During Black Friday, despite numerous stores displaying discount signs and buy-one-get-one-free offers, Bao Chi, an office worker in TP HCM, decided not to visit. She noted that this year's economic changes have impacted her income, leading to more selective shopping.

"Every year, around this time, I often visit shopping malls to buy clothes. But this year, I prioritize saving, mainly hunting for online sales on essential household items, while limiting purchases of clothes or fashion," Chi shared.

Many shop owners observed that Black Friday, once a prime opportunity for revenue growth, has seen consumer purchasing power sharply decline since the Covid-19 pandemic.

People limit spending despite many brands displaying sale signs at year-end. *Home Credit*.

According to financial experts, year-end is typically a period of high shopping demand. However, this year's economic fluctuations have forced many families to cut spending on clothes, travel, and entertainment, redirecting budgets towards fresh food, groceries, transportation, education, or rent. Consumers are also showing more interest in financial support solutions such as consumer loans, installment plans, and cash back, to save money while meeting Tet holiday shopping needs.

People prioritize budgets for daily essential items. *Home Credit*.

To stimulate market demand during the pre-Tet period, many large-scale stimulus programs are underway. From early november, Dien may Xanh, Nguyen Kim, Cho Lon, Gia Thanh, FPT Shop, and others simultaneously rolled out programs offering 30-60% discounts, free Tet gifts, shopping vouchers, free installation, and 0% installment plans.

In the consumer credit sector, domestic and international banks, along with finance companies, have also launched many incentive programs and cash back offers to support consumers. Among these, Home Credit offers a range of solutions: flexible cash back on Home Credit credit cards, allowing cardholders to choose one of five cash back categories. Users can flexibly switch to optimize benefits, depending on their spending needs, with a maximum cash back rate of 10%, equivalent to 300.000 dong per month.

Home Credit credit card's flexible cash back mechanism helps users optimize monthly cash back benefits. *Home Credit*.

Another common financial need at year-end is consumer loans for gift shopping and pre-Tet preparations. Many major banks have launched flexible consumer loan packages, meeting diverse borrowing purposes of customers. Home Credit also launched the "Bustling Season, Abundant Offers" campaign with many practical support solutions. From 1/10 to 31/1/2026, customers who sign an online quick loan contract for 20-50 million dong will receive a voucher worth 800.000 dong, deducted directly from the first payment period. Reducing debt repayment costs in the first month helps borrowers alleviate financial pressure and provides additional funds for Tet holiday expenses.

Alongside consumer loan packages and credit cards, Home Credit develops a financial ecosystem with flexible products like Home PayLater, a buy-now-pay-later solution that helps users acquire necessary items, split costs, and reduce immediate payment pressure. The company also launched the "Unbox Daily - Hunt for 5 Billion Gifts" program, for credit cardholders and Home PayLater post-paid accounts, offering the chance to receive up to 100 million dong cash back, valid until 15/2/2026.

A brand representative stated that these efforts aim to provide a comprehensive digital financial experience, helping users feel secure and confident when facing year-end spending pressure.

Experts noted that by effectively utilizing financial leverages and offers from banks and finance companies, consumers can significantly save on shopping costs during the peak pre-Tet period. Cash back programs, discounts, installment plans, and financial support are projected to continue attracting interest, thereby contributing to stimulating consumer demand and supporting year-end market growth targets.

Minh Ngoc