Soc Trang trade and services continue to develop before the province's merger

STO - Recently, people and businesses have been worried that the merger of provinces will affect the growth of trade and services. However, in reality, this activity is still stable and on a positive growth path, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development goals of Soc Trang province in 2025.

A representative of Anh Quang Plaza Trade Center said that the merger of the province did not affect the center's business operations, as the number of customers increased and sales increased slightly by about 10 - 15% compared to the same period.

Mr. Lu Cong Minh - a children's toy business in Soc Trang city happily shared that even if the province is merged, the number of customers will still be stable, because people consume according to the area and people in this area cannot drive dozens of kilometers to buy goods for use. Therefore, the buying and selling and trading activities of goods will not be affected by the policy of merging the province.

With the goal of competing with traditional markets, the Bach Hoa Xanh chain of stores in Soc Trang province has constantly improved service quality such as operating hours, product diversity, and regularly implemented promotional programs and discounts to attract customers. Thanks to that, revenue at these stores has continuously increased. "Since the beginning of the year, the unit has opened many more Bach Hoa Xanh stores, mainly concentrated in Soc Trang city and densely populated areas, bringing the total number of Bach Hoa Xanh stores in the province to 47 stores. The new stores are gradually stabilizing, with a certain number of customers, and revenue is expected to continue to improve in the coming time," said the representative in charge of Bach Hoa Xanh stores in Soc Trang.

People shop at a supermarket in Soc Trang province. Photo: HOANG LAN

Business activities at enterprises and business households are realistic because, in accordance with the assessment of the Soc Trang Provincial Statistics Office, the province's trade and service sector continued to develop in May 2025, people's demand for shopping and consumption of goods increased, contributing to the total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue increasing compared to the previous month and the same period last year.

Also according to the statistics of Soc Trang Provincial Statistics Office, the total retail sales of goods and service revenue in May 2025 is estimated at VND 10,869.2 billion, up 2.15% over the previous month (of which, retail sales of goods increased by 1.86%, accommodation, food and beverage, travel and tourism services increased by 2.32%, other services increased by 3.13%). Due to the increased demand for consumption, travel, transportation, as well as shopping for goods in the area compared to the previous month, it is a factor contributing to the growth of the province... Compared to the same period last year, the total retail sales of goods and service revenue increased by 22.93% (of which, retail sales of goods increased by 25.03%; accommodation, food and beverage, travel and tourism services increased by 21.94%; other services increased by 16.20%).

If calculated in the first 5 months of 2025, the total retail sales of goods and service revenue is estimated at VND 52,012.2 billion, up 23.03% over the same period (of which, retail sales of goods increased by 25.59%, accommodation, catering, tourism and travel services increased by 19.84%, other services increased by 17.34%). Specifically, the total retail sales of goods in the first 5 months of 2025 is estimated at VND 32,996.5 billion, up 25.59% over the same period. Retail sales of goods in the first 5 months of 2025 increased mainly in sales of some food and foodstuff items; household appliances and utensils; wood and construction materials; gasoline and precious stones and metals. Revenue from accommodation, catering, and travel services: estimated at VND 11,274 billion in the first 5 months of 2025, up 19.84% over the same period (of which, accommodation services are VND 111 billion; catering services are VND 11,146.6 billion; travel and travel are VND 16.4 billion). Revenue from other service activities, estimated at VND 7,741.5 billion in the first 5 months of 2025, up 17.34% over the same period. Among the product groups, the real estate business service group increased by 5.34%, the administrative and support service group increased by 8.69%; theeducation and training service group increased by 32.19%; the medical service group and social assistance activities increased by 20.27%; the arts, entertainment and recreation group increased by 18.45%; and the other service group increased by 7.07%.

The fact that the functional sectors focus on inspecting and controlling the commodity market will create stronger consumer confidence in the coming time. Illustration photo: HOANG LAN

In addition, in the past time, the province focused on directing the implementation of tasks and solutions to promote production and business activities from the beginning of 2025. Thereby, the industrial production situation, production and business activities in May 2025 continued to grow compared to the same period in 2024. The industrial production index in May 2025 is estimated to increase by 31.13% over the previous month, up 19.53% over the same period in 2024, of which the processing and manufacturing industry increased by 20.48% over the same period. In the first 5 months of 2025, the industrial production index is estimated to increase by 7% over the same period, of which the processing and manufacturing industry increased by 7.55% over the same period.

It can be said that the positive results of trade - service and industrial activities not only create short-term growth momentum but also contribute to strengthening the foundation for sustainable development for the locality. In particular, with the drastic participation of functional sectors in market inspection and control, especially food products, modern medicines, functional foods and other essential goods with high risk of fraud... to protect the rights of consumers and legitimate businesses. It is believed that in the coming time, people will feel more secure in shopping and using services for their lives, this will contribute to promoting trade - service activities to continue to develop strongly after the merger of Can Tho, Soc Trang and Hau Giang cities.

HOANG LAN

Source: https://baosoctrang.org.vn/thuong-mai-dich-vu/202506/thuong-mai-dich-vu-soc-trang-tiep-tuc-phat-trien-truoc-them-sap-nhap-tinh-9913d2b/