Small traders at Thai market are struggling amidst the wave of online shopping.

Once the busiest shopping destination in Thai Nguyen, Thai Market now sees an increasing number of closed stalls, with "for sale" signs but few inquiries from potential tenants. The quietness of this market, located in the heart of the province, clearly reflects the pressure from changing consumer habits, the rapid development of e-commerce, and the urgent need to innovate traditional business models if it wants to survive.

For many years, Thai Market has been a familiar shopping destination for many people.

Located in the heart of Phan Dinh Phung ward, less than 500 meters from Vo Nguyen Giap Square, Thai Market used to be a familiar shopping destination for the people of Thai Nguyen . One vendor recalled that in the past, during peak seasons, the market was so crowded that people had to squeeze through the rows of stalls, and during Tet (Lunar New Year), they even had to arrange additional parking on the other side of the road.

Following a major renovation between 2008 and 2010, Thai Market was transformed into a four-story building with hundreds of stalls, envisioned to become a modern local commercial center offering a diverse range of goods from food and clothing to household items.

However, the market is currently quite deserted, even on weekends and holidays. According to our reporter's observations, in many areas on the first and second floors, which are typically the most advantageous locations for business, numerous stalls are closed, covered in dust, with their roller shutters pulled shut, and being used for storage. One stall owner shared that in the past, people competed fiercely for prime locations, but now, even with price reductions, finding a tenant isn't guaranteed.

A closed kiosk is being used as a storage space.

As a result, kiosk rental and transfer prices have dropped sharply. Previously, a ground-floor kiosk cost around 17 million VND per month to rent, but now it's only about half that. Many stall owners continue to lower prices, even offering free rent for extended periods, but still struggle to find tenants.

Not only the main business area, but also the 3rd and 4th floors, which were renovated to house a supermarket, are operating at a reduced capacity. Currently, only a few signs remain, and some of the space is being used for martial arts classes or other small-scale activities.

The prolonged slump has forced many small traders to leave the market after years of dedication. Ms. Huong Thai (36 years old, from Bac Ninh province) said: Many people have returned to their hometowns or switched to working as factory workers in industrial zones because the income is more stable, and they don't have to bear the costs of rent, electricity, water, and other incidental expenses. Some have tried to switch to livestreaming sales but are facing difficulties due to technological limitations.

The decline in trading activity at Thai markets clearly reflects changes in consumer behavior. E-commerce is rapidly developing and becoming an increasingly popular shopping channel due to its convenience, diverse products, and competitive prices.

Consumers can select, pay for, and receive goods at home with just a few taps on their phones. According to Mr. Hoang Ninh, Deputy Director of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ), e-commerce is no longer just a supplementary distribution channel but is gradually becoming the main channel, with predictions that in the next few years, one out of every two goods sold will be transacted through a digital platform.

The eyewear shops at the "front" of Thai Market were also deserted.

In response to this trend, traditional markets are facing both direct competition and the need for innovation. Many localities have implemented programs to digitize traditional markets, supporting small traders in using QR codes, participating in e-commerce platforms, building online stores, and adopting modern sales methods.

Economic experts believe that traditional markets still have opportunities for development if they are reorganized properly. The key is to upgrade infrastructure, ensure environmental hygiene, guarantee transparency in the origin of goods, clearly display prices, and train traders in a civilized and professional manner. Markets that have been operating inefficiently for a long time should be studied for suitable functional transformation options.

In fact, at Thai markets, many small traders have begun to adapt by combining in-person and online sales. Besides serving regular customers and wholesalers, many are proactively posting on social media and livestreaming to find new customers.

However, the transition was not easy, especially for older small business owners who were used to traditional sales methods. Many had to rely on their children and grandchildren to help them use phones, sales software, or process online orders.

The story of Thai markets illustrates the inevitable shift in the retail market. Old business models, if slow to adapt, will become increasingly uncompetitive. Conversely, by adapting to new consumer trends, traditional markets can still find a suitable place in modern life.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202605/tieu-thuong-cho-thai-chat-vat-truc-lan-song-mua-sam-online-ff86491/