More local players are shaking hands with foreign companies to develop their retail arm in Vietnam, especially through the M&A channel.

The race for domestic retail market share was heating up as local and foreign firms looked to expand their networks, experts said.

Under the management of Masan, hundreds of VinMart+ convenience stores will be closed this year.

Convenience stores in Hanoi have become ideal heat shelters for many young people amid the blazing hot weather.

With people wanting to stay at home amid the COVID-19 outbreak, apps like Be and Grab are piloting new services in Ho Chi Minh City to help them buy more and more things without leaving home.

Large retailers and convenience stores in Thailand have pledged to stop giving plastic bags to customers from next year to reduce plastic waste, the country’s environment minister announced.

Mobile vending vans that sell food early in the morning and groceries that provide vegetables and fruits have joined the retail market and become rivals of convenience stores.

In contrast to expectations, owners of many foreign convenience stores in Vietnam may not be able to meet their ambitious targets in carving a firm niche in the domestic market, due in part to fierce competition from the biggest players. 

As consumer demand for convenience soars across Southeast Asia, Vietnam saw strong growth of 13 per cent in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sales growth in convenience stores in the past year.

VietNamNet Bridge - With average annual growth rate of 10 percent and revenue of $150 billion in 2018, the Vietnamese retail market is full of potential, especially for convenience stores.

VietNamNet Bridge - The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) is drafting a government decree on the development and management of the distribution sector.

Having products retailed at foreign distribution chains is a good way to bring Vietnamese goods to the world market. But domestic companies still find it difficult to do. 

Retailers have been warned that they cannot expect to take back investment capital in convenience stores soon as the competition is fierce and the number of stores is still on the rise.

VietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnamese retail market, which is promising and lucrative, has its problems, as many retail giants have gained big success in other markets, but not in Vietnam.

VietNamNet Bridge - The growth rate of convenience store chains is now much higher than that of supermarkets and other retail channels.

VietNamNet Bridge - Convenience store chains which have been expanded in Vietnam will serve as the important channel for Japanese manufacturers.

Convenience store and minimart investors are looking to expand their coverage in Vietnam's fast-growing market.

VietNamNet Bridge - 7-Eleven’s plan to open its first convenience store in Vietnam by 2017 has not been welcomed by small Vietnamese retailers.

VietNamNet Bridge - Retailers have been opening up more convenience stores to attract youth and students.