Vietnamese government to protect local firm from competition of foreign retailers. Based on the data that is collected from investigation from consumers, experts’ opinion and other sources from secondary data as well as the previous study of the author, this study has examined strategic situation of the local supermarkets in Vietnam and generated TOWS analysis to formulate solid strategies for local supermarkets in order to leverage their competitive advantages in Vietnam | Nguyễn Thị Uyên Tạp chí KHOA HỌC & CÔNG NGHỆ 125(11): 49 - 55 ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY ORIENTATION FOR LOCAL RETAILERS IN VIETNAM Nguyen Thi Uyen* Vietnam University of Commerce SUMMARY After January 11, 2015, Vietnam will fully open retail market to foreign companies what create significant pressure on local retailers. In-depth study about strategic situation and strategy orientation of Vietnamese supermarkets should be useful not only for the local supermarkets but also for Vietnamese government to protect local firm from competition of foreign retailers. Based on the data that is collected from investigation from consumers, experts’ opinion and other sources from secondary data as well as the previous study of the author, this study has examined strategic situation of the local supermarkets in Vietnam and generated TOWS analysis to formulate solid strategies for local supermarkets in order to leverage their competitive advantages in Vietnam. Key words: Vietnam Local supermarket, competitive advantage, business environment, TOWS analysis, strategy formulation. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY* Vietnam became the WTO’s 150th member on 12 January 2007 that brings to local supermarkets with both opportunities and challenges due to this internationalization. With high potential retail market, Vietnam has been attracting many foreign retailers and this generates many threats on local supermarkets. Especially under WTO commitments, from January 11, 2010 to January 11, 2015, Vietnam has given the right to set up joint venture to provide services related to production, in which foreign investors can own up to 50 percent of the charter capital of the joint venture. Having to fairly competed with foreign firms even in their home market remains a big challenge for domestic retailers. In the changeable environment with tough competition, the enterprises cannot do well without environment scanning; identifying strategic factors to formulate strategy solidly. The .
