Shopping Centres in Bangkok, Thailand

[tirak69]

Originally Posted by nirvana

if i am not wrong, weekend fleamarket CHATUCHAT will be close soon..
due to the gov raising the rental...

can any kind soul check out when it will be close?

seems like they are open on weekdays too now.

also there are other night markets in the old bangkok area like memorial brigde market and pat klong market. the prices are cheaper than chatujak too.

[nirvana]

Originally Posted by tirak69

seems like they are open on weekdays too now.

also there are other night markets in the old bangkok area like memorial brigde market and pat klong market. the prices are cheaper than chatujak too.

wow, now chatuchat weekday also have liao...

but i went to pat long... there pricey leh..

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 8 February 2006 :-

Mikimoto (Thailand) opens at Siam Paragon

Mikimoto, the 110-year-old Japanese maker of pearl jewellery, has made a spectacular entry into the Thai jewellery market by opening a flagship store in the Siam Paragon shopping complex in the name of a new joint venture, Mikimoto (Thailand) Co Ltd.

It is Mikimoto’s biggest flagship store in Southeast Asia, occupying 180 square metres and offering a full range of jewellery, including bracelets, necklaces, rings, pens, watches, key holders and photo frames.

Mikimoto (Thailand) is a joint venture between the renowned Japanese parent company and Thailand’s Premier Diamond Cutting Co Ltd, one of the world’s leading diamond cutters.

The Thai company’s wide reputation helped to create the joint venture. It is the first time Mikimoto has joined with a local partner in a foreign market.

Premier Diamond Cutting claims to be the only company in Thailand with the ability to order raw diamonds for cutting here from Diamond Trading Co in the UK, the rough-diamond marketing arm of the De Beers Group, which serves jewellery manufacturers around the world.

Achariya Inkatanuvat, marketing manager for Mikimoto (Thailand), said that although it was just entering the Thai market, the Mikimoto brand had long been recognised in Thailand by customers ranging from teenagers to high-income earners. Product prices range from the thousands to the millions of baht.

Achiraya said the joint-venture partners planned to arrange events and workshops to educate the public on how to recognise high-quality jewellery and display the jewellery and other products on offer in the store.

It is hoped that the workshops will dispel perceptions that Mikimoto’s designs are obsolete.

The partners are not worried about intense competition - particularly within Siam Paragon - because all shops have their own character, matching different customers’ desires.

Achariya declined to reveal either the level of investment in the joint venture and its flagship store or expected revenue figures, but said both partners were confident about strong performance in their first year, because Thais were always willing to spend money on jewellery.

Nitida Asawanipont
The Nation

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

Rotiboy proves a taste sensation

By Pitsinee Jitpleecheep

Rubbing shoulders with the jet-set at elite restaurants in Bangkok isn't the only way to keep abreast of the latest dining trends. By sweating a bit and queuing in a long line you can get a bite out of the latest craze - a coffee-flavoured baked bun at a Rotiboy outlet.

Days after entering the Thai market, Rotiboy, the Malaysia-based bakery chain has became a big hit with consumers by peddling its unique buns which have a coffee aroma.

Every day, from 8 am to 9 pm, there's the same astonishing scene on Silom Road and in Siam Square. That's a long line of people waiting in front of a Rotiboy outlet for their special buns.

It takes buyers about half an hour on average to queue before they can make a purchase, and each shopper is also limited to up to 10 buns at 25 baht apiece.

Pornpen Aungkavanich, managing director of Lottyboy Khanompangob Co, the authorised franchisee of Rotiboy in Siam Square, said she opened the business after a successful partnership with an Indonesian who opened her Noodie noodle outlet in Indonesia last year.

''I had never anticipated that a bun priced at 25 baht could become a million-baht business for me. At first bite, I instantly thought about the business opportunity and bought around 200-300 buns to distribute to my friends as a trial. After all of them said they liked it, I went back to the Malaysian founder and opened our first outlet in only a few months,'' she said.

The first Rotiboy outlet opened with an investment of more than four million baht at Siam Square Soi 4 last December.

At first, consumers weren't that excited. So Ms Pornpen tried a sampling strategy. She gave away hundreds of buns to prospective customer groups, ranging from politicians to singers, businessmen and students.

Through word of mouth, demand for the buns rapidly increased and her company soon had to limit the number of buns per purchase to 10 to avoid disappointing other customers who were still in the queue.

As demand keeps rising, the company plans to open more Rotiboy outlets, with one planned for Central Plaza Lat Phrao on the third floor by the end of this month and another at Central Rama II later on. Additional outlets may open at other department stores and BTS stations.

Rotiboy is the first company to offer this type of baked bun locally. However, it expects that two rivals will soon begin offering the same kind of food as Rotiboy, targeting the same market segment in Bangkok under their own brands in the coming month.

Chalit Limpanavech, chairman of Abac University's Marketing and Communication Department, said Rotiboy could prove a case study as it demonstrates the power of the right four Ps - product innovation, price, place and promotion.


Queues for Rotiboy offerings are now a common sight at its Bangkok outlets :

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/100206_bus03.jpg

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 22 February 2006 :- : Group forecasts 11% revenue rise this year

Negotiations on a new lease for the 47.22-rai site now used by the Central Lat Phrao shopping compleSx and the Sofitel Central Hotel have yet to begin, said Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal. But executives of the Central Group of Companies, the country's largest retail chain, are optimistic that it will receive a renewal to use the land that now houses the group's most profitable shopping mall.

The 30-year lease will expire at the end of 2008.

Central Group executives discussed the issue yesterday at a briefing at which they announced a revenue target of 96 billion baht for this year, up 11% from 2005.

Mr Pongsak said he had directed the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the owner of the plot, to hire an appraisal company to assess the value of the property to find an appropriate rate to charge private concession holders.

He said it was highly possible that the SRT would call open bids to maximise returns, adding that payments to the state should be at least 10 billion baht over the length of the contract.

Suthichart Chirathivat, the Central Group's executive director who is in charge of negotiations with the SRT, said the state agency would probably allow Central to renew the land lease contract for its Lat Phrao shopping complex.

He said the group was negotiating with the SRT about rental fees and other conditions, with a conclusion expected within one year.

Central Group leased the site from the SRT in 1978 to develop a hotel and shopping complex. Under the 30-year contract, it has the first right to renew the lease after the contract expires on Dec 18, 2008.

SRT deputy governor Yuthana Tapcharoen admitted that the agency had held several informal talks with Central but had yet to reach any conclusion. Central has made proposals but the SRT says it needs to wait for the appraisal process.

However, Mr Yuthana said that under the current contract, the incumbent developer had the first right to renew the lease for at least 10 years depending on the profits it offered the SRT.

Suthichai Chirathivat, the Central Group's executive chairman, said the company should be first on the list. ''We were the first to develop this land. It's only fair that we get a chance to do it again,'' he said.

Viewing political uncertainty as short-lived, Mr Suthichai said the group had not revised its investment plan this year.

Central Group plans to spend about 16 billion baht to expand its five core businesses this year - retailing, real estate, trading and marketing, hotel and food.

7.75 billion baht will be spent to expand CentralWorld, on three new malls in Chaeng Watthana, Pattaya and Rama IX, and on renovating existing stores.

About 5.3 billion baht will be used to add new outlets of Tops supermarket, HomeWorks and Power Buy, and to renovate the Zen department store at CentralWorld. The remaining 2.9 billion baht will be used to expand the Central hotel and restaurant chains and the trading and marketing businesses. Half of the funds will come from company cash flow and the balance from a property fund.

Mr Suthichai said that the investment budget did not include an overseas expansion plan. ''We will focus on land leases for our retail projects in Vietnam and Indonesia as the first step in order to avoid a long-term commitment if [business] is not as good as we expected.''

He expressed confidence that the group's total sales this year would increase by 11% to 96 billion baht thanks to a host of positive factors such as the 5% GDP growth and government spending on megaprojects.

''What we are concerned about are persistently high oil prices and the southern violence,'' he said.

Sales of the group last year grew by 12.4% to 86.44 billion baht despite various negative factors ranging from the tsunami to bird flu, natural disasters, rising oil prices and southern violence.



The lease on the Lat Phrao site, Central's biggest earner, expires at the end of 2008.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/220206_bus01.jpg

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 22 February 2006 :- : Group forecasts 11% revenue rise this year

Negotiations on a new lease for the 47.22-rai site now used by the Central Lat Phrao shopping compleSx and the Sofitel Central Hotel have yet to begin, said Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal. But executives of the Central Group of Companies, the country's largest retail chain, are optimistic that it will receive a renewal to use the land that now houses the group's most profitable shopping mall.

The 30-year lease will expire at the end of 2008.

Central Group executives discussed the issue yesterday at a briefing at which they announced a revenue target of 96 billion baht for this year, up 11% from 2005.

Mr Pongsak said he had directed the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the owner of the plot, to hire an appraisal company to assess the value of the property to find an appropriate rate to charge private concession holders.

He said it was highly possible that the SRT would call open bids to maximise returns, adding that payments to the state should be at least 10 billion baht over the length of the contract.

Suthichart Chirathivat, the Central Group's executive director who is in charge of negotiations with the SRT, said the state agency would probably allow Central to renew the land lease contract for its Lat Phrao shopping complex.

He said the group was negotiating with the SRT about rental fees and other conditions, with a conclusion expected within one year.

Central Group leased the site from the SRT in 1978 to develop a hotel and shopping complex. Under the 30-year contract, it has the first right to renew the lease after the contract expires on Dec 18, 2008.

SRT deputy governor Yuthana Tapcharoen admitted that the agency had held several informal talks with Central but had yet to reach any conclusion. Central has made proposals but the SRT says it needs to wait for the appraisal process.

However, Mr Yuthana said that under the current contract, the incumbent developer had the first right to renew the lease for at least 10 years depending on the profits it offered the SRT.

Suthichai Chirathivat, the Central Group's executive chairman, said the company should be first on the list. ''We were the first to develop this land. It's only fair that we get a chance to do it again,'' he said.

Viewing political uncertainty as short-lived, Mr Suthichai said the group had not revised its investment plan this year.

Central Group plans to spend about 16 billion baht to expand its five core businesses this year - retailing, real estate, trading and marketing, hotel and food.

7.75 billion baht will be spent to expand CentralWorld, on three new malls in Chaeng Watthana, Pattaya and Rama IX, and on renovating existing stores.

About 5.3 billion baht will be used to add new outlets of Tops supermarket, HomeWorks and Power Buy, and to renovate the Zen department store at CentralWorld. The remaining 2.9 billion baht will be used to expand the Central hotel and restaurant chains and the trading and marketing businesses. Half of the funds will come from company cash flow and the balance from a property fund.

Mr Suthichai said that the investment budget did not include an overseas expansion plan. ''We will focus on land leases for our retail projects in Vietnam and Indonesia as the first step in order to avoid a long-term commitment if [business] is not as good as we expected.''

He expressed confidence that the group's total sales this year would increase by 11% to 96 billion baht thanks to a host of positive factors such as the 5% GDP growth and government spending on megaprojects.

''What we are concerned about are persistently high oil prices and the southern violence,'' he said.

Sales of the group last year grew by 12.4% to 86.44 billion baht despite various negative factors ranging from the tsunami to bird flu, natural disasters, rising oil prices and southern violence.



The lease on the Lat Phrao site, Central's biggest earner, expires at the end of 2008.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/220206_bus01.jpg

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 22 February 2006 :- : Group forecasts 11% revenue rise this year

Negotiations on a new lease for the 47.22-rai site now used by the Central Lat Phrao shopping compleSx and the Sofitel Central Hotel have yet to begin, said Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal. But executives of the Central Group of Companies, the country's largest retail chain, are optimistic that it will receive a renewal to use the land that now houses the group's most profitable shopping mall.

The 30-year lease will expire at the end of 2008.

Central Group executives discussed the issue yesterday at a briefing at which they announced a revenue target of 96 billion baht for this year, up 11% from 2005.

Mr Pongsak said he had directed the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the owner of the plot, to hire an appraisal company to assess the value of the property to find an appropriate rate to charge private concession holders.

He said it was highly possible that the SRT would call open bids to maximise returns, adding that payments to the state should be at least 10 billion baht over the length of the contract.

Suthichart Chirathivat, the Central Group's executive director who is in charge of negotiations with the SRT, said the state agency would probably allow Central to renew the land lease contract for its Lat Phrao shopping complex.

He said the group was negotiating with the SRT about rental fees and other conditions, with a conclusion expected within one year.

Central Group leased the site from the SRT in 1978 to develop a hotel and shopping complex. Under the 30-year contract, it has the first right to renew the lease after the contract expires on Dec 18, 2008.

SRT deputy governor Yuthana Tapcharoen admitted that the agency had held several informal talks with Central but had yet to reach any conclusion. Central has made proposals but the SRT says it needs to wait for the appraisal process.

However, Mr Yuthana said that under the current contract, the incumbent developer had the first right to renew the lease for at least 10 years depending on the profits it offered the SRT.

Suthichai Chirathivat, the Central Group's executive chairman, said the company should be first on the list. ''We were the first to develop this land. It's only fair that we get a chance to do it again,'' he said.

Viewing political uncertainty as short-lived, Mr Suthichai said the group had not revised its investment plan this year.

Central Group plans to spend about 16 billion baht to expand its five core businesses this year - retailing, real estate, trading and marketing, hotel and food.

7.75 billion baht will be spent to expand CentralWorld, on three new malls in Chaeng Watthana, Pattaya and Rama IX, and on renovating existing stores.

About 5.3 billion baht will be used to add new outlets of Tops supermarket, HomeWorks and Power Buy, and to renovate the Zen department store at CentralWorld. The remaining 2.9 billion baht will be used to expand the Central hotel and restaurant chains and the trading and marketing businesses. Half of the funds will come from company cash flow and the balance from a property fund.

Mr Suthichai said that the investment budget did not include an overseas expansion plan. ''We will focus on land leases for our retail projects in Vietnam and Indonesia as the first step in order to avoid a long-term commitment if [business] is not as good as we expected.''

He expressed confidence that the group's total sales this year would increase by 11% to 96 billion baht thanks to a host of positive factors such as the 5% GDP growth and government spending on megaprojects.

''What we are concerned about are persistently high oil prices and the southern violence,'' he said.

Sales of the group last year grew by 12.4% to 86.44 billion baht despite various negative factors ranging from the tsunami to bird flu, natural disasters, rising oil prices and southern violence.



The lease on the Lat Phrao site, Central's biggest earner, expires at the end of 2008.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/220206_bus01.jpg

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 24 February 2006 :-

Fashion Island to continue revamp

The decade-old Fashion Island shopping complex on Ram-Indra Road announced yesterday that it would continue the face-lift it has been undergoing for two years.

"We've entered our third year of major renovation, which is set to make us a more modern and more dynamic shopping mall," said Prasert Sriuranpong, vice president of marketing and business development for Siam Retail Development Co Ltd, which operates the shopping centre.

He said the firm would pour Bt150 million this year alone into renovations, after already spending more than Bt200 million.

He said Fashion Island's business strategy would revolve around improvements to make the complex even more attractive to a wider variety of shoppers.

He said this year's renovation work would focus on four main areas: rezoning, introducing new zones, introducing new outlets and upgrading facilities.

"All four of our floors will be rezoned. Restaurants, educational products and household appliances will be grouped on the basement level. Fashion and fast-food outlets will be on the ground floor. The second floor will feature mobile-phone shops, services and banking outlets, more fashion and beauty salons. And furniture, home decorations, a cinema, a bowling alley, an amusement area, IT, Sport City and a food court will all be housed on the third floor," said Prasert.

New zones will be introduced, including a 1,220-square-metre education zone. A new 657-square-metre fashion and ornaments zone will open in May.

"We've transformed our 3,000-square-metre multipurpose hall on the third floor into a new indoor sports stadium that can serve as a venue for any type of indoor competition."


Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 3 March 2006 :-

Retail chains expect stable sales growth : Up to 15% expansion similar to last year

Listed retail chains say they expect their growth this year to range from 12% to 15%, on par with 2005. Executives of the Big C Supercenter, C.P. Seven Eleven and Siam Makro chains all said they would continue to use similar strategies as in 2005, including the addition of new stores and services, renovation of existing stores, cost-saving steps, customer relationship management (CRM) programmes and merchandise adjustment.

Rumpa Kumhomreun, Big C's chief financial officer, said Big C planned to spend three billion baht to open four new stores including outlets in Phrae and Ratchaburi, and to upgrade 11 existing branches this year. With more outlets, the Big C network will number 49 stores by the end of this year.

Praphan Eamrungroj, the company's senior vice-president for properties, said Big C would open new stores in the provinces because the market demand in Bangkok had peaked for the time being.

''Although our business is not particularly vulnerable to changes in the economy, we're more concerned about the unclear policy on retail zoning, which has to date limited our business expansion,'' said Mr Praphan.

However, the company believes its performance this year will be at least on par with last year's thanks to sales from new stores and strategies to build customer loyalty including an improved shopping atmosphere and cross merchandising.

More importantly, the company will reduce its logistics and energy costs to be able to offer cheap products.

Big C's net profit last year rose 17.6% 1.88 billion baht on revenue of 53.19 billion baht, up 12.2%, thanks to the expansion of its chain and cost controls.

Its shares closed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday at 33 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 459,000 baht.

Meanwhile, Siam Makro Plc, the sole cash-and-carry operator in Thailand, reported a 2.6% rise in net profit to 1.13 billion baht last year on consolidated sales of 50.41 billion baht, up 12.9%.

Suchada Ittijarukul, managing director of Siam Makro Plc, attributed the growth to a new strategy of remodelling its existing outlets by allocating bigger space to fresh food. Additionally, the higher sales revenue also derived from Siam Food Services Limited whose sales were consolidated.

Like Big C, Siam Makro has suspended plans to open new outlets in Bangkok until the zoning law for the retail business is clear.

However, Ms Suchada said it would invest in 2006 the same amount as last year to remodel its two stores in Surin and Ubon Ratchathani. Moreover, it will focus on research and CRM strategies to enhance customer satisfaction.

Shares of Siam Makro closed yesterday at 80 baht, up five baht in trade worth 31.50 million.

Pittaya Jiaravisithkul, chief executive of C.P. Seven-Eleven Plc, forecast that industry-wide 13 discount stores, 30-40 supermarkets, over 200 mini-supermarkets and 100-200 convenience stores would be added this year. For its part, 7-Eleven plans to open 400-500 outlets this year.

Shares of CP7-11 closed at 6.60 baht, up 10 satang, in trade worth 16.07 million baht.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 3 March 2006 :-

Ethan Allen opens in Bangkok

The American luxury furniture brand Ethan Allen has opened its first showroom in Southeast Asia in Bangkok with a target to generate 60 million baht in sales in its first year and 15% annual growth. Ethan Allen, launched in the United States in 1932, has more than 300 stores worldwide with Asian outlets in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Marc Dasilva, general manager of JS Home Interiors Plc, a subsidiary of the Jaspal Group, said the company wanted to bring its products to Thailand a decade ago but the country faced an economic crisis at that time.

He said the Thai economy now had recovered to the point where demand would match Ethan Allen products, especially among affluent buyers.

The company estimates the market value for luxury home furnishings at 500 million baht.

''Thai people have a great fancy for fashion and product style. Numerous high-end real estate projects have recently been completed or will be completed in the near future with many others still in the early stages of development,'' said Mr Dasilva.

''These real estate development projects are a leading indicator for the furnishings industry and we expect to capture a large share of this market.''

The first showroom, representing an investment of 80 million baht, is located on Sukhumvit Road.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 3 March 2006 :-

Big C to pump Bt2 bn into four new stores

Big C Supercentre Plc will invest more than Bt3 billion this year, with about Bt2 billion to be spent on opening four discount stores.

"We will also allocate Bt1 billion to renovate our existing stores. About 11 Big C branches will enter the renovation process and four to five stores, such as Wong Sawang [in Bangkok], will undergo major work," Praphan Eamrungroj, senior vice president for properties, said yesterday.

Two Big Cs will open in Phrae and Ratchaburi in the middle of the year and two more, also upcountry, by year-end.

The Phrae property will be a compact model with retail space of 5,800 square metres, while Ratchaburi will follow a standard format with 9,000-10,000 square metres.

Casino Group of France owns 63 per cent of Big C Supercentre. Central Retail Corp, Thailand's largest retail conglomerate, owns the rest. The company operates 45 stores, of which 24 are in Bangkok.

The renovated stores will take about three and a half years to show a return on investment.

Chief financial officer Rumpa Kumhomreun said five store launches - in Omyai, Phetkasem, Sukhapiban, Ekamai [all in Bangkok] and Sakon Nakhon - had helped boost revenues by 12.2 per cent to Bt53.1 billion last year.

"Despite the economic downturn and many difficulties such as higher petrol prices, which made consumers more cautious about spending money, Big C was able to meet its profit target for the year," Rumpa said.

Revenue from renting out space to tenants rose 19.6 per cent to Bt6.38 billion.

Net income was up 17.6 per cent to Bt1.8 billion last year, while selling and administration expenses rose by 12.8 per cent to Bt8.6 billion.

This year's focus will be on improving logistics while controlling energy costs.

"We will expand space at our distribution centre in Wang Noi [in Ayutthaya] from 30,000 square metres currently to 40,000 square metres this year, and up to 50,000 next year. The expansion will raise the capacity of the distribution centre to handle dry food products by 70 per cent," she said.

"We would like to reduce our logistics costs by at least 5 per cent this year," she added.

A back-haul system has been implemented to ensure that Big C's delivery trucks pick up suppliers' shipments on the way back to the distribution centre rather than return empty.

The country's second-ranked hypermarket chain will handle transportation of fresh and dry foods with 18-wheel trucks. The trucks will be packed full for every delivery to stores to reduce transport costs.

Big C has created an energy-saving programme aimed at reducing all energy costs. The company would this year spend Bt109 million to install energy-saving equipment at its stores including ozone treatment systems, light-saving controllers and equipment to ensure efficient use of electricity.

"The energy-saving equipment will generate Bt38.5 million of annual return and the payback period will be almost three years," she said.

Jariya Chirathivat, vice president for marketing and communications, said this year's marketing strategy was directed at building brand loyalty to retain long-term customers. The company will continue to concentrate on Big C's core value of being the low-price leader in the marketplace.


Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation

[trek2]

Originally Posted by nirvana

wow, now chatuchat weekday also have liao...
but i went to pat long... there pricey leh..

Heard this place Plantinum is kinda like wholesale centre where all the good bargain are.
Anyone checked this place out ?
Quite a big place too, near Amariwater gate hotel area...

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 6 March 2006 :-

Bakeries battle for market share : Rising popularity of coffee-flavoured buns

As the fad for coffee and green tea fades, coffee-flavoured buns from Singapore and Malaysia are gaining in popularity.

Seven brands from Thailand's neighbours have been launched in the last three months: Crystal Jade, My Bread, Bread Talk, Roti Boy, Mr Bun and Papa Roti. Roti Boy has become a local phenomenon.

Also jumping on the bandwagon is Coffee Dome, with hot-selling pastries from its first outlet on the ground floor of the Carrefour hypermarket's Rama IV branch.

Fast Freight and Forward Co was set up to run Coffee Dome outlets in Thailand with registered capital of two million baht.

The former chief operating officer of the Singaporean bakery brand Roti Mom is leading the venture with a group of Thai electronics and IT entrepreneurs.

Kelvin Goh, who is now marketing director of Fast Freight & Forward Co, said the company would initially import frozen dough from Singapore for processing in Thailand.

However, it plans to produce its own dough at a bakery in Chanthaburi starting next month.

Business is likely to be brisk for Coffee Dome. Since it opened, more than 3,500 buns have been snapped up each day _ and customers have no qualms about waiting in line for the snacks.

Following the positive response, the company plans to open between 40 and 50 more Coffee Dome outlets throughout the country, including Pattaya and Nakhon Ratchasima.

But if one can't wait, Coffee Dome products can also be found in some Carrefour, Tesco Lotus and Tesco Lotus Express outlets and at all outlets of The Mall department stores.

To increase customer satisfaction, the company also plans to offer a delivery service at some Tesco Lotus express outlets.

Asked whether the popularity of coffee-flavoured buns was just a fad, Mr Goh said: ''Although coffee and bread may not be every Thai's ideal way to start the day, the popularity of the two products has continuously increased.

''Our products are made from a combination of both, so demand for coffee buns is not just a fad.''

Apart from opening in the local market, the company plans to sell franchises in Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Also making a grab for a portion of the market is President Bakery Plc, the manufacturer of Farmhouse bread.

Managing director Apichart Thammanomai said the company was interested in expanding via retail channels to get closer to customers, rather than using a wholesale approach.

To cash in on market demand for fresh bakery goods, President Bakery opened its first Farmhouse Fresh outlet in the Asok area earlier this year.

Its approach to products is similar to Roti Boy's, but it claims its products are different and more varied.

The company plans to open five Farmhouse Fresh outlets in Bangkok this year.

Mr Apichart said the company would also expand its wholesale business in 2006 and it would relaunch its logo soon to reaffirm its brand image.

President says its business isn't threatened by the new market entries, and expects operations to grow this year by 18%, on par with 2005.

Sales of President Bakery last year increased 18.7% to 2.14 billion baht with a 42.2% increase in net profit to 191.49 million baht.

President Bakery shares closed on Friday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 89 baht, up four baht, in trade worth 535,000 baht.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 7 March 2006 :-

Optimistic future for Siam Paragon : Poor consumer sentiment a challenge

Siam Paragon executives say their sales in the first quarter of this year are on target and revenue is likely to stay on track for the whole year thanks to loyal customers and foreign tourists.

Natsamon Vongkittipat, assistant chief marketing officer for Siam Paragon and The Emporium department store, said Siam Paragon would mimic The Emporium's success by increasing the number of regular shoppers to at least 50% of the total, compared to only 30% at present.

The number of regular customers is expected to increase when Siam Paragon raises the number of Platinum and Prestige cardholders, which now total 510,000 altogether.

The Emporium is owned by The Mall group, which also owns a 50% stake in Siam Paragon.

According to a market survey conducted by The Emporium, regular customers visited The Emporium once a week and spent about 3,000 baht.

"Business at The Emporium shows sustainable growth despite negative factors, because of a strong customer loyalty," said Mrs Natsamon.

To enhance business stability, The Emporium plans to increase the number of foreign tourists with a privilege programme by linking up with airlines, hotels, inbound tour agencies and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Mrs Natsamon said The Emporium and Siam Paragon had not been affected by political uncertainty so far.

However, she expressed concerns about poor consumer sentiment which could result in a delay in purchasing this summer, a peak sales period.

To combat this, The Emporium and Siam Paragon have teamed up with strategic partners including HSBC, Cathay Pacific Airways, SFX Cinema and Paragon Cineplex on an 80-million baht campaign entitled, "South Africa Jo'burg Passion" , to boost customer spending from March 10 to April 16.

The campaign includes customer discount coupons, overseas trips and movie tickets. It should boost sales at both shopping outlets in the first three months of this year to 4.5 billion baht combined. Of the total, 1.8 billion baht would come from The Emporium with the balance from Siam Paragon.

Mrs Natsamon said in Siam Paragon's first three months its sales volume was on target. About 60% of its shoppers were Thai and 40% foreign tourists from markets including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, China and Singapore.

Sales momentum at Siam Paragon has kept growing continuously and the luxury shopping centre recorded 20% growth in February, compared with January.

For the entire year, she said, sales at Siam Paragon were on track to reach 10 billion baht, compared with seven billion baht at The Emporium.

Mrs Natsamon expects that the retail industry will grow by 10% this year, compared with 12% last year because political uncertainty would affect consumer purchasing power, particularly for medium-and low-end goods.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 7 March 2006 :-

Siam Paragon targets more international customers

Siam Paragon, The Mall group's high-end shopping complex, is planning to create brand awareness among foreigners, mainly from Asia and Europe, to achieve its goal as a major travel destination in Bangkok.

Natsamon Vongkittipat, assistant chief marketing officer of Siam Paragon and Emporium, said yesterday Siam Paragon would have to set aside funds from its current marketing budget for the project. The spending plans have yet to be finalised.

The shopping complex plans to work closely with "strategic partners" to arrange co-promotions as well as exploit its partners' customer networks to attract more international customers from target countries, mainly in Europe and Asia. Some of the partners include HSBC Bank and Cathay Pacific Airways.

Natsamon said Siam Paragon had been trying to attract international tourists. It is working with approximately 10 travel agencies to bring their customers to shop at Siam Paragon. It has also been working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and many organisations to include Siam Paragon among their venue lists for holding major events and conferences.

International customers account for 40 per cent of the shopping centre's customers: Singaporeans, Japanese, Koreans, and Hong Kongers are its main international customers, said Natsamon.

She said that although the company was focusing on creating brand awareness among international tourists, local customers were always its priority and were also more reliable when something unexpected occurs. Still, it wants to increase the number of customers from both groups.

The current political environment is an example of something unexpected. The issue hasn't affected shopping complexes in terms of sales and numbers of international tourists, yet, she claimed.

Natsamon said most of the mall's local customers were also concerned about politics. But if prolonged it would definitely affect consumers, which will lead to a reduction in sales. Average spending per buying customer is Bt3,000 per visit.

Siam Paragon's performance in the first two months of this year was "satisfactory". She said the shopping complex's tenants would generate Bt4.5 billion in sales in the first quarter of this year.

Siam Paragon and The Emporium have also joined with HSBC Bank, Cathay Pacific Airways, and SFX Cinema to organise a summer campaign called "South Africa Jo'burg Passion" from March 10 to April 16.


Nitida Asawanipont
The Nation