Developing civilized and modern commercial infrastructure

In recent years, the commercial infrastructure of our province has developed towards civilization and modernity, promoting the retail system, well meeting the consumption and exchange needs of the people.

Vincom Plaza Son La supermarket serves well the consumer needs of the people.

Currently, the province has 91 traditional markets in operation; of which, the central market and 7/11 market in the city have implemented the 4.0 market model - supporting traders and customers to make transactions such as transferring, depositing, withdrawing money and buying and selling online, without using cash. In addition, the e-commerce infrastructure is gradually developing, 100% of supermarkets and shopping centers have cashless payment devices - POS.

In addition, the living standards of the people have been improved, the demand for shopping at supermarkets, shopping malls, and convenience stores has been increasing. Up to now, the whole province has 1 shopping mall, 4 supermarkets, and specialized stores and supermarkets, such as: 28 Mobile World and Dien May Xanh stores; 5 FPT shops; 6 Mediamart stores; 16 Winmart brand convenience store chains and thousands of agents, franchises, stores, wholesalers, and retailers in 12 districts and cities, meeting the consumption needs of the people.

In Son La city, in recent years, many projects for planning new urban areas, markets and commercial centers have been formed. In addition to the traditional market system, the city currently has 1 class III commercial center, 1 general supermarket, along with a chain of electronics and telephone supermarkets and mini supermarkets, with a full range of diverse and rich products, quality of business services to meet the increasing needs of consumers. With outstanding advantages in terms of shopping space, payment convenience, especially the clear origin of goods, commercial centers, supermarkets, mini marts, are becoming the choice of the majority of people.

People shopping at Vincom Plaza Son La supermarket.

Ms. Lo Thi Huyen, Group 14, Quyet Thang Ward, shared: My family often goes shopping at Vincom Plaza Son La supermarket, or D&T Plaza Trade and Service Center, because this place is very convenient, both for shopping and for children to play and entertain... Moreover, the goods here have clear origin, diverse, listed prices and attractive promotions, shopping here does not necessarily require bringing cash, just transfer money via phone, swipe card to pay easily.

Ms. Do Thi Bich Chau, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said: The development of commercial infrastructure has been making an important contribution to changing the urban landscape, meeting people's consumption needs with a variety of goods, ensuring quality and modern, civilized service methods, helping to promote the growth of the trade sector. In 2023, the total retail sales of goods reached 30,800 billion VND, an increase of 13.6% over the same period last year.

In reality, shopping malls, supermarkets, and convenience stores are unevenly distributed, mainly concentrated in urban and town areas. Many markets, after coming into operation, have not attracted small traders to do business and trade.

With the goal of developing commercial infrastructure commensurate with its potential and advantages, our province is continuing to build mechanisms and policies, creating a favorable environment to promote investment attraction and consolidate commercial infrastructure. Strengthen management, improve the quality of operations; encourage the expansion of the network of markets, supermarkets, shopping centers, mini-supermarket chains, convenience stores, gas stations, prioritize resources to invest in developing civilized and modern commercial services, striving to bring the total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in 2024 to VND 33,800 billion, an increase of 9.7% compared to 2023.

Article and photos: Thuy Ngan

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