Seizing the fast-growing

retail opportunity
in Vietnam
September 2019
2 Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam
Contents

Executive summary
Vietnam’s promising macroeconomic outlook 4
Vietnam’s fast-growing retail market 4
Seizing the opportunity: How to succeed in Vietnam retail 5

1. Vietnam’s promising macroeconomic outlook

Vietnam’s positive macroeconomic indicators 6
Vietnam’s evolution as an attractive destination for foreign investors 9

2. Vietnam’s fast-growing retail market

A fast-growing retail market in the region 10
Modern trade penetration: Potential for growth 11
E-commerce penetration on the rise 14
Key trends to watch: Focus on brands, shift to modern retail formats,
15
consolidation of key players

3. Seizing the opportunity: How to succeed in Vietnam retail

Network and scale 17
Compelling value propositions 17
Strong business enablers 18
Strong brand equity 18
Local knowledge
18
Innovation and omnichannel platforms
18

Bibliography 21

Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam 3

 Executive summary

Asian emerging economies are growing two to three times faster than developed economies—
and Vietnam is one of the region’s great success stories. The country’s political stability,
recent economic transformation, and growing middle class create an attractive business
environment. The buoyant retail sector reflects these strong fundamentals and
offers exciting growth opportunities for both regional and global companies.
This report shines a spotlight on the retail opportunity in Vietnam, first by taking a broader
view of the country’s macroeconomic outlook and then by examining key growth trends in the
retail market itself. Finally, the report offers insight into how companies can translate the retail
opportunity into profitable, sustainable enterprises.

Vietnam’s promising macroeconomic outlook

Vietnam is a strong contender for business investment when considered alongside other
major Southeast Asian economies such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Vietnam outperforms many of these economies on key macroeconomic indicators. It ranks

second highest for forecast GDP growth, with a 6.5 percent compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) per year, and has the fastest middle-class growth, forecast at 9.2 percent CAGR up
to 2023. Vietnam’s private consumption rate of 68 percent of GDP is the second highest
in the region. Although Vietnam ranks last among these Southeast Asian economies on
urbanization, there is considerable future growth potential.

In terms of business fundamentals, Vietnam outperforms comparable Southeast Asian

economies, ranking highest in the region in three out of the four indicators measured. It leads
the region in foreign direct investment (FDI) as a percentage of GDP, at 6.3 percent, and it
is ranked highest for political stability and second for logistics competence. Out of the five
countries, Vietnam ranks third on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index.

Finally, the rise in foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam is a further indicator of the
country’s attractiveness to business. FDI has grown significantly over the past decade and
exceeded $19 billion in 2018. 1

Vietnam’s fast-growing retail market

Vietnam’s retail sector is the fastest growing in Southeast Asia and is poised for rapid
modernization. The overall retail market is currently worth $108 billion in annual revenues, a
figure that is forecast to increase at a 7.3 percent CAGR over the next five years. Groceries
and consumer electronics are the largest segments of the retail market, at 44 percent and 17
percent, respectively. 2

In consumer electronics, leading players have already driven rapid modernization of the
segment. However, in the larger grocery segment, Vietnam’s modern trade penetration,
at 8 percent in 2018, is low compared with that of other Southeast Asian countries.3 This
is expected to increase to 26 percent by 2025, as the groceries market is on the verge of
significant modernization. If it follows the S-curve of comparable Southeast Asian countries,
the modern groceries market is expected to grow from the current $4 billion to $20 billion by
2025.

1 Viet Nam Foreign Direct Investment, Trading Economics, 2018, tradingeconomics.com.

2 Market sizes: Retailing in Vietnam, Euromonitor International, 2018.
3 Modern Grocery Retailers data, Euromonitor International, 2018; World Development Indicator, World Bank, databank.
worldbank.org.

4 Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam

Overall, Vietnam’s e-commerce penetration is still low, at only 3 percent of total retail sales,
but this is expected to rapidly increase in the next five years and show significant growth in
the long term.4 The drivers of this growth include Vietnam’s young population and its high
smartphone penetration—which today stands at over 80 percent of the population that is over
15 years of age.5 The e-commerce sector is still in its early days, and key factors for success in
this area include overcoming logistics challenges, especially last-mile delivery, managing the
high rate of cash payments, and building consumer trust.

To succeed in Vietnam’s retail market, companies will need to embrace three key trends. First,
consumers are increasingly loyal to brands—especially local brands. Second, they prefer
modern retail formats, as is evident from the rapid growth of such formats. And third, a wave of
consolidation is under way across the sector.

These trends are already increasing the competitive intensity of the retail sector, particularly
in groceries. In addition to large domestic and international players with an established
footing in Vietnam, new competitors have entered the market in the past five years and
embarked on a wave of acquisitions and new store openings.

Seizing the opportunity: how to succeed in vietnam retail

McKinsey’s observations of high-performing retailers across the region point to six key
success factors common across retail winners. To reach Vietnam’s consumers and win their
loyalty in an increasingly competitive marketplace, it is necessary for retailers to invest in
building scale across a broad network. Shaping compelling value propositions and honing
attractive, trustworthy brands are also important, as is driving innovation across omnichannel
platforms. All these should be backed up by robust operations and other business enablers,
as well as relevant local knowledge.

4 Market sizes: Retailing in Vietnam, Euromonitor International, 2018.

5 The State of Mobile in Rural Vietnam Report, 2018/19, Google, thinkwithgoogle.com.

Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam 5

1. Vietnam’s promising
macroeconomic outlook
In this chapter, we set out Vietnam’s promising macroeconomic indicators, including its
strong GDP growth, rising consumer spending, and potential for rapid future urbanization.
We conclude the chapter with a brief review of Vietnam’s evolution as a viable destination for
foreign investors.

Vietnam’s positive macroeconomic Vietnam’s financial system recovered relatively

indicators quickly from the 2011–13 domestic real estate and
macroeconomic downturns. Its economic growth
During the past quarter century, Vietnam has
rate rebounded from 5.2 percent in 2012 to 6.0
emerged as one of Asia’s great success stories.
percent in 2014 and surged to 7.1 percent in 2018.8
It has transformed itself from a nation affected
by war in the 1970s to an economy that, since the With a population soon expected to reach 100
economic and political reforms under Doi Moi in million people, Vietnam has a large domestic
1986, has posted annual average GDP per capita market and a growing middle class. Many
growth of 6.5 percent.6 Vietnam has benefited Vietnamese are digital consumers, spending
from a program of internal modernization, a approximately seven hours a day online.9
transition from its agricultural base toward Smartphone penetration stands at more than
manufacturing and services, and a demographic 70 percent of the population (and, as previously
dividend powered by its youthful population.7 discussed, more than 80 percent of adults).10
Moreover, Vietnam has approximately 50 million e-
commerce users, and this is growing rapidly.11

Exhibit 1
From a holistic assessment, Vietnam has attractive macroeconomic and business
environment fundamentals
Vietnam Philippines Indonesia Malaysia Thailand

Macro-economic GDP growth, 2018-2023, 6.5% 6.7% 5.2% 4.8% 3.5%

indicators CAGR
Private consumption, 2018 67.6% 73.8% 57.0% 57.3% 48.7%
% of total GDP
Middle-class growth, 2018- 9.2% 6.7% 5.9% 2.8% 2.4%
2023, CAGR
Urbanization, 2018, % of total 36% 47% 55% 76% 50%
population, CAGR
Business FDI attractiveness, 2017 6.3% 3.3% 2.0% 3.0% 1.8%
environment Infow as % of GDP
Political stability, 2017
WGI Index (-2.5 – 2.5) 0.31 -1.24 -0.51 0.16 -0.76
Ease of doing business 1 , 2018
WB Index (0-100) 66.8 56.3 66.5 78.0 77.4
Logistics competence 2 , 2018
LPI Index (1-5) 3.27 2.90 2.15 3.22 3.41

1. Includes 10 factors: starting a business; dealing with construction permits; getting electricity; registering property; getting credit; protecting investors;
paying taxes; trading across borders; enforcing contracts; resolving insolvency.
2. World Bank international measure of the competence and quality of logistics services in a country; see https://lpi.worldbank.org/.
Source: IMF, World Development Indicator, Worldwide Governance Indicators, UN Population Database, World Bank Logistic Performance Index, CGIDD

6 GDP per Capita Growth (Annual %), World Bank, worldbank.org.

7 “Sustaining Vietnam’s growth: The productivity challenge,” McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), February 2012, McKinsey.com.
8 GDP Growth, World Bank, 2019, worldbank.org.
9 Vietnam Digital Landscape, We Are Social, 2018.
10 Vietnam Mobile App Market Report, Appota, 2018.
11 eCommerce in Vietnam, Statista, 2019, statista.com.

6 Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam

 Exhibit 1 provides a snapshot of Vietnam’s Vietnam has been rising steadily in the World
macroeconomic and business environment, Bank’s ranking of the ease of doing business in
compared with Indonesia, Malaysia, the different countries. It climbed from 78th place
Philippines, and Thailand. Vietnam’s GDP growth, in 2015 to 69th place in 2019. Its overall Ease of
consumer spending, and strong middle-class Doing Business score of 66.8 is above the regional
growth indicate an attractive macroeconomic average of 63.4.17
outlook.
The following macroeconomic indicators,
Vietnam’s economy is growing at the second- examined in more detail, show Vietnam as a
fastest rate in the region, with GDP growth good contender for continued growth and
forecast at a CAGR of 6.5 percent a year over the attractiveness to business.
next five years.12 Strong economic growth and
A fast-growing economy in Southeast Asia
high private-consumption levels, currently at 68
Since opening its market in 1986, Vietnam has
percent of GDP, are both fundamental drivers for
had the fastest-growing economy in Southeast
the retail industry.13
Asia, compared with Indonesia, Malaysia, the
In particular, Vietnam’s middle-class growth— Philippines, and Thailand.18 It was also identified
currently the highest in the region—stands out as as one of the top 18 outperformers of the 71
a strong catalyst for increased consumer spending developing economies based on per capita GDP
and retail growth.14 Vietnam’s middle class is growth over the past 50 years.19
expected to grow at 9.2 percent a year over the
That said, Vietnam’s GDP per capita is currently
next five years and will make up over half the
the lowest in the region, at $2,518, compared with
population by 2035.15 Urbanization, at 36 percent $3,103 for the Philippines, $3,963 for Indonesia,
of the population living in cities, is currently the $7,277 for Thailand, and $11,373 for Malaysia.20
lowest in the region but has considerable upside But recent GDP growth statistics indicate that
and growth potential: it is expected to increase Vietnam’s GDP is likely to rise. It has grown
quite rapidly over the next decade and reach 55 consistently over the past five years, at growth
percent by 2030 (Exhibit 2).17

Exhibit 2
Urbanization in Vietnam remains low at about 36 percent but is expected to grow as
GDP per capita rises
Urbanization relative to GDP per capita
Urban population, 2018, % of total population

100 Singapore

90 Japan

80 South Korea

70 Malaysia

60 China
Vietnam (2030)
Indonesia
50 Thailand
China Philippines
40 (2000)
Vietnam
30
20
10
0 2 0 ,0 0 0 4 0 ,0 0 0 60,000 80,000 1,00,000

GDP per capita, 2018, PPP (constant 2011 international $)

Source: UN Population Database, World Development Indicator

12 World Economic Outlook Database, April 2019, International Monetary Fund, imf.org.
13 World Development Indicators, 2018, World Bank, worldbank.org.
14 The middle class is defined as the sector of the population with an income above $15 purchasing power parity (PPP) per day.
15 Global Income Distribution Database, Economist Intelligence Unit, 2018, eiu.com.
16 World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division, population.un.org.
17 Ease of Doing Business, World Bank, 2019, doingbusiness.org.
18 GDP growth, World Bank, worldbank.org.
19 “Outperformers: High-growth emerging economies and the companies that propel them,” McKinsey Global Institute, September 2018,
McKinsey.com.
20 Economist Intelligence Unit data, 2019.

Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam 7

 rates from approximately 5.4 percent in 2013 to in Thailand, and $6,318 in Malaysia. However,
7.1 percent in 2018.21 This growth is expected Vietnam’s disposable income per capita is
to continue at a CAGR of 6.5 percent a year to expected to grow quickly and reach $3,062 in
2023—making Vietnam’s GDP growth the second 2023 (9.9 percent CAGR), while this number is
fastest among major Southeast Asian economies $3,425 for the Philippines (7.1 percent), $4,427 for
and well ahead of the average projected GDP Thailand (3.3 percent), $4,431 for Indonesia (11.1
growth of 5.3 percent in the region.22 percent), and $8,630 for Malaysia (6.4 percent).28
Vietnam’s total consumer spending is growing at
Consistent population growth
the highest rate in the region—7.2 percent a year—
Vietnam’s population has grown consistently over
rising from $76 billion in 2008 to $167 billion in
the past five years, from approximately 90.7 million 2018.29 The private-consumption rate also is high,
in 2013 to 95.5 million in 2018.23 It is also expected at 67.6 percent of GDP. This is the second highest
to grow at a CAGR of 0.9 percent from 2018 to in the region, behind the Philippines (73.8 percent)
2024. 24 and ahead of Malaysia and Indonesia (57.0 and
Over the last five years, the number of Vietnamese 57.3 percent, respectively).
households has been growing at a faster rate (2 Low urbanization with high potential for growth
percent) than population growth (1 percent) as Vietnam’s urbanization rate is still low when
individuals are increasingly moving out from family compared across the region, at 36 percent of the
homes. 25 population, compared with rates between 47 and
This sizable and growing population, combined 76 percent in other Southeast Asian countries, as
with the increased adoption of a modern lifestyle was shown in Exhibit 2.30 This represents an area
and a large potential labor force, points to driving of high potential and expected growth. In fact,
factors for economic growth. The labor force the Vietnamese urban population is expected to
participation rate—the percentage of the total grow at a CAGR of about 3 percent up to 2025,
population aged 15 and above who are working or while this growth rate is between 1 and 2 percent
seeking work—was 76 percent in 2017.26 for Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and
Thailand.31
Highest middle-class growth in the region
The Vietnamese middle-class population is By comparison, China’s urbanization rate in 2000
expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2 percent up to was at the same level as Vietnam’s today, and
2023 and is expected to represent over half of by 2018, it had doubled to about 60 percent.32
the Vietnamese population by 2035. This is the Analysis of urbanization rates in comparable
fastest growth in the middle class in Southeast Southeast Asian countries indicates that the
Asian countries and provides an attractive catalyst early stage of urbanization is likely to be rapid.
for consumption growth. In 2015, the breakdown For example, Thailand’s urbanization rate grew
of income by class showed the global middle- from 37 percent in 2005 to 48 percent in 2015;
class segment, measured at $15 purchasing Indonesia’s from 36 percent in 1995 to 46 percent
power parity (PPP) per day, to be 10 percent of in 2005; and Malaysia’s from 38 percent in 1975
the population. This is expected to increase to 18 to 46 percent in 1985. Assuming that Vietnam’s
percent in 2020, 25 percent in 2025, 50 percent in growth follows a similar trajectory, urbanization will
2030, and about 55 percent, or 60 million people, reach 55 percent in 2030.33 Exhibit 2 shows the
by 2035. 27 correlation between the increase in urbanization
and growth in GDP per capita.
Rapid growth in consumer spending
Disposable income per capita for Vietnam is A host of additional macroeconomic strengths
currently low, at $1,909, compared with $2,429 Vietnam commands other fundamentals to sustain
in the Philippines, $2,619 in Indonesia, $3,761 growth, such as advanced road infrastructure,

21 GDP growth, World Bank, worldbank.org.

22 World Economic Outlook data, International Monetary Fund, 2019, imf.org.
23 Population growth, World Bank, worldbank.org.
24 World Economic Outlook Database, April 2019, International Monetary Fund, imf.org.
25 Economies and Consumers Annual Data: Number of Households in Vietnam, Euromonitor International, 2018.
26 Vietnam General Statistics Office, 2017.
27 Global Income Distribution Database (CGIDD), Economist Intelligence Unit, 2018, eiu.com.
28 Economist Intelligence Unit, 2019, eiu.com.
29 World Development Indicator, World Bank, 2018, databank.worldbank.org.
30 World Development Indicator, World Bank.
31 World Urbanization Prospects, UN Population Database, 2018, https://population.un.org
32 World Development Indicator, World Bank.
33 World Urbanization Prospects, UN Population Database.

8 Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam

seaports and airports, and a stable electricity $11 billion in 2010 to $19.1 billion in 2018. More
supply, with a power grid covering 100 percent of recently, there was a 9.1 percent increase from
the country.34 Expanding trade relationships are 2017 to 2018; FDI in 2017 was $17.5 billion.38
expected to ease tariff barriers; these include
As of December 2018, there were more than
Vietnam’s participation in the Comprehensive
27,000 projects nationwide, with the total
and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership
cumulative registered FDI in Vietnam at
and European Union–Vietnam Free Trade
$340.1 billion. The cumulative implemented or
Agreements.35 Additionally, rising labor and
disbursed FDI was $191.4 billion (56.2 percent of
operating costs in China and US–China trade
registered).39 The majority of cumulative registered
tension have increased Vietnam’s attractiveness
FDI goes to manufacturing (46.7 percent).40
as a manufacturing base. The country has a
Cumulative registered FDI comes from 130
large and cost-competitive labor pool, with
countries. Top originating countries include Japan,
approximately 400,000 college graduates
South Korea, Singapore, China, and Taiwan.41
entering the workforce every year, compared with
200,000 graduates ten years ago. 36 FDI flows to all 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam,
the largest of these being Ho Chi Minh City ($45.1
Vietnam’s evolution as an attractive billion, or 13.2 percent of total), Hanoi ($33.1 billion,
destination for foreign investors or 9.7 percent of total), and Binh Duong ($31.7
billion, or 9.3 percent of total).42 This distribution is
Foreign businesses are increasingly recognizing
similar to China’s, where the largest FDI recipients
Vietnam’s potential. Vietnam ranked highest in
by city are Beijing ($17.31 billion, or 12.19 percent of
the region for FDI as a percentage of GDP, at 6.3
total), Shanghai ($17.30 billion, or 12.18 percent of
percent in 2017. By comparison, the Philippines’
total), and Hangzhou ($6.83 billion, or 4.81 percent
FDI inflow as a percentage of GDP was 3.3
of total).43
percent, followed by Malaysia (3.0 percent),
Indonesia (2.0 percent), and Thailand (1.8
percent). 37

FDI into Vietnam has grown significantly in

recent years, mostly driven by new bilateral
and multilateral trade agreements. There has
been a marked increase over the last decade
as implemented or disbursed FDI grew from

34 Vietnam General Statistics Office, 2018.

35 Lindsey Ice, “Vietnam poised to profit from free trade agreements,” Vietnam Investment Review, January 3, 2019, vir.com.vn.
36 Bao Van, “Young, educated, unemployed: Vietnamese graduates struggle to find jobs,” Thanh Nien News, January 9, 2016,
thanhniennews.com; Dr. Tran Anh Tai, “Link education with application, universities with businesses,” Vietnam National University, 2009,
js.vnu.edu.vn.
37 The World Bank has not released FDI inflow as a percentage of GDP for Vietnam and Malaysia in 2018. The most recent data are for 2017,
which is used for consistency.
38 World Development Indicator, World Bank, 2017, databank.worldbank.org.
39 Vietnam General Statistics Office, 2019.
40 Vietnam FDI Report, Foreign Investment Agency, 2018.
41 Brief on Foreign Direct Investment of 2018, Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2018, mpi.gov.vn.
42 “FDI situation in 2018,” Foreign Investment Agency of Vietnam, 2018, fia.mpi.gov.vn.
43 “China foreign direct investment: Capital utilized: prefecture level city,” CEIC, 2018.

Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam 9

2. Vietnam’s fast-
growing retail market
Asian emerging economies are growing two to three times faster than advanced economies,
attracting companies across sectors and industries, from automakers to insurers. The prospects
in Vietnam reflect this trend. Discerning consumers with greater spending power, and
urbanization are rising quickly among the nation’s approximately 100 million people, driving
real GDP growth of about 7.1 percent in 2018 and a CAGR of 6.5 percent between 2018 and 2023.44

In this chapter, we focus in on Vietnam’s retail comparison, Indonesia’s retail market is forecast to
market, given that consumer retail is the largest grow at 8.2 percent, the Philippines’ at 7.7 percent,
segment in the country’s household spending, Malaysia’s at 7.5 percent, and Thailand’s at 4.9
accounting for 26 percent of the total.45 In percent. 48 Groceries and consumer electronics are
comparison, residential housing takes the second- the largest segments of the retail market, at 44
largest share of household spending, at percent and 17 percent, respectively.
20 percent; hospitality and entertainment take up
In particular, Vietnam’s modern grocery market
the third-largest share (16 percent), followed by
is expected to grow rapidly over the next five
transport, communication, and healthcare (13, 8,
years—at a CAGR of 25.8 percent between 2018
and 3 percent, respectively). Education takes up 2
and 2023, more than double that of any other
percent, and the rest, 13 percent.46 We examine the
country in the region (Exhibit 3).49 This impressive
factors contributing to the rapid growth of retail in
growth can be attributed to two major factors.
Vietnam and highlight three key trends: increasing
First, Vietnam is at the high-growth inflection of
consumer brand loyalty, growing preference for
the S-curve of modern grocery penetration, as
modern retail formats, and consolidation of key
we will discuss in more detail. Second, significant
players.
investment is flowing into Vietnam’s modern
We also shine a spotlight on modern trade. This grocery segment, from both foreign and local
ranks among Vietnam’s most promising industries, investors.
as the market is in an early stage of development
The following factors have enabled the rapid
in the grocery segment, which accounts for close
growth of the Vietnamese retail market:
to half of the total retail market. Traditional grocers
still dominate today, but millions of consumers — Increased wealth and disposable income.
with more disposable income, less time for Vietnam recently moved to a lower-middle-
shopping, and greater concern for food safety income country, with the World Bank removing
are increasingly turning to modern formats. This Vietnam from International Development
trend is likely to be amplified by infrastructure Association loans for low-income countries.
improvements that make stores more accessible, Vietnam is aspiring to move to the upper-
smaller households that translate into more middle market.50
shopping trips, and growing demand for high- — Increased urbanization coupled with
quality imported goods.47 population growth. As discussed in the
previous chapter, urbanization in Vietnam
A fast-growing retail market in the remains low, at approximately 36 percent;
region however, this is expected to grow to
Vietnam is a fast-growing retail market in approximately 55 percent by 2030.51 This is
Southeast Asia. The current size of the market coupled with continued growth in Vietnam’s
is $108 billion, and it is forecast to grow at 7.3 population, also discussed in the previous
percent a year over the next five years. By chapter.

44 Marco Breu, Matthieu Francois, Dymfke Kuijpers, and Alex Sawaya “How grocers can outperform in Vietnam: Standing tall in a
crowded
market.” McKinsey & Company, March 2018, McKinsey.com.
45 Business Monitor International, Vietnamese Household Spending, 2019.
46 Business Monitor International, Vietnamese Household Spending, 2019.
47 “Vietnam’s consumer preference for ‘affordable luxuries,’” HKTDC Research, 2017.
48 Retailing in Vietnam/Indonesia/Thailand/Philippines/Malaysia data, 2018–2023, Euromonitor International, 2018–19.
49 Euromonitor, Grocery market size, 2018; McKinsey analysis.
50 Borrowing Countries, International Development Association, World Bank, ida.worldbank.org.
51 UN population database, World Development Indicator.

10 Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam

Exhibit 3
The Vietnam modern grocery market is expected to grow at 25.8% p.a. over the next
5 years, ahead of other SEA markets
Grocery and consumer electronics are the two largest Vietnam’s mod ern grocery market is the fastest
retail categories b y value growing in SEA
Breakdown of Vietnam retail market, Modern grocery size, x CAGR, 2018-23 %
%, 2018, 100% = USD108 bn Size of bubble represents
USD bn, 2018
modern grocery market size
Others in 2018
Non-store retail
40

Apparel & Footwear 2% 6%

5% 30
6.4% Thailand
Leisure Goods 6%
20 11.1% Indonesia
Health & Beauty
9%
44% Grocery
11.2% Philippines
10 Vietnam
7.0% 2 5 . 8%
11% Malaysia
Home & Garden 0

17% 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Electronic & Appliance Modern grocery growth, 2018-2023 CAGR %

Source: Euromonitor, McKinsey analysis

— Increased sophistication. Urbanization leads in Southeast Asia.52

to a change in consumer preferences, with
— Rise of social media. Increasing use of social
less time for shopping and increased demand
media creates demand, connects customers
for convenient, easy-to-cook, packaged
and retailers, and boosts sales of fashion
fresh food. There is also increased emphasis
products via platforms such as Instagram and
on food safety; for example, the 2016 marine
Facebook.
life disaster drove middle- and high-income
households toward modern trade for fresh — Growing consumer finance. Vietnam’s
food, as it is perceived to have better food consumer finance segment has grown rapidly,
safety. at approximately 59 percent year on year
from 2014 to 2018.53 Recently, big retail
— Consolidation of top local players. Over
players (Lotte, AEON) have launched their own
the past few years, the market has been
consumer finance companies to complete their
consolidating as top local players acquire
value chain. This shows that these retailers see
smaller companies to expand and increase
consumer finance as an important driver for
their share. For example, Mobile World
retail growth.54
acquired pharmacy chain Phuc An Khang, and
Vingroup acquired supermarket chain Fivimart,
convenience-store chain Shop & Go, and
Modern trade penetration: potential
electronics and appliance specialist retailer for growth
chain Vien Thong A. Modern trade holds great promise in Vietnam,
as mentioned earlier. In consumer electronics,
— Entry of international players. The market is
leading players have already driven rapid
attractive to foreign retailers— for example,
modernization of the segment. But in the larger
Zara, H&M, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, 7-
grocery segment, Vietnam’s modern trade
Eleven, and GS25—with others coming soon,
penetration, at 8 percent in 2018, is quite low
including Uniqlo and IKEA.
when compared with that of other Southeast Asian
— Rise of e-commerce. Vietnam has one of the countries (Exhibit 4). Indonesia’s modern trade
fastest-growing retail channels, with many penetration in groceries stands at 17 percent,
large players expanding their presence in the the Philippines’ at 32 percent, Malaysia’s at 46
country. The internet-economy market size percent, and Thailand’s at 47 percent. Likewise,
is expected to grow from $9 billion in 2018 to Vietnam’s modern grocery trade spend per capita,
$33 billion in 2025, the second-fastest growth at $38, lags behind that of other economies in

52 e-Conomy SEA 2018, Google and Temasek, 2018.

53 Vietnam Consumer Finance Market 2019, FiinGroup, 2019.
54 Thao Nguyen, “Consumer finance market: An attractive opportunity,” Kinh te & Do thi, May 4, 2019, kinhtedothi.vn.

Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam 11

Exhibit 4
Modern trade’s share of Vietnam’s grocery market is low compared with that of
other countries
Modern grocery share1 , 2018, Share of total grocery % Modern grocery spend per apita, 2018, USD

Japan 82 1,917

South Korea 81 1,441

Singapore 69 712

China 67 336

Thailand 47 391

Malaysia 46 238 (10x Vietnam)

Philippines 32 127 (6x Vietnam)

Indonesia 17 71 (3x Vietnam)

Vietnam 8 38 (2x Vietnam)

1. Based on total revenue of USD 4.8 billion in Exhibit 8.

Source: Euromonitor, World Bank

the region. Indonesia’s is double that, at $71; countries’ modern grocery penetration (Exhibit 5).
the Philippines’ is $127, Malaysia’s is $238, and As GDP per capita rises, the total grocery market
Thailand’s is ten times Vietnam’s at $391.55 is expected to grow from $47 billion to $75 billion.
Within this, the modern grocery retail market is
Although Vietnam’s modern trade penetration
expected to grow from $4 billion to approximately
in groceries is low, it has significant potential for
$20 billion by 2025.57 The growth ahead is reflected
growth and is forecast to increase from 8 percent
in the increasing competitive intensity of the
to 26 percent by 2025.56 This market is on the
modern grocery market (see sidebar, “Intensifying
verge of significant modernization and is likely to
competition in modern grocery formats”).
follow the S-curve of other, more developed Asian

Exhibit 5
Modern segment grocery penetration is expected to grow as GDP per capita increases
Grocery spending at modern retailers at diferent income levels, 2018
Modern grocery spending/grocery spending, %
90
80 South Korea Japan

70 China
Singapore
60
50 Malaysia
Thailand
40
30 Philippines Vietnam (2025)
20 Indonesia
10 Vietnam (2018)
0
2.8 2.9 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8

Log10 GDP per capita, USD

Source: World Bank, EIU

55 Modern Grocery Retailers data, Euromonitor International, 2018; World Development Indicator, World Bank, 2018, worldbank.org.
56 Market sizes: Grocery retailers and modern grocery retailers in Vietnam, 2018-2023, Euromonitor International, 2018.
57 World Bank, EIU, McKinsey & Co. analysis, and expert interviews.

12 Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam

Intensifying competition in modern grocery formats
With Vietnam’s modern grocery market poised for rapid growth, its competitive intensity is increasing. In addition to large
domestic and international players with an established footing in Vietnam, a wave of new competitors has entered the
market in the past five years. But the pathways of these players’ expansion strategies have varied greatly.

Casino, the European grocer, made its first foray into Vietnam in 2003 via Big C. It was followed by South Korean Lotte,
which entered in 2007. Since then, Casino has divested, and the other foreign players’ store expansions have seemingly
slowed. Auchan, another European grocer, entered Vietnam in 2015 but exited four years later.1

Newer players include AEON, Asia’s largest retailer, and VinCommerce, which acquired the Ocean Mart supermarket chain
in 2014. AEON entered Vietnam in 2011 and has increased market share to 2 percent in 2018. VinCommerce has since led
an expansion drive encompassing both further acquisitions and greenfield store openings. VinCommerce currently leads
in a number of stores, with over 100 supermarkets and approximately 1,900 minimarkets, followed by Bach Hoa Hanh and
Saigon Co.op with around 500 and 460 outlets respectively. (Exhibit A).
These companies have gained market share from incumbent retailer Saigon Co.op. As recently as 2012, Saigon Co.op
captured more than two-thirds of the supermarket and convenience store business in Vietnam. Increased competition
since that time, including from new entrants such as Vingroup, which has grown share to 27 percent, have decreased
Saigon Co.op’s share to 47 percent (Exhibit B).2

1 Pauline Neerman, “Auchan leaves Vietnam as well as Italy,” Retail Detail, May 15, 2019, retaildetail.eu..
2 Marco Breu, Matthieu Francois, Dymfke Kuijpers, and Alex Sawaya, “How grocers can outperform in Vietnam: Standing tall in a crowded market,” McKinsey &
Company, March 2018, McKinsey.com.

Exhibit A Exhibit B
By number of stores, Newer players have
VinCommerce dominates gained market share at
the convenience store and the expense of older
supermarket segment players
Market share of retail chains, by Market share by revenue1 , % of total
market revenue
number of outlets, April 2019
1.2 1.6 2.1 2.8
Total market
17%
26% 32% 22%
1% 2%
2%
2%
revenue,
5%
Company’s outlets as % of total outlets 1% 4% 1%
1% 4%
2%
15%
USD billion4
Others²
5%
Aeon Citimart
3% 3% Fivimart
68% 62% 54% 47% FamilyMart
4%
Bach Hoa Xanh
5% VinCommerce³
Saigon Co.op
2012 2014 2016 2018
8%

53% Years of operation, As at end of 2018

13%
24 23 9
12%

4 3

1. Revenues of convenience stores and supermarkets

2. Maximark, Circle K, Ministop, etc.
3. VinCommerce acquired Fivimart in 2018, and Shop & Go
and Zakka in 2019
4. Nominal retail sale price excluding sales tax
Source: Euromonitor, VinCommerce data
Source: BVSC research

Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam 13

 E-commerce penetration on the rise Consumers are loyal to local brands
Vietnam’s e-commerce industry is one of the fastest There is evidence that the vast majority of
growing in the region and is expected to grow from consumers in Vietnam—69 percent, according
to one study—believe that local brands are most
$2.8 billion to $15 billion between 2018 and 2025.58
attuned to their needs and tastes. Around half
This is driven by Vietnam’s youthful population and
of consumers say they would choose a local
high smartphone penetration, which has doubled
brand over a global one, a decision driven both by
since 2014 to 51 million smartphones, enough to
national pride and the belief that local brands offer
provide a device for more than 80 percent of the
good value for money.63
population over 15 years of age.59 Vietnam also has
Southeast Asia’s highest internet economy gross Accordingly, Vietnamese retail brands are gaining
merchandise value as a percent of GDP: 4 percent, popularity. Forbes released a list of the 40 most
ahead of the region’s average of 2.8 percent.60 valuable brands in Vietnam in 2018, with the total
value up 50 percent from the previous year to $8.1
According to a survey of Vietnamese online billion. Consumer and retail companies account for
shoppers, the most popular e-commerce 41 percent of the total brand value in Vietnam.64
categories include clothing, footwear, cosmetics,
technology, appliances, and gifts. Roughly 30 Customers are adopting modern retail formats
percent of respondents indicated that they shop As previously discussed, modern trade will take
online to make tour and hotel bookings and buy increasing share from traditional trade as people
train and air tickets as well as movie and concert migrate from the countryside to urban areas,
tickets.61 adopt a more modern lifestyle, and enjoy higher
disposable income. 65
This being said, the e-commerce sector is in its
early days, and many players are still operating at a Modern retail formats in Vietnam have exhibited
loss. Key success factors for e-commerce players rapid sales growth in recent years, and this
include overcoming logistics challenges, especially growth is likely to continue. Within the modern
last-mile delivery outside tier-one cities, and the format grocery segment, the supermarkets and
fact that 75 percent of payment is currently cash convenience store categories accounted for $1.2
on delivery.62 However, players are diversifying to billion in sales in 2012, and this grew to $2.8 billion
tap entire ecosystems and invest long term across in 2018—a CAGR of 15 percent (Exhibit B in the
these to create a sustainable business model. preceding sidebar).
Modernization of store formats can also be seen in
Key trends to watch: focus on brands, the consumer electronics segment. In consumer
shift to modern retail formats, electronics, specialist chains have already taken
consolidation of key players a strong position. They increased their share
Three key trends are evident in the retail market. of sales in the segment from 39 percent to 75
First, consumers are increasingly loyal to brands; percent between 2014 and 2018—and helped to
second, they prefer modern retail formats; and third, double the size of this market over this four-year
key players are consolidating. period, from $9 billion to $19 billion (Exhibit 6).66

58 Google and Temasek, e-Conomy SEA 2018.

59 The State of Mobile in Rural Vietnam Report 2018/2019, Google and Mobile Marketing Association, 2018.
60 Google and Temasek, e-Conomy SEA 2018.
61 Ella Zoe Doan, “Most popular online shopping categories according to online shoppers in Vietnam,” Statista, 23 July 2018, statista.com.
62 Google and Temasek, e-Conomy SEA 2018.
63 “Vietnamese consumers support local brands,” Vietnam Economic Times, April 29, 2016, vneconomictimes.com.
64 “Forbes lists Vietnam’s most valuable brands, Vinamilk, Viettel remain top,” VN Express International, August 1, 2018, vnexpress.net.
65 Breu et al., “How grocers can outperform in Vietnam.”
66 Market sizes: Electronics and appliance specialist retailers in Vietnam, 2014–2023, Euromonitor International.

14 Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam

Exhibit 6
Rapid modernization was driven by leading players in consumer electronics; in future,
online channel expected to take share from ofine specialist chains
Consumer electronics sales by type of retailer, %, Total consumer electronics sales, USD billions
100% = 9.5 18.6 25.2 CAGR, %
4% 3% 2%
2% 6%
17% 2014–18 2 0 1 8-23

21 6
39%

Others 12 -3
75% 70%

Online 59 30

55%
Specialist chain 42 4

17% 11% Independent -10 -3

mom and pop
2014 2018 2023

Source: MWG annual report 2014-17, FPT annual report 2014-17, Euromonitor

By aggressively rolling out new store formats modern retail players make up another 6 percent
and investing heavily in advertising, they have of the market, and other modern retail players
achieved strong sales productivity. Increasingly, make up the last 2 percent.69 If Vietnam follows
these chains are moving sales online: in consumer other countries in the region, as modern retail
electronics, online sales as a share of total sales is penetration grows, the top three players will take
expected to almost triple from 6 percent in 2018 to up a much larger share of the retail market. By
17 percent by 2023.67 comparison, Thailand’s modern retail penetration
Top players are consolidating is at 47 percent (versus Vietnam’s 8 percent), with
the top three players holding a 35 percent market
As retail modernizes, the market is expected to share and other modern retail players holding 12
consolidate around top local players. Currently, percent, leaving 53 percent for traditional grocery
Vietnamese traditional retail has a 92 percent retailers. 70
share of the total grocery market. 68 The top three

67 Market sizes: Consumer electronics in Vietnam, 2014–2023, Euromonitor International.

68 Market sizes: Grocery retailers and traditional grocery retailers in Vietnam, Euromonitor International, 2018.
69 Brand shares: Grocery retailers in Vietnam, Euromonitor International, 2018.
70 Market shares and brand shares: Grocery retailers, modern grocery retailers and traditional grocery retailers in Thailand,
Euromonitor
International, 2018.

Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam 15

3.Seizing the opportunity:
How to succeed in
Vietnam retail
Retail players face growing competition from both foreign and local companies as players are
drawn by increasing growth. However, by leveraging lessons in innovative technologies and
more advanced markets, players can identify the factors associated with a greater chance of
success. According to our research and observations, retailers that are perceived as offering
convenience and value for money and that rigorously manage resources and margins will
be most likely to succeed in the Vietnamese market. In particular, based on our experience
in working with leading retailers across Southeast Asia, we have observed the following six
success factors that stand out as keys to making the most of retail opportunities in the region
(Exhibit 7).

Exhibit 7
Retail leaders exhibit 6 key success factors xx # of members

Robinsons
CP All (7/11) BJC Central Group Alfamart Retail Dairy Farm

Parent group CP Group TCC Central Group Sumber Alfaria JG Summit Jardines
Trijaya

Supermarket

Hypermarket
Network
and scale CVS
Others
Total outlets 4 11,000 8501 (2017) 13921 14,3001 1,849 1,626 (2017) 12’-
(home market) 13‘-18’ CAGR: 8% 16’-17’ CAGR: 30%1 13’-18’ CAGR: 3-7%1 13’-18’ CAGR: 14% 13’-18‘ CAGR: 12% 17’ CAGR:1%

Compelling value Convenience Merchandising Convenience Merchandising Distinct value proposition

Convenience Price
proposition Ready to eat Authority Price Large range Price Authority Price for diferent chains

Distribution Own logistics subsidiary or exclusive logistics partner

Strong business Proprietary brand Multiple brands, Tops Supermarket:

Multiple brands,
e.g., Zilk, DOZO My Choice, Tops, Love Alfamart (Universal Robina)
enablers (own product2 ) e.g., Guardian
(ThaiBev) the Value (house brand)

Loyalty program
12mm 12mm 20mm 10mm⁴ 1.2mm NA
/data 3
Tops Supermarket:
Thailand’s Top Superbrands 2016;
Asia’s Fab Indonesia’s Top Asia’s Fab 50 Hong Kong Top
Strong brand equity 50 Companies
Corporate Brand Brand of The Year 2016
Brand Award Companies Service Brand
Values 2018 from World Branding
Awards

Parent group has own real estate business

Privileged access and
local knowledge

Omni-channel
wellcome.com
platform

1. Estimated based on press search

2. Parent group own separate brands sold through the retail chain
3. As at end of 2017 4. As of 2018
Source: CapitalIQ, Euromonitor, company annual reports, press search, expert interviews

16 Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam

Exhibit 8
The top players in Vietnam have diferentiated value propositions xx #xxof members Weak
presence
Strong
presence

Aeon Bach Hoa Xanh Big C Lotte Saigon Coop VinCommerce

Parent group Aeon Mobile World Central Group Lotte Saigon Union Vingroup

Retail revenue1 2,812

322 277 1,446 491 722
USD mm

28 109 113
Supermarket
Network Hypermarket
36 13
4 4
and scale
512 1901
CVS/Minimart 112 352
512 36 13 2,014
Total outlets 144 465

Value Premium Service/ Price Merchandise

(Japan quality) Merchandise Price Experience Price Convenience
proposition Service

Owns logistic Owns logistic

Partnership with Partnership Lotte logistics Owns logistics
Distribution with Sagawa
distribution network +
Sagawa Vietnam subsidiary
network exclusive 3PL

Proprietary brand L-Brand VinMart Home/

Business Coop Mart
Top Value Big C brand (Lotte bev./ Cook/ Good/ Care,
(own product2 ) Private Label
enablers conf./food) VinEco, Vsmart

Loyalty program AEON 1mm Big C 6mm L.Point 1.5mm 4 mm 7.2mm

/data member card member

Brand equity3 #4 Not in top 10 #2 #6 #3 #1

69 shopping
Access and local 4 shopping malls No separate 2 shopping malls malls
real estate business 4 shopping malls 19 operating
knowledge Invest in VN projects projects

Omni-channel “Scan & Go”

platform VinMart 4.0

1. Nominal retail value RSP excl sales tax (2018) 2. Parent group own separate brands sold through the retail chain
3. Most Trusted Retailer in the grocery category in Vietnam by Vietnam Report (2018).
Source: Company websites, Euromonitor, press search

Network and scale categories prized by traditional grocery shoppers,

A large, well-connected network is vital to driving including fresh vegetables, meat, and fish.
retail growth and scale. The ability to grow these
networks depends on the player’s access to Compelling value propositions
funding, the skill of its team, and the ability to So far, there is no clear winner in the Vietnam
find and acquire quality locations. For example, groceries market. Our assessment shows that,
Vingroup in Vietnam has amassed substantial compared with other markets where modern trade
real estate assets. Furthermore, players such as is well established, players in Vietnam have not yet
Vingroup and Mobile World have teams dedicated managed to create distinctive and differentiated
to finding suitable sites and locations (Exhibit 8). value propositions. Reasons include the relative
newness of modern trade, gaps in capabilities in
Major players have followed the approach of
the market, and consumers’ lack of familiarity with
building a dense network of smaller stores in
the format.
urban areas that are accessible without a car and
have offerings tailored to medium-size baskets. We have observed that players are often
Expansion offers the benefits of scale, such as unsuccessful if they try to excel in every
superior bargaining power leading to competitive dimension—price, assortment, merchandising,
pricing and higher margins. But expansion experience, service, and convenience. It is
must be carefully managed. Leading retailers better to focus on a clear and compelling value
have achieved successful expansion by using a proposition that works economically and attracts
consistent format tailored to the market, together customers from competitors. Successful retailers
with a uniform visual identity. For supermarkets, differentiate themselves from competitors by
for example, this will mean midsize stores selecting and focusing on the right factor that fits
tailored to urban locations, with high visibility for best with customers’ needs, instead of trying to
focus on all of them.

Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam 17

 Strong business enablers integrated with an app that guarantees delivery
Strong business enablers are especially important times of less than 30 minutes for customers
to success in countries with less developed living near its stores. Suning.com in China takes a
business and transportation infrastructure. In different approach: it sells consumer electronics
Vietnam, where only 25 percent of consumers via its online stores and select “smart” stores in
adopt digital payments, this is fundamental to key cities. This enables it to reduce the costs of
the ability to scale.71 To overcome the lack of operating brick-and-mortar stores yet still offer
payments and logistics infrastructure in the customers an omnichannel experience.
region, e-commerce player Lazada built in-house Like expansion, innovation requires access to
capabilities in cash on delivery and last-mile funds. However, the ability to build a strong
delivery to better serve customers. Other enablers organizational culture and attract top talent is as
include building proprietary products and loyalty important in driving innovation. Going forward,
programs. These help consumers gain trust winning retailers will have to compete for talent
in brands and reinforce the company’s value with foreign companies, both domestically and
proposition. overseas. Winning in retail, in the future, may come
down to who has the best workforce.
Strong brand equity
□ □ □
Strengthening brand equity through marketing
Vietnam’s economy stands out as being among
efforts and establishing trust with customers
the fastest growing and stable in Southeast Asia.
in daily business is essential for building a loyal
Its key macroeconomic indicators, particularly
customer base. This is especially crucial in
the high forecast growth in GDP and the middle
Vietnam, where consumers are still developing
class, combined with the existing high private-
trust in new brands. Local players have the
consumption rate, create an attractive and
advantage over global brands in perceived
sustainable environment for investment. Vietnam’s
friendliness and often gain support from local
business fundamentals are strong, most notably
customers.
shown in the recent increase in FDI investment
and in the country’s rise in the rankings in the
Local knowledge
World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index.
Local knowledge is especially important for
expansion in developing markets like Vietnam. These factors point to opportunities in Vietnam’s
Extensive, on-the-ground experience is retail market, which is already growing quickly.
particularly valuable for foreign entrants to The retail sector offers large potential, particularly
understand local tastes, rules and regulations, and in modern trade formats. Although modern
trends, such as where the next up-and-coming trade penetration is currently lower than in
neighborhood may be. other countries in the region, it is predicted to
grow significantly faster than forecast GDP.
E-commerce, too, is on the rise; although still in its
Innovation and omnichannel
early stages, it offers rich potential for long-term
platforms growth.
As retailers face increasing competition in
Vietnam, innovation and omnichannel platforms All in all, Vietnam retail offers exciting growth
will be a key differentiator. This means providing opportunities for companies with the boldness
customers with unique, delightful journeys and imagination to build meaningful scale, shape
that span both the offline and online worlds. compelling brands and value propositions, build
For example, Freshippo in China, owned by local access and knowledge, and innovate across
Alibaba, puts emphasis on fresh grocery displays omnichannel platforms.
reminiscent of wet markets. However, this is

Dymfke Kuijpers is a senior partner in McKinsey’s Singapore office. Alex Sawaya is a partner in the Hong Kong office.
Marco Breu is the managing partner of the Vietnam office, where Matthieu Francois is an associate partner.

71 Google and Temasek, e-Conomy SEA 2018.

18 Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam

Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam 19
20 Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam
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Seizing the fast-growing retail opportunity in Vietnam 21

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