Some customers have taken undue advantage of its price stabilization program to buy large volumes of goods and resell them at higher prices, leading supermarket chain Saigon Co.op says.
The Saigon Union of Trading Cooperatives said the unethical hoarding has resulted in frequent shortages of some goods, especially chicken eggs. To deal with the problem, it has had to set limits for the number of eggs each customer can buy at a time.
Similarly, supermarket chain MM Mega Market has set a maximum limit of 30 eggs per customer.
Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, vice director of the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade, told reporters Monday that over the past few days, prices at supermarkets and convenience stores have been fairly stable, but some individuals have bought groceries in large volumes for stocking and alleged reselling.
Relevant organizations have talked to the individuals about the hoarding, and if they continue their unfair practice, market management agencies would handle the issue, he said.
According to Saigon Co.op, prices of vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, milk, and rice in its supermarkets have remained unchanged, though those in the markets outside increased sharply.
Regarding goods orders placed online, Saigon Co.op has delivered over 70 percent, and it is speeding up delivery.
HCMC imposed its second 15-day citywide social distancing order starting last Friday as the current epicenter seeks to curb the spread of Covid-19.