Fruits, beverage consumption up 50 pct ahead of New Year

The consumption of fruits, confectionary, food and beverage has seen a significant rise of 30 to 50 percent in recent days, said the shop owners in Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City.

Shopping at the supermarkets in HCMC before the Christmas Eve also surged.

Nguyen Huu Tuan, an administrator of Citimart Chu Van An, said the consumption of goods on Christmas Eve increased by 20 percent, raising its revenue to VND500 million (US$25,564) per day.

Certain types of meat, such as fried chicken, chicken balls, and smoked pork, are especially in high demands during these days. The sales of such products were boosted by as much as 40% at the Co.op Mart chain stores.

The recent sharp rises in demands for consumer goods have caused noticeable price hikes in some products. The price of Heineken beer, for example, has gone up by VND30,000 ($1.5) for a 24 pack to VND360,000 ($18,47).

Some shop owners in Phu Nhuan District said they have just been notified by suppliers that the prices of most soft drinks will increase by VND10,000 (51 cents) per carton.