Vietnamese retail market: A US$200 billion “Gold mine” that international brands are craving for

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The Vietnamese retail market’s scale still increased by 11 billion USD

In 2020, while the global economy was hard-hit by the Covid-19 epidemic, Vietnam posted a GDP growth of 2.91 percent, among the world’s highest. Vietnam was also the only nation in ASEAN recording positive growth in 2020. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts the Vietnamese economy would quickly recover to 6.3% in 2021, VTC News reported.

The consumer sentiment has gradually been stable after a period of fighting the epidemic. Photo: VTC News

In the general picture of the strong resilience of the whole economy, the retail market is considered one of the brightest colors. According to the General Statistics Office, the retail market’s size rose by 11 billion USD although it wasn’t equal to a 12.7% increase in 2019. Experts forecast if Vietnam continues to maintain a positive growth rate, its retail market can reach 200 billion USD in the next 2 years.

Vietnam Report affirmed the market and consumer sentiment has gradually been stable after a period of fighting the epidemic. In addition, GDP per capita of 3,000 USD helps about 1 million people enter the middle class each year, building a solid premise for the recovery of consumer’s purchasing power.

This has been "proved" after social distancing orders when the number of customers visiting and shopping has been stable in the “new normal” period. The number of customers to Vincom during the last Lunar New Year was equivalent to 80% - 90% that of the previous one.

“Unlike the production relying on the global supply chain, the aviation and tourism counting on the border openness, the retail sector will surely recover faster because it serves the citizens' essential needs”, Dr. Nguyen Minh Phong, an economic expert explains.

A promising destination for the international brands

The continuing presence of major international brands is also a clear testament to the attractiveness of the Vietnamese market. The world's most valuable fashion company, Uniqlo has recently opened its 7th store in Vietnam only after 14 months of entering the nation. Mr. Tadashi Yanai, Chairman cum CEO of Fast Retailing, Uniqlo's parent company said "Vietnam has a great potential and will be one of the world's largest consumer markets".

Uniqlo stores are always preferred by Vietnamese customers after 14 months of entering the country. Photo: VTC News

Even luxurious brands with fastidious customers do not also ignore the Southeast Asian country. Last year, two high-end brands namely Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior opened their flagship stores in Hanoi.

“The fact that Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior placed their faith in Vietnam's luxurious item segment in the context of the difficult global retail marketis a really good sign which shows the country’s growth potential and long-term development”, Mr. Matthew Powell, Director of Savills Hanoi said.

Vincom Mega Mall Ocean Park becomes a new “all-in-one” destination for residents of Hanoi and the vicinity.

Not only quickly acquire the two most potential markets namely Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but the foreign brands are also eying the tier-one cities such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho, Ha Long, etc. Specifically, H&M launched two more stores in Ha Long and Can Tho, raising its store in Vietnam to 11 while having to shut down 250 stores in many countries in the world.

Before the "landing" wave of major international brands, the retail real estate market’s supply has been rapidly strengthened to meet the model of the “all-in-one” destination. The analysts predict that large-scale retail will dominate the Vietnamese market by 2030.

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