Shoppers select goods at a local supermarket. (Photo: VNA)The figure was the highest since January 2019.
The recovery was due to the city’s socio-economic recovery and developmentprogramme, preferential loan policies, improved investment environment, and thespeeding up of digital transformation this year.
Most sectors recorded growth but the strong rebound in May retail saleshighlighted the recovery in production and commerce in the city, Bui Ta Hoang Vu,director of the department, said.
Demand remains weak compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, with most spendingbeing on essential goods, putting pressure on businesses to cut costs to reduceor maintain prices, he said at a press meeting held on June 9.
“The city will continue to help businesses access capital to stabiliseproduction.”
Retail sales in the first five months of the year were worth 275.96 trillion VND(11.92 billion USD), up 8.1 percent year-on-year.
Sales of food and foodstuffs increased by 14.2 percent over the year, and thoseof cultural and educational products by 14.9 percent, and wood products andconstruction materials by 8.5 percent.
Promotion programme
The city Department of Industry and Trade will organise the 2022 ShoppingSeason in summer as usual, starting on June 15, to bolster demand and fostereconomic recovery.
It would feature discounts of more than 50 percent.
Along with large distribution systems and e-commerce businesses, nearly 200traditional markets will participate this year.
The second promotional month will be held from mid-November to mid-Decemberduring the year-end shopping season./.
VNA
