Dong Nai develops multi-utility retail spaces

In recent years, shopping malls and supermarkets across Dong Nai have focused on expanding scale, increasing retail space, and diversifying services and amenities to enhance competitiveness and attract more visitors and shoppers.

Consumers make QR-code payments at Co.opmart Dong Xoai supermarket in Binh Phuoc ward. Photo: Hai Quan.

Supermarkets and malls refresh their look

Amid shifting consumer preferences and shopping habits, supermarkets and commercial centers have been upgrading their appearances toward a more modern aesthetic while offering new shopping experiences.

In late January 2026, Central Retail Vietnam Group and Dong Nai Food Industry Corporation (Dofico) officially inaugurated and put into operation the GO! Dong Nai shopping mall in Long Hung ward.

According to Olivier Langlet, CEO of Central Retail Vietnam, GO! Dong Nai now has a more modern, refined look, providing enhanced convenience for customers. The upgrade reflects the group’s long-term commitment to delivering higher service standards while contributing positively to local development.

The mall has been redeveloped with a total investment of VND252 billion, including nearly VND200 billion dedicated to renovation and upgrading. Covering more than 52,000 square meters, GO! Dong Nai features a single-floor commercial space built under a multi-utility model that integrates shopping, dining, learning, and entertainment.

At Co.opmart Dong Xoai in Binh Phuoc ward, the supermarket has a total area of about 6,400 square meters, of which more than 2,000 square meters are used for product display and sales. Meanwhile, the remaining space is reserved for community activities and convenience services. The supermarket is divided into two floors. The ground floor is used for displaying and selling processed foods and fresh foods, combined with leased business space for food and beverage services, fashion retail, and a children's play and entertainment area. The upper floor displays cosmetics, household goods, and garments, and also includes leased space for a bookstore, fashion shops, children's toy stores, dining areas, and children's play areas.

Nguyen Quoc Minh, Director of Co.opmart Dong Xoai, said that in addition to its retail operations, the supermarket sets aside part of its space for extra customer amenities such as seating areas, free phone-charging stations, free drinking water, free restrooms, free gift-wrapping services, and parking for customers visiting and shopping at the supermarket. In particular, the layout intersperses sales areas with play and entertainment areas and support zones, making it easier for customers to access the supermarket's services as quickly as possible and creating a comfortable shopping space.

Enhancing consumer-friendly experiences

Many supermarkets, shopping malls, and convenience store chains in the province are increasingly diversifying product lines to meet modern consumption trends, especially among urban customers. At the same time, retailers are accelerating omnichannel development and the adoption of digital payments to attract shoppers and enhance the shopping experience.

According to Central Retail Vietnam, GO! Dong Nai, with its new look, aims to offer a more comprehensive and customer-friendly experience, with the entire system of equipment and facilities on the first floor fully upgraded, including the installation of new, modern equipment to ensure the most convenient and safest shopping experience for all customers. At the same time, GO! Dong Nai has added and upgraded a wide range of free services, including parking and free storage, while also providing mother-and-baby care areas to support families with young children and dedicated pathways for people with disabilities.

A survey on consumer behavior and trends conducted by the  High-Quality Vietnamese Goods Business Association from September 2025 to January 2026 shows that the retail market is shifting markedly toward an omnichannel model. Supermarkets and shopping malls remain the primary shopping channels, with 44% of respondents choosing them, rising to 58% for food products.

Anh Thu, a resident of Tran Bien ward, noted that local retail spaces are placing greater emphasis on customer experience, particularly for younger consumers, by integrating shopping with dining and entertainment. She added that digital payment methods are becoming more widespread, offering greater convenience along with promotions and incentives, thereby giving consumers more flexible shopping options in today’s digital era.

Le Duc Thuan, Director of Lotte Mart Dong Nai in Long Binh ward, said the supermarket is focused on integrating a modern omnichannel retail model. It focuses on developing target customer groups based on shopping behavior, residential area, and interaction frequency. At the same time, Lotte Mart Dong Nai is continuing to expand multi-platform sales, from websites and mobile applications to online grocery platforms and livestream sales channels, to broaden technological touchpoints and add further conveniences for consumers.

Looking ahead, Nguyen Quoc Minh added that Co.opmart Dong Xoai will continue refining its product selection to align with market trends and customer demand. The supermarket also plans to revamp its food and fashion areas to refresh the overall shopping space. In addition, several facility upgrades are underway, including covered walkways from the parking area to the main entrance and expanded rest areas equipped with amenities such as phone charging, drinking water, and shoe-polishing services.

By Hai Quan – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho