Confusing self-proclaimed supermarket

Tuyet Thao phone store on Dien Bien Phu street (Hai Duong city) specializes in buying and selling mobile phones and phone accessories. The store area is less than 100 m², not qualified to be named a supermarket but this facility still put up a sign "phone supermarket".

Similarly, a phone store on Tran Phu Street, Nam Sach Town, is also named "Khoai Trang Phone Supermarket" even though its area is less than 250 m2.².

A store in Hong Phong commune (Nam Sach) hangs a sign calling itself "HaLa supermarket" even though it does not meet the standards.

Currently, the situation of self-proclaimed supermarkets still occurs in many localities. Even though the retail stores are small, not large enough in scale and lack the level of business organization, the owners still hang up supermarket signs.

Naming supermarkets to attract customers can easily cause confusion for consumers and affect the reputation of supermarkets according to regulations.

According to Decision No. 1371/2004/QD-BTM dated September 24, 2004 of the Ministry of Trade (now the Ministry of Industry and Trade) on promulgating regulations on supermarkets and commercial centers, which are still in effect, a supermarket is a type of modern store, general or specialized; has a rich and diverse product structure, ensuring quality; meets standards on business area, technical equipment and management level, business organization.

Accordingly, the standard for being called a supermarket and classified as a supermarket must have an area of ​​250 m²to over 5,000 m²; business list from 4,000 to 20,000 product names or more. The architectural works are solidly built, with design and technical equipment to ensure fire prevention, fire fighting, environmental sanitation, safety and convenience for customers; there is a place to park vehicles and a toilet area for customers suitable for the business scale of the supermarket. There are warehouses and technical equipment for preservation, packaging, sales, payment and modern business management. Organize and arrange goods by product line and product group in a civilized and scientific manner to serve customers in choosing, shopping and paying conveniently and quickly. There is a place to store personal luggage, there are services for the disabled, and home delivery.

According to Point a, Clause 1, Article 78 of Decree 98/2020/ND-CP stipulating penalties for violations of regulations on market management, supermarket and trade center business, the act of naming a business establishment as a supermarket, trade center or equivalent words in a foreign language without ensuring the prescribed standards shall be fined from 5 to 10 million VND.