Changing consumer demands: Small business owners seek ways to adapt.

Consumer demand is changing, while the number of vendors is constantly increasing, making it difficult for many small traders and household businesses in the province to operate. However, by persistently maintaining credibility, ensuring quality, and offering reasonable prices, many have still managed to build their brands and establish a foothold thanks to customer trust.

Due to budget constraints, fruits are not a priority for many families in their daily shopping baskets.

This year, many farmers and small traders share the same opinion: family finances are more difficult than before. Ms. Vu Thi Hai, a tea grower in Dai Tu commune, said: "At the beginning of the year, chicken prices were low, then African swine fever broke out in the middle of the year, and tea crops suffered from drought, resulting in reduced yields and lower incomes for farmers, forcing them to carefully budget their expenses."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc, from Phan Dinh Phung ward, shared: "After the province was merged, I quit my job and received unemployment benefits. Almost all of our family's expenses depend on my husband's civil servant salary. Therefore, we have to save as much as possible."

Reduced income has forced changes in the consumption habits of many families. People prioritize essential goods and minimize unnecessary expenses, leading to sluggish market demand and directly impacting many industries.

At local markets, the sight of unsold goods seems to have become commonplace. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien, a vegetable and fruit vendor at Khu Nam market in Gia Sang ward, said: "Before, I sold many kinds of goods, but now I only sell vegetables and fresh flowers on the 15th and 1st of the lunar month. My customers are mainly factory workers and retirees with low incomes, while prices are getting higher and higher, so purchasing power has decreased sharply."

Another reason, according to Ms. Hien, is the rapid increase in the number of vendors. Compared to five years ago, the number of stalls has almost doubled, with many people taking advantage of the opportunity to "go to the market" to earn extra income. Meanwhile, customers with higher incomes have switched to supermarkets or online shopping, making what was already difficult even harder to do business.

In a similar situation, Ms. Nguyen Thi H., a small business owner selling clothes at Doc Hanh Market, Tich Luong Ward, shared: "Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people's spending habits have changed significantly. For people with average incomes, most prioritize essential expenses, while drastically cutting back on clothes and shoes. Meanwhile, the cost of renting land, storing goods, and electricity is about 2 million VND per month. The capital required for each stall, even at an average level like mine, has reached 500-600 million VND. I've been doing this for almost 30 years, and sometimes I just want to quit, but I don't know what else to do, so I'm still holding on to provide for my children's education."

Most vendors at traditional markets in the province today are middle-aged or elderly, and have been involved in this work for many years.

The market is now mainly frequented by middle-aged and elderly people; few young people dare to follow suit because of the hard work and unstable income. Observing the fabric, clothing, and shoe sections, even during the busiest times of the day, there are only a few people scattered around, and many stalls are empty. Not only clothing, but also fruits, vegetables, food, and household goods are experiencing a lack of customers.

Not only traditional markets, but also small shops and online businesses are facing fierce competition; with no increase in customers, small traders are forced to find many ways to survive.

Despite the overall difficulties, many people have found their own way forward. Ms. Nguyen Thi Linh, owner of a cosmetics store on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, said: "I only sell products with clear origins, and I keep the profit margin low to retain customers in the long term. From a small online business, I now have a store with 10 employees who handle direct sales, order processing, packaging, and delivery. The secret is genuine products, reasonable prices, sincere advice, and dedicated customer care."

A fish noodle soup restaurant in Tich Luong ward, owned by Mr. Thanh, is another prime example. Despite the emergence of many new eateries in the area, his restaurant has maintained a steady stream of customers for many years, thanks to its clean, delicious food, reasonable prices, and enthusiastic service. "It's not particularly unique, but customers feel very secure because my whole family eats from the same broth as our customers almost every day," Mr. Thanh shared.

The owner of Hung Trang grocery store in Pho Yen ward also retains customers through reputation. Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang said: "The prices may not be the cheapest, but reputation must come first. When goods are scarce, I never raise prices unreasonably. If customers need to exchange or return items, I always assist them."

It's safe to say that, in today's competitive market with countless sellers and buyers, business has never been as challenging and difficult as it is now. However, if you maintain integrity, prioritize quality, and offer excellent customer service, opportunities for survival and growth will always exist.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202509/nhu-cau-tieu-dung-thay-doitieu-thuong-tim-cach-thich-ung-e786061/