Thailand news & analysis

Saha Lawson, operator of Lawson 108 in Thailand will start franchising its stores to increase their store network to 500 by 2020. This ambitious store target was first set when they launched back in 2013. Time catching-up... Lawson 108's growth during their first few years in Thailand has been slower than expected, with store network currently at 88. In terms of geographical coverage, over ...

Central Food Retail, a leading retailer in Thailand which operates Tops Supermarkets, will introduce a new mall format and add more small stores this year. Tops Plaza - a new format for provinces A Tops Plaza will be in Pichit by this year end. The new retail format will function as a community mall, with many anchors including a Tops Supermarket. A second mall will be built in Payao next y...

SPAR International has released its 2016 results, reporting that sales increased by 4.5% to €33.1bn. The retailer, which has a presence in 44 countries, stated that record performance ‘ was driven by a combination of like-for-like organic growth, successful acquisitions and new country expansion’ . Regional performance breakdown In Western Europe , which accounts for the largest share of s...

Big C's total revenue from retail sales, rental and service income for Q1 drops to THB 28bn (USD 811mn), -14.9% over the same quarter last year. This is largely driven by a 20% decline in same store sales. Trend for same store sales improved from H2 2016 Big C has been cutting out unprofitable sales due to deep discounting via cash vouchers and bulk volumes. The focus on quality of sales ha...

Watsons, a leading health and beauty retailer, has revealed plans to add 50 to 55 stores this year in Thailand. Building from strong growth in 2016 Watsons achieved 55 store openings last year, ahead of its plan for 50 stores. The current year will see a similar number of store openings, balanced between upcountry and Bangkok. Other investments this year will focus on store renovations, eco...

Tesco remains fully committed to supporting the growth of its businesses in Southeast Asia, identified as strategic locations for the Group. Investment reflects confidence in Thai economy Tesco Lotus operates more than 1,900 stores in 73 provinces, with an online presence in Thailand. The retailer has planned 100 stores in various formats, including hypermarket, supermarket and convenience....

After Berli Jucker became Big C's majority shareholder in March 2016, a series of changes were introduced. Some of these included discontinuation of unprofitable categories, investment in fresh food and the testing of new formats. After a period of consolidation, the retailer is ready to expand its network. Expansion to focus on revamped mini Big C and hypermarket Big C revamped the mini Bi...

Charoen Pokphand (CP) will acquire Modern Sevel, the controlling company of the 7-Eleven Indonesia convenience store outlets for IDR one trillion (US$75 million). CP Indonesia, a division of Thai conglomerate CP Group expects to complete the purchase by June this year. Indonesia's retail regulation driving key decisions Indonesia's retail landscape is highly completive, but heavily shaped...

Tesco's preliminary results for its FY2016/17 show that its Asian operations grew 4.0% at constant exchange rates and 1.8% on a LFL basis - a positive result, when compared to total group sales, which increased 1.1% at constant exchange rates and 1.0% on a LFL comparison. However, performance was mixed and slowed in H2, signalling that there is more work to do. Thailand: strong growth and port...

Tesco has made two significant changes to its leadership team, with the appointment of new CEO's for both its Asian and European businesses. Tony Hoggett to become CEO of Tesco Asia Tony Hoggett, the existing chief operating officer for Tesco in the UK, has been promoted to CEO for the retailer's Asian business. Hoggett joined Tesco in 1990 and has extensive operational experience in both t...