Traditional Retail Channels

small street vendors, market stalls, and roadside vendors.

Street Vendors, Market Stalls and Roadside Vendors

These channels still hold a significant share of Vietnam’s retail market, particularly in smaller cities and rural areas, providing residents with a wide range of daily necessities.

 It remains the primary choice for Vietnamese consumers, accounting for 52.4% of FMCG sales in 2024. Wet markets and traditional grocery stores are crucial for purchasing fresh produce and daily necessities, satisfying the “buy now, use now” habit of consumers, especially the elderly. They offer the advantages of tangible products and bargaining, but have drawbacks such as inconvenient operating hours and inconsistent product quality.

How Courtpearl can help to leverage your access to traditional Retail channels

Thoroughly investigate Vietnam’s traditional retail market. Understand consumer demand, purchase habits, and preferences, such as consumers’ preference for fresh produce and their tendency to buy on – the – spot. Analyze local competitors’ channel strategies to identify market gaps and opportunities.

Based on the research results, focusing on client’s target markets in Vietnam, considering factors such as population density, economic development level, and consumption capacity. Segment customers according to demographics, consumption levels, and shopping habits, and determine the primary and secondary target customer groups.


Look for suitable local partners, such as local wholesalers, distributors, or retailers. Local partners have a better understanding of the local market environment, business culture, and customer resources, which can help enterprises quickly integrate into the local market and expand sales channels.

Familiarize yourself with Vietnam’s relevant laws, regulations, and policies regarding retail trade, including business licensing, product quality supervision, and tax regulations. Ensure that all business activities comply with local laws and regulations to avoid legal risks.

According to the characteristics of retail markets and customer needs, select suitable products to sell. Adjust product packaging, specifications, etc. according to local consumer preferences. Formulate a reasonable pricing strategy, taking into account factors such as production costs, transportation costs, competitor prices, and local consumption levels.

Establish an efficient logistics and supply chain system to ensure the timely supply and delivery of products. Consider factors such as transportation methods, storage facilities, and inventory management to ensure product quality and freshness during the circulation process.

Develop marketing and promotion plans suitable for traditional retail markets. Use means such as in – store promotions, outdoor advertising, and word – of – mouth marketing to increase product awareness and brand influence. Participate in local traditional market fairs or festivals to increase brand exposure.

Recruit and train local sales personnel. Sales personnel should have a good understanding of products, market conditions, and customer service skills. Provide them with regular training to improve their professional quality and sales performance.

Regularly monitor the sales data, market share, and customer satisfaction of traditional retail channels. Analyze the operating performance of channels, identify problems and areas for improvement, and adjust channel strategies and operational measures in a timely manner.