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Cambodia: Supermarkets report higher sales but anticipate no shortages
Sales have risen at the Kingdom’s biggest supermarket chain, DFL Lucky Supermarkets, as the 14-day curfew has encouraged shoppers to stock up on essentials.
Shoppers in Phnom Penh have been told to stay home since Friday, July 30. The curfew is scheduled to end next Thursday. Other cities have imposed their own restrictions to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
Fresh food markets such as Boeung Keng Kang in Phnom Penh remain open in spite of new Coronavirus cases there, but supermarkets say they are doing better business than before, because cautious customers prefer to shop in stores.
“DFI Lucky Supermarkets saw an overall increase in sales, particularly in fresh food items as customers see our stores as a safer option, compared to a wet market,” said a spokesperson who added,“When the government announced the looming alcohol ban, we did see a marginal increase in alcohol sales [until the ban took effect].”
The Cambodian unit of Hong Kong’s Dairy Farm International Holdings says it will continue to monitor the situation if the alcohol ban is lifted on Thursday as scheduled and will comply with all government guidelines. Even if the curfew is extended, or even tightened, the retailer says it isn’t worried about being unable to restock its shelves.
“We have seen a trend of customers stocking up on basic groceries over the past months, so when the government makes restriction announcements, it will generally generate higher basket sales with lower frequency as customers restrict their number of visits. Customers can be assured that DFI Lucky has adequate supplies for both essential and food items. Our offerings and supplies remain consistent as we operate one of the largest distribution centres in Phnom Penh which serves most of our stores daily” a spokesperson said.
Thun Tola, Aeon mall’s deputy manager for planning told Khmer Times, “The curfew has affected our business as well as the whole country.” He added that the company did not disclose weekly sales figures and confirmed there were no shortages of stock in Aeon supermarkets.
Commerce Ministry spokesman Penn Sovicheat said it was important for retailers and consumers to prepare for the possibility of a lockdown even if there is no government call for one yet.
“We have to prepare for the worst case scenario,” he said. “In our experience there was no panic buying, even after the February 20 incident. Large retailers like Lucky, Makro and Aeon are keeping their own stock very well. Small retailers are also getting regular supplies and the consumer trusts the retailer so they’re not going to rush to stockpile. The Ministry of Commerce has ensured there is sufficient supply from national sources to the retailer but it’s necessary to keep in mind, you have to secure your own source of supply and prepare if you have your own warehouse or stockroom,” he said.
Sovicheat says cross border trade with countries such as Thailand is continuing and there are no restrictions on travel between Phnom Penh and the provinces so there are ample supplies of fresh vegetables and meat. He said the government was prepared to step in if the capital reimposed Red Zones.
“If we face a lockdown like after the February 20 incident, the ministry will prepare to support the people by providing all the necessities like before, rice, noodles, fresh meat, vegetables and soy sauce. All would be given to people who are not able to go out due to the restrictions,” he said.
Sovicheat said there were no plans to grant government furlough payments to retail staff if they are unable to work. However, he pointed out that the government has helped garment workers and given tax breaks to the travel industry and airlines so it is willing to help financially, if necessary, although a decision would have to be made along with the Ministry of Finance and the Taxation Department.
There have been more than 80,200 Coronavirus cases in Cambodia and over 1,500 deaths. The spread of the Delta variant has raised concerns that authorities may extend curfews. Battambang imposed a 14-day curfew on Wednesday (4 August) due to the high rate of infections there.
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50911760/supermarkets-report-higher-sales-but-anticipate-no-shortages/