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Promotions for Woman’s Day
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International Woman’s Day is just 4 days away with businesses in Ho Chi Minh City gearing up to sell their products.


Many kinds of cosmetics are on offer at supermarkets for Woman’s Day.(Photo SGGP)
Though economic difficulties have led to consumers being thrifty with their money, many companies are still preparing promotions to stimulate demand.

Similar to Valentine’s Day, the favored product is flowers. More than 10,000 roses, 300 lyly flowers and 500 orchids have been prepared by World Flower, 29 Tran Quang Dieu Street, district 3.

Nguyen Thuy Vu, manager of World Flower, said flower prices increased last year by 50-70 percent a week before the big day. Flower traders have predicted that prices will not see such big increases this year.

With the number of flowers prepared Vu said prices will be kept stable, prices will only increase by 20 percent.

At Ho Thi Ky flower market, District 10, many people have rushed to buy flowers.

Many unusual flowers have appeared and at low prices.

The ‘Happy’ flower is predicted to be popular, as are Velvet roses as they can be kept for up to two weeks.

The price of a bouquets sell, on average, for between VND30,000 – 50,000.

Supermarkets, fashion boutiques, jewelry stores and bakeries are also getting in on the act.

According to a spokesperson for Big C supermarkets, Big C has been carrying out a special promotion, ‘Beauty Fair,’ from February 19 to March 8. More than 50 famous cosmetics brands are on offer.

Customers will receive free gifts and 10 to 50 percent discounts on cosmetic products.

After 10 days of the promotion, Big C has attracted 30 percent more customers.

Saigon Co.op Mart supermarkets will give 280 pendants, made from 18 carat gold, to winners of a draw on March 8. They will also receive a lucky gold bell lucky and cookery gifts from Ajinomoto Co.

Phu Nhuan Jewelry Co. (PNJ) has prepared a collection, ‘Love Notes’, of 80 samples of gold and silver jewelry. The jewelry will satisfy a woman’s demands, a spokesperson said.

In the company’s jewelry collection, the main shape is flowers and hearts, which express love, deep gratitude and faithfulness.

Prices range from VND300,000 to VND1.5 million ($17 - $86)

Miss Ao dai Center, 21 Nguyen Trung Ngan Street, District 1, has offered 1,000 free gift vouchers for tailored Ao dai (traditional Vietnamese long dress) who buy dressmaking material in the shop.

The Center also introduced a number of unique materials samples, ranging from VND400,000 to VND500,000 per dress.

Nhut Luan Cloth Supermarket has a promotion, with 10 percent discounts and free gifts for purchases of over VND485,000 ($28).

OTC Fashion is offering 70 percent discounts on 5,000 office clothes and gala dresses in the first week of March.

Kinh Do Bakery will bring out 20 new themed cakes on March 7: ‘Thousand flowers for love,’ ‘Day for flowers,’ ‘Sweet 8-3 Day’ and ‘To my love.’

Cakes will cost from VND130,000 to VND250,000.

Businesses hope to attract more customers and improve sales for the second quarter of 2009.

By Le Mai Thi – Translated by Thanh Huong