Thailand news & analysis

Big C’s new strategy of focusing on the quality of sales is showing evidence of progress. Focusing on quality of sales and margin Big C’s total revenue for the quarter reached Bht25.9bn (US$739m), a decline of 18.3% over the same period last year. This decrease was driven by a retail sales decline of 20.0%, due to negative like-for-like of 22.6% for Q3. Meanwhile, its total expenses decre...

FamilyMart’s Thailand operator Central FamilyMart plans to open over 800 stores within next five years. Double the number of FamilyMart stores Central FamilyMart has announced that it aims to double the number of its convenience stores in Thailand from 1,116 to more than 2,000 by 2021. This is a clear attempt to upscale FamilyMart’s operation in Thailand, where the brand faces strong compet...

Tesco has reported 2016/17 H1 results for its international operations up 3.2% at constant exchange rates, with sales in Asia growing the strongest at 4.9%. Tesco's recovery in Asia continues to build momentum Tesco's Asian operations grew just 1.3% in its last financial year, with a significant improvement in H2. However, the retailer has managed to continue this momentum into 2016/17 ...

Tesco Lotus and Lazada are trying to get customers outside Bangkok to try out online shopping by introducing online shopping kiosks in some of their Express and Talad convenience stores outside the city. Strong online growth drives new development Tesco Lotus has just installed a bunch of Lazada kiosks in their Tesco Lotus Express and Talad shops and if successful, it plans to introduce the...

Grocery delivery platform HappyFresh has decided to exit the Philippines and Taiwan and will focus on other core Asian markets, after its Series B funding round. Consolidate market focus for profitability The Jakarta-based company HappyFresh has decided to close its business in Taiwan and the Philippines. Instead, it will concentrate on its three other markets: Indonesia, Malaysia and Thail...

Big C Thailand has appointed Mr. Aswin Techajareonvikul to the position of CEO and President, effective on  1 September 2016. TCC Group to strengthen leadership TCC Group acquired Big C Thailand from French retailer Casino earlier this year. The decision to replace Mr. James Alfred Scott with Mr. Aswin Techajareonvikul as the company’s CEO and President is a sign of TCC group strengtheni...

Chairman of TCC Thailand, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi has reportedly revealed a plan to merge Metro Vietnam to Big C Thailand. Maga Market to expand in Thailand Mega Market Vietnam (new name of Metro Vietnam as from July 2016) is planning to invest in Thailand to expand its wholesale network. Mega Market Vietnam has 19 wholesale centres throughout the country as well as two depots for fresh v...

Big C Thailand has reported a revenue decline in H1 caused by decrease in retail sales of 1.3%. Like-for-like growth was a negative 2.9% and 4.0% in Q1 and Q2 respectively. Re-launching price commitment and pursuing quality of sales In Q1, the retailer re-launched its price commitment to strengthen its price perception. It consists of 5 price commitments: Price guaranteed promotions P...

CP All, Thai operator of 7-Eleven and Siam Makro, reported  strong 2Q results -  total revenue rose 14 percent from a year earlier to THB 114.6bn (USD 3.3bn) and like-for-like increased by 5 percent, versus 2.6 percent in 1Q. On track with network expansion CP All, which operates more than 9,200 7-Eleven stores in Thailand, had a target of 700 new stores this year and a total of 10,000 stor...

Charoen Pokphand Food, part of Thailand’s largest conglomerate CP Group, has rolled out a new concept store called Magnet Semi Wholesale by CP, which is a hybrid of convenience and wholesale formats. A smaller format to serve local communities Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) that established the CP Fresh Mart chain 12 years ago has launched the new store format in Chiang Mai. The concept o...