At noon, Mr. Tam (45 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City) did not rest but diligently checked books and learned about many new painting samples. Seeing a guest entering, Mr. Tam immediately stood up and eagerly welcomed them. With a little hope, he was “happy” because he thought he would sell at least one painting today.
But the merchant’s face immediately showed disappointment because the customer only Ask about the price, but don’t… pay money yet.
Unfortunately, the revenue is tens of millions of dong/month
Mr. Tam is a small businessman business in the neighborhood specializing in selling picture frames on the street Tran Phu (District 5, Ho Chi Minh City) for more than 13 years. Up to now, Mr. Tam has to say: “I have never seen a difficult situation like this.”
Last year, Mr. Tam’s store’s revenue began to increase. The beginning of the year dropped. It was thought that the store would do well in the new year, but in the first 3 months of 2024, Mr. Tam said things were even worse.
“Sometimes I can’t sell a painting for 5 days.” . Familiarity gradually… fades away,” Mr. Tam said bitterly.
Previously, revenue was 2-3 million VND/day and selling a painting for tens of millions of VND was normal.< /p>
But now sometimes Mr. Tam can’t sell a painting for 5 days. Customers who buy it only aim for a price of a few hundred thousand dong. Every month he has to spend money out of his own pocket to cover the loss I hope to “save” the business.
“The store is the “bread and butter” of the whole family, so I’m very afraid of closing the store. My family now has to eat more economically and I don’t dare hire workers to do it all by myself,” Mr. Tam said sadly.
According to Mr. Tam, the reason for the sluggishness is due to the general economic situation. With difficulties, people are “tightening their belts”.
“My customers are mainly visitors who come to buy as gifts or to display when they have just built and renovated a new house. Now that the economy is difficult, people don’t have money to buy or repair houses anymore, so my business is also affected,” Mr. Tam shared.
Furthermore, in other provinces, many similar stores are “growing” more and more. Since then, distant acquaintances have gradually… disappeared and no longer buy wholesale products from Mr. Tam’s shop.
The owner of the art shop said that customers who buy paintings are often quite picky and have to come see and touch them in person. Only then will you be able to get money. Therefore, it is very difficult for him to post paintings online to sell online.
Employees are fired and take pay cuts
Mr. Luong (27 years old), an employee of a painting shop on Tran Phu Street, confided that he was hired as a painter and in charge of sales consulting. For each finished product, he is entitled to 30% of the value of the painting.
However, the store’s sluggish business has caused his income to decrease. Because there are no customers, the number of paintings he paints is limited.
Not far away, Ms. Thao’s shop (40 years old) is also in a gloomy situation due to lack of customers.
Pointing to the row of houses opposite the cottage Traders said that this street used to be a busy place to buy and sell framed paintings with a series of shops “growing” close together. But now every 2-3 houses, there is a painting shop with a sign that has transferred its premises or is closed and vacant.
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