings great pressure on costs and raw materials. In Thanh Hoa, small and medium enterprises enter the peak season with a cautious but flexible mindset, adjusting everything from preparing goods to managing cash flow and approaching customers. It is easy to see that they no longer wait for the market to stabilize before taking action, but proactively change to maintain a stable position in a volatile period.

Vibabo Company Limited optimizes production lines to improve supply capacity at the end of the year.

Vibabo Co., Ltd., Tan Thanh Commune, a unit specializing in the production of bamboo and rattan products, this year no longer pursues the goal of receiving as many orders as before, but focuses on optimizing operations. Due to the rapid changes in raw bamboo and rattan prices and transportation costs, the company divides each production batch into small batches, controls inventory by week to avoid capital stagnation and maintain a stable production rhythm. Mr. Le Xuan Lam, director of the company, said: "The biggest goal in the final stage of the year is flexibility. Raw materials fluctuate constantly, so we choose to rotate quickly. Only deploy the batch that is sure and has a clear output. This both avoids risks and maintains stability for bamboo and rattan suppliers in the area."

In parallel with streamlining the process, Vibabo also tested many new designs to serve the year-end consumption season, especially environmentally friendly products such as reusable bamboo cup and box sets, and household items made from bamboo treated to be mold-proof and waterproof. The company also tightened technical standards, applying an improved drying and heat treatment system to limit warping when the weather turns cold. These seemingly small adjustments make a big difference, helping Vibabo products maintain stable quality even when having to deliver more frequently.

In Thuong Ninh commune, Thanh Phat macadamia cooperative is also operating in a similar spirit. Instead of warehousing large quantities of nuts and raw materials like previous years to prepare for the year-end consumption season, the cooperative divides it into many small storage batches, closely following fluctuations in agricultural product prices and dealer demand. All plans are calculated weekly, both reducing storage costs and maintaining flexible cash flow. Ms. Pham Thi Thu, deputy director of the cooperative, said: "Raw material prices fluctuate rapidly at the end of the year, just "holding" goods at the wrong time can easily cause capital to stagnate. The cooperative chooses to rotate continuously, only importing certain batches, so it is more proactive and not dependent on the market." At the same time, the cooperative promotes online sales, creates product introduction content, and livestreams at fixed times to maintain connection with retail customers. Thanks to this approach, consumption remains steady even when the market slows down because people have to consider their year-end spending.

Meanwhile, AZ Electrical Engineering Elevator Co., Ltd. has demonstrated its flexibility in its own way in the technical equipment industry. Instead of massively expanding its scale, the company prioritizes receiving orders with fast payment cycles, both ensuring cash flow and reducing inventory risks when material prices and shipping costs fluctuate. At the same time, the company strengthens its links with local contractors, building a compact, closed supply chain, ensuring equipment is delivered on schedule and with quality. Mr. Nguyen Minh Hoa, Head of Sales Department, shared: "The peak season at the end of the year always has many variables. If we are not proactive in cash flow and coordination with partners, the company is likely to face risks. We choose the strategy of "small but sure", both ensuring customers and stabilizing production activities." Thanks to this adaptation, the company has maintained its production rhythm and maintained its reputation in the market during a period of high demand and intense competition.

Products of Thanh Phat Macadamia Cooperative, Thuong Ninh Commune, were displayed at the fair - demonstrating the business's quick adaptation strategy at the end of the year.

What makes the year-end picture of small and medium enterprises in Thanh Hoa more vivid is the way they manage risks. Unlike before when most of them reacted according to the situation, this year many units apply demand forecasting based on weekly sales data, continuously updated to adjust the quantity of goods and selling prices accordingly. Others sign more flexible contracts with suppliers, can increase or decrease the volume in batches, avoiding dependence on a fixed source of goods. These changes seem small but help businesses significantly reduce the risk of broken orders and limit the passive situation when the market fluctuates unexpectedly.

Of course, difficulties remain. Working capital continues to be the biggest concern. Commercial loan interest rates fluctuate between 6.5 and 8.5% per year, forcing many businesses to calculate very carefully before importing goods or expanding production for the peak season. Some businesses have proposed a priority credit package for goods serving Tet and essential consumption, helping them have the motivation to maintain production when costs are rising too quickly. Support for e-commerce training, traceability and demand forecasting tools is also expected by many businesses, because digital transformation is no longer an option, but the only way to retain customers in the context of seasonal changes in consumer behavior.

Looking more broadly, this year-end season shows the clear maturity of small and medium-sized enterprises. They no longer wait for the market to “breathe” before taking action, but proactively take the initiative. In a volatile market, flexibility not only helps businesses get through the peak weeks at the end of the year, but also creates a solid foundation for 2026 - a period that is forecast to continue to be competitive but also opens up opportunities for units that know how to adjust their business rhythm at the right time.

Article and photos: Chi Pham

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/doanh-nghiep-nho-va-vua-thich-ung-linh-hoat-nbsp-truoc-bien-dong-thi-truong-cuoi-nam-270652.htm