E-commerce ‘ascends’ amid epidemic season

Department of Industry and Trade coordinates with Vietnam E-commerce Association, Lazada sales channel to organize business consultancy and support for businesses.

New business method

The Covid-19 pandemic broke out and spread easily, all food and drink shops were temporarily closed to implement the social isolation regulations under Directive 16/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister dated March 31, 2020 (from April 1 to April 15) and later to the social distancing. Small enterprises doing business in markets are more or less affected their revenue. But for them, the disease prevention is essential now. In the difficulties of the disease, online distribution channels are encouraged and many stores and food shops have taken advantage to maintain business operations.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Phong - owner of Gia Phong coffee shop on Tran Phong Sac street, ward 4, Tan An city, said that his café only served in the morning since mid-March to prevent and control Covid-19 disease and clean all tables and chairs with disinfectant in the afternoon. In addition, the café also sprayed disinfectant on the floor and the location that customers can contact. However, it has implemented  a new form of online business since April 1. Mr. Quoc Phong shared: “In late March, I did not do business online, mainly to serve customers at the shop. I "imitated" online business from many shops in Ho Chi Minh City to maintain my business, waiting until the disease ends. On the first day of doing online business, few people knew. Less than 10 customers were served on the second day. Until now, more than 30 customers have been served per day. Most of the order calls, customers will receive food after 15 minutes”.

“Vuon Nha Minh” Facility located in Binh Tay hamlet, My Binh commune, Tan Tru dstrict specializes in processing many products such as tea, cake, starch or moringa-extracted oil for women’s beauty. Mr. Pham Ngoc Anh Tuan - the owner of the establishment said that the goods are distributed mainly through supermarkets and convenience stores. In particular, after Tet, it was an opportunity for advertising, sales and trade promotion at fairs organized by many provinces and cities. At fairs and exhibitions, consumers are introduced product, try it out and decide to buy and then it becomes regular customers. However, due to the epidemic, most fairs and exhibitions were halted, he switched to online business through personal Facebook page, provincial e-commerce trading market. However, the current business only serves the old customers, can not develop new customers because they have never known the products.

Consumers can buy goods in every space via e-commerce

Being careful when buying

According to Thu Thuy - owner of Xi Pho milk tea shop in Hung Vuong street, Tan An city, people rarely go shopping in order to proactively prevent and fight epidemics, especially eating out, so sales revenue affected. However, Thu Thuy promoted online sales channels, actively introduced stores on social networks and delivered products to customers without charge. As a result, the store now not only sells milk tea, but also sells snacks and breakfast food.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quoc Phong, from difficulties, affected by the disease, he has a new sales channel. After the epidemic, surely, he not only focuses on a single sales channel at the shop but continues promoting online business. In his opinion, this market is potential, serving the needs of busy customers, who do not have enough time to shop. As expected, he will officially register for sales on Lazada and ask experts of the Department of Industry and Trade to advise on how to register and exploit the sale. Mr. Quoc Phong explained his reason for the sale on Lazada that in order to create trust with customers because this channel is reputable, most products sold must meet good quality standards, origin of goods and food safety.

According to many businesses, mainly food, now, thanks to the change in the buying trend of customers, many shops are still good although they are not as many as before. This shows that the stores have taken measures to "live" with the epidemic, maintain their business in various ways such as free shipping, promotions, discounts, etc. At the same time, the disease is occuring complicatedly, as recommended by the authorities, the shop owners ensure safety at the business establishment by forcing employees to wear face masks, disinfect hand sanitizer before and after delivery to guests and often clean furniture so that  customers have a peace of mind when shopping.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade - Chau Thi Le, it can be affirmed that the application of EC to finding markets for products and goods is one of the key solutions to improve the competitiveness of enterprises, shops, especially during a complicated disease outbreak. However, in fact, many businesses are not really interested in e-commerce, do not have much knowledge and especially do not know how to exploit the existing ecosystems of e-commerce for development. Recently, the Department has coordinated with Vietnam E-commerce Association, Lazada sales channel to organize consultancy and support e-commerce business for businesses and business establishments in the province. This is an opportunity for business units to participate and improve sales in the form of e-commerce.

According to Ms. Chau Thi Le, there are still barriers that prevent e-commerce or online business activities in particular. Because the goods are not up to standard, between the advertising product images and the actual delivery when customers are not the same, this makes buyers nervous, lack of trust and do not choose to buy online. Especially, the issue of online payment is a big barrier because it is easy to take risks. When consumers choose to buy goods via e-commerce, they should choose a sales unit with a specific address, a tax code and a form of payment after receiving goods. In particular, the buyer should keep the sales invoice for easy handling when there is a dispute./.

By Mai Huong – Translated by Duc Tam

Source: http://baolongan.vn/thuong-mai-dien-tu-len-ngoi-trong-mua-dich-a94135.html