Tag: bangkok

  • Jaspal Thailand concept store opens at IconSiam

    Jaspal Thailand concept store opens at IconSiam

    New 460sqm boutique at IconSiam was designed by Milan-based Studiopepe. A new Jaspal concept store has opened at IconSiam in Bangkok, designed by Milan-based Studiopepe and featuring local materials.

    The 460sqm flagship store is the Thai fashion label’s largest to date and provides a contemporary backdrop to Jaspal’s collections using contrasting materials. The store uses large columns affixed with handmade ceramics and a tile motif that extends throughout the retail area in an homage to traditional local craftsmanship while still sticking close to the brand’s colour scheme.

    “The concept is based on the interpretation of the free plan, a fluid and continuous design that incorporates different spaces without setting any barriers,” the studio explained, in a profile published by Dezeen.

    “The repetition of vertical lines contrasts the soft forms of the furnishings, while rough materials are juxtaposed with glossy and lacquered surfaces.”

    Mannequins are positioned to appear to have climbed a circular display of ladder-like shelves in one part of the store and the fitting room area features diamond-shaped natural wood blocks on the walls to create a graphic 3D look.

    The brand marked the opening featuring its limited edition collaboration with London-based artist Lynnie Z, one of a series of partnerships between Jaspal and global artists to ensure that unique styles emerge each season.

  • Thailand’s Siam Piwat scoops honours at the World Retail Congress

    Thailand’s Siam Piwat scoops honours at the World Retail Congress

    Thai shopping centre operator receives accolades at World Retail Congress.

    Thai retail developer Siam Piwat has scooped two retail industry awards at the World Retail Congress recently held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

    Siam Piwat is the owner and operator of several successful Thai retail developments, including Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, as well as the joint venture partner of IconSiam – the US$1.7 billion riverside landmark destination that opened in Bangkok last November.

    Siam Piwat Group CEO Chadatip Chutrakul was inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame by the World Retail Congress as one of the four new members selected in 2019.

    The inductees were selected because their “ideas have shaped retailing through the businesses and brands they have created, or by their skills in running the retail industry’s giants, demonstrated clear vision, courage and determination to make their dreams a reality”.

    The World Retail Hall of Fame was established in 2007 to honour the retail industry’s most innovative and influential representatives.

    The World Retail Congress also awarded IconSiam, in which Siam Piwat Group is a joint venture partner, the top prize of Store Design of the Year 2019 as part of the annual World Retail Awards.

    The Grand Jury of the World Retail Awards said IconSiam is “breathtaking in its scope and scale and takes retail design into the future”.

    “Throughout 60 years, Siam Piwat has been a thought leader creating new prototypes and bringing new formats that have advanced the retail development sector in Thailand,” said Chutrakul. IconSiam shows that bricks and mortar still have a crucial part to play in successful retailing, and they are assets only waiting to be differently leveraged within a new paradigm. That new paradigm involves leveraging a very wide group of stakeholders by creating shared value for them all.”

    According to Chutrakul, IconSiam, with a gross floor area of 750,000sqm made the creation of shared value into a “business sustainability” strategy to help the success of such a large-scale initiative that requires the collaboration of many different groups.

    “Our achievements were made possible because of the collaboration and co-creation of our tenants and retailers,” she said. “The benefits created by IconSiam also go beyond our tenant partners to many different stakeholders at many different levels of society including artists, craftsmen, performers, small enterprises, the surrounding communities and even the city of Bangkok, too.

    “For small businesses and artisans, we help them flourish and prosper by creating for them opportunities for new linkages, locally and globally; we help artisans, craftsmen or performers have a place on a globally visible stage to enhance the sustainability of their livelihoods, and we act as a platform that makes Thai values and all that is great about Thailand visible to the world.

    “Also, in the SookSiam zone at IconSiam, you can see how it brings together hundreds of small, mom-and-pop operations from Thailand’s 77 provinces – people who have mostly never operated out of their hometowns but are now selling on a global platform.”

    Chutrakul noted that “IconSiam has also had a transformative effect on the Chao Phraya River. We acted as a catalyst for a multi-stakeholder collaboration that embraced riverside communities, hoteliers, river-transport operators, sites of historical and cultural importance, and government agencies, which is already helping to revitalise many districts around IconSiam.”

  • King Power Bangkok airport retail monopoly to stretch longer

    King Power Bangkok airport retail monopoly to stretch longer

    Hopes of opening up the duty-free and retail monopoly at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport have been dashed after Airports of Thailand (AOT) announced the incumbent operator had lodged the highest bid to retain the business.

    While still subject to final ratification by the AOT board, King Power has effectively bought a monopoly on duty-free business at the airport for another decade.

    King Power Duty Free has held the rights since the airport opened in 2006, and was competing to continue when the current contract expires next year through until 2031.

    “The company that scored the highest is King Power Duty Free Company and the winner offered the highest return than what AOT has received before and higher than AOT estimate (sic),” said Wichai Bunyu, senior executive VP at AOT, in a statement.

    Two rival bidders were hoping for a share of the action in what is a lucrative monopoly with prices unmonitored or regulated. The losing bidders were a joint venture between Bangkok Airways and South Korea’s Lotte, and another involving Royal Orchid Hotel Thailand, Empire Asia Group and a subsidiary of World Duty Free Group.

    Leading Thai retail business Central Group and Minor International did not submit bids before the deadline.

    Having selected the winning bidder, the appointment process is a mere formality, subject to ratification of AOT’s remuneration committee next week. According to Reuters, that will decide the technical score and revenue King Power would share with AOT before the board of directors officially approves the winner on June 19.

    The Thai government had ordered a review of duty-free auction period amid monopoly concerns after more than a decade of dominance by King Power. But that apparently had no effect.

    The winning bidders to operate duty-free shops at Chang Mai, Hat Yai and Phuket airports were expected to be released today (June 3) with King Power almost certain to win those contracts as well.

  • Reebonz launches buy-back guarantee Program in Thailand

    Reebonz launches buy-back guarantee Program in Thailand

    Online luxury marketplace Reebonz has launched a guaranteed buy-back program in Thailand.

    The service, which applies to leather goods and jewellery, gives customers a guaranteed price that the company will pay to buy back products initially sold on its platform.

    Customers will be offered currency, called Reebonz Credits, that can be used for future purchases on the platform.

    Pre-owned jewellery from selected brands such as Chanel, Harry Winston, Hermes, and Christian Dior, among others, will be eligible.

    Daniel Lim, Reebonz co-founder and CPO, said the company hopes to further expand its services across new geographies and categories, giving customers even more ways to engage with the brand. “We truly believe we can be a one-stop ecosystem for everyone’s luxury needs.”

    The guarantee is now available in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and the US.

    Headquartered in Singapore, Reebonz is a C2C platform that allows customers to buy and sell their pre-owned items to a community of more than 5.5 million members.

  • Centara kicks off 36th anniversary with epic 36-dayglobal celebration

    Centara kicks off 36th anniversary with epic 36-dayglobal celebration

     Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is marking its 36th anniversary milestone with a 36-day worldwide customer-focused celebration tied to the company’s 1983 founding. On this occasion, it also marks the 36th anniversary of Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, the first hotel of the group, together with the 10th anniversary of Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya.

    Thirty-six years ago, Thailand’s first shopping centre mega-mall development, Central Plaza, rose from a suburban construction site on Bangkok’s Ladprao Road, complete with a brand new 5-star hotel that launched the Central Group’s hotel business with one of the Group’s largest investment commitments.

    From its first hotel in Ladprao, Centara has grown and prospered. Today, 70 Centara properties with six distinctive brands are operational or under development across 12 countries, and the company is well on its way to doubling its global portfolio by 2022.

    Centara will kick off the 36th anniversary celebration by rolling out a series of enticing offers, attractive promotions and lucky draws on 3rd June 2019, all featuring a special “36” theme. Guests should look out for the following limited-time deals:

    Every Third Night For Just THB 36 – For 36 days (3rd June to 9th July 2019), travellers will be able to stay with Centara for just THB 36. Under this amazing offer, guests who book a minimum three-night stay at any Centara hotel or resort worldwide – including five-star Centara Grand resorts in Thailand and the Maldives – will be able to pay just THB 36 for their third night.

    Lucky Stay E-Voucher – For seven days from 14th to 20th June 2019, guests will be able to book rooms at selected Centara hotels for one set price (only THB 3,600 per night) and enjoy sublime stays with a higher value. This generous offer is valid for room nights worth more than THB 4,500 and available for stays taken up until 31st October 2019.

    Cash Bonus Spending Credit: THB 3,600 for More! – The 36th anniversary celebrations will make your Centara stays even more rewarding this summer. Guests who purchase a stored value credit of THB 3,600 between 21st and 27th June will see its value instantly boosted to THB 5,500. Use the credit to pay for spa treatments, hotel dining and much more.

    LINE Coupons: Exclusive Deals for THB 36 and THB 360 – Sip, snack or feast for less with a series of tantalising weekly coupons. For 36 days (3rd June to 9thJuly), Centara will reveal a series of fantastic F&B deals on LINE, the social media app. Grab a coffee, bakery and other snacks for as little as THB 36, or a relaxing 40-minute massage at spa Cenvaree for just THB 360.

    10 Year Travel in Style Challenge: Photo Competition – Compete in the 10 Year Travel in Style Challenge with Centara, or the 36 Year Challenge if you dare. Guests who post their “now and then” throwback travel photos and use hashtag #36CentaraThrowback could win one of 36 prizes, including one grand prize — a sensational five-night holiday at Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, including transfers.

    Exclusive Privilege for Centara The1 – Our Photo Challenge is twice as enticing for members of Centara The1. All Centara The1 member prize winners will also receive 3,600 Centara The1 points, on top of their main prize. To help our winners make the most of their points, Centara will be offering free night redemptions for just 6,363 points at select hotels for a limited time.

    And that’s not all. Guests who stay with Centara during the 36-day anniversary period will be offered the chance to enter a Check-In Lucky Draw. Guests can win on-the-spot prizes including spa treatments, bottles of wine, celebratory cakes, special discounts and more.

    Since it first entered the hospitality industry 36 years ago, Centara has developed a strong reputation for blending gracious Thai-style hospitality with world-class accommodation and exceptional amenities. Now, with an expanded collection of innovative brands, Centara is aiming to write the next exciting chapter in our history, with the goal of doubling our global portfolio by 2022.

    For more information about Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit https://36.centarahotels.com

  • Boots Chain Closing Down 200 Stores

    Boots Chain Closing Down 200 Stores

    The Boots chain of health & beauty stores is looking to cull as many as 200 outlets in its home UK market as its US parent embarks on a strategic review.

    Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) says the Boots business saw profits fall 20 percent to £398 million for the year to August 31. Sales slipped 0.8 percent to £6.7 billion during the period.

    Many of the Boots chain stores would close when their current leases expire. Others which are performing badly, would be shuttered more quickly, especially in smaller towns where there are two stores operating yet one would suffice.

    WBA will review the future of 2500 stores worldwide, including about 200 in the UK, which is equivalent to about 10 percent of Boots’ local network.

    Patrick O’Brien, UK retail-research director at GlobalData, said the Boots closures are overdue.

    “It has taken Boots a long time to address the midmarket squeeze that has wrought so much damage to major multichannel retailers in other sectors such as food, fashion and department stores. Shoppers have been trading down to discounters, and trading up to higher-end retailers for more expensive treats and gifts,” he said.

    “Like Tesco and M&S it has actually been in this predicament for years, but unlike them, it has done little to address the issue until very recently, and now we have to wonder if Boots has left it too late to halt its market share decline.”

    O’Brien said a long-term lack of investment in stores has become more noticeable to shoppers.

    “Its dated approach also extends to pricing, where multi-buy promotions and a generous loyalty scheme have made its shelf edge prices uncompetitive with discounters such as Aldi, Lidl and Savers, who have all been eating into its market share in health & beauty,” he concluded.

  • Network expansion boosts Berli Jucker Profit

    Network expansion boosts Berli Jucker Profit

    Berli Jucker, the operator of Thailand’s Big C retail stores, has reported revenue of THB30.9 billion (US$979 million) in the first quarter, gaining THB1.6 billion (US$50.5 million) over the same period last year.

    Network expansion was the main driver of the revenue growth, reported IGD, with 27 Mini Big C stores opening during the quarter, more than compensating for the closure of 13 convenience stores.

    The company’s gross-profit margin decreased from 16.3 per cent to 15.9 per cent due to lower business-to-business sales.

    Net profit declined 2.3 per cent due to increased staff costs due to store expansion and yearly bonuses, together with increased store-opening and closing expenses and rising utility prices.

    As at the end of March, the company had 147 hypermarkets, 61 supermarkets, 797 Mini Big C and 140 Pure drugstores trading.

    Like-for-like sales grew 1 per cent year on year while other income including rental increased 4.7 per cent over the same period, reported IGD.

  • Singapore Payments Startup InstaReM Partners Thai Banking Group

    Singapore Payments Startup InstaReM Partners Thai Banking Group

    Digital remittance company InstaReM has partnered Thai banking group Kasikornbank in an agreement that would see the Singapore startup power cross-border payments for the bank’s clients in select markets, it announced in a press release on Thursday.

    This relationship further cements InstaReM’s position as a leading provider for cross-border transactions. With InstaReM, KBank clients will be able to realize faster turnarounds, while providing certainty on delivery times and payout amounts, Prajit Nanu, co-founder and CEO of InstaReM, said.

    “This is an important partnership for KBank at an exciting stage in our evolution. We are continuing to expand our cross-border payment capabilities into key markets across the world, as we are witnessing increasing demand from our customers.

    Kasikornbank is Thailand’s second-largest and Southeast Asia’s eighth-largest bank in terms of total assets, at $96.9 billion, according to data from Forbes. At $14.5 billion, it is also the country’s largest bank in terms of market capitalization.

    InstaReM, which has a presence in 40+ countries in Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe enables low-cost cross-border payments to 55+ countries. It has enhanced its payments capabilities by partnering global payments leaders like Ripple, Visa and First Data.

    In March, the firm announced the close of its $41-million Series C funding round, which will be used to support growth and expansion to new markets, including opening a regional headquarters in Latin America and expanding its teams in London and Seattle, the firm said. This brings the total funding InstaReM has raised to $59.5 million since it started operations in 2015.

    It is expected to receive licenses for Japan and Indonesia later this year, and continues to prepare for an initial public offering, planned for 2021.

  • Yum China eyes Thailand with A Fresh Hotpot Concept

    Yum China eyes Thailand with A Fresh Hotpot Concept

    Yum China looks to expand Asian footprint for hot-pot restaurant brand.

    Quick-service restaurant firm Yum China Holdings is seeking entry into the Thai hotpot market, reportedly worth THB5 billion (US$156.7 million).

    The company is seeking a local partner to launch its Little Sheep Mongolian hotpot chain in the territory.

    “The food and beverage industry in Thailand is one of the most developed markets in the world,” said Yum’s senior specialist for franchise development Isa Jiang. “Thailand also has a rich history of hotpots, as well as food culture.”

    Sixty-six Little Sheep outlets opened in China last year, as well as a further 10 abroad. Seventy of the openings were franchised. The restaurant is currently operated in 300 locations across 130 cities.

    “Ma la, or Sichuan hot chillies, is growing in popularity with Thais,” said business advisory firm Gnosis MD Sethaphong Phadungpisuth, “and we believe that Little Sheep will fit well with Thai tastes.”

    “Southeast Asia and the US have the highest projections for expansion this year,” observed Jiang. “We are focusing on Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. Shabu restaurants are quite popular in Thailand, but we are confident in our key product’s characteristics, especially our meat and broth.”

  • Another Bangkok riverside mall in Development

    Another Bangkok riverside mall in Development

    Another Bangkok riverside mall is in the early stages of planning after the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) said it will develop Klong Toey land it no longer needs.

    The land is located at the Klong Toey port, not far from Bangkok’s CBD where the authority currently has about 900 rai 1.44 million sqm. PAT says it plans to use only about half that area in the future and will hand the balance over to a developer to create a landmark on the Chao Phraya River.

    The 400 rai which has become available will house retail space, a business centre and other commercial space, according to PAT director-general Kamolsak Promprayoon.

    “It will be something like IconSiam,” he said. “The format will basically be a large business city with the goal of becoming a new landmark and tourism centre in the capital that offers convenient links to river-based tourism.”

    A private company has been appointed to conduct a feasibility study on the plan.

    Meanwhile, the Thai government is preparing to progressively evict about 12,500 families who are illegally occupying a nearby area, commonly referred to as the Klong Toey Slum. According to the Bangkok Post, the government has allocated four 25-storey apartment buildings to house the people in 6144 apartments, measuring just 33sqm each.

  • Online food store Grain Expanding Rapidly

    Online food store Grain Expanding Rapidly

    Singapore-based online food store Grain has raised US$10 million in series B funding. The cash will be used to accelerate growth in Singapore, and expand into Thailand.

    To do that, the company will be cooperating with Thailand’s Boonrawd Brewery group’s subsidiary Singha Corporation.

    Singha will help Grain gain clearer insights into the target audience in Bangkok, and develop better products and services.

    “Grain will work with Singha by using Singha’s extensive F&B network across the country, including logistics and distribution, to bring delightful innovations to consumers,” said Bhurit Bhirombhakdi, chairman of the executive board at Singha Ventures.

    The collaboration between the two companies aims to help online food store Grain expand in Southeast Asia and realize its regional vision.

    “We want to disrupt the F&B landscape and evolve with consumer preferences, but also have solid fundamentals,” said Yi Sung Yong, Grain’s co-founder and CEO.

  • Thai AirAsia parent Q1 operating profit halves

    Thai AirAsia parent Q1 operating profit halves

    Revenue for the quarter ended 31 March was flat at Bt11.6 billion, but expenses rose 10% to Bt10.5 billion. Net profit fell 50% to Bt497million. The company says that fuel costs rose during the quarter, as did airport and MRO costs. Despite this, the carrier’s CASK was flat compared with a year ago at Bt1.53 due to a 10% increase in ASKs and a longer average stage length.

    RPKs grew 9%, while load factor was flat at 91%. The carrier’s average fare for the first quarter was Bt1554, down 7%.b Cash and cash equivalents were Bt4.1 billion on 31 March, down from Bt5.97 billion a year earlier.

    In its outlook, the carrier notes that international trade frictions could hurt the global economy and affect exchange rates.

    “As the company has revenues and expenses in various different currencies such as passenger fares, repair, and maintenance as well as aircraft rental, the company has adopted the practice of natural hedging by matching cash expenses and revenues in the same currency as practically possible,” it says.

    It believes that global crude prices could fall in the second half of the year, but has hedged 52% of its 2019 fuel conception at cost of $80 per barrel.

    It adds that Thailand’s tourism industry will remain strong in 2019. It plans to add new routes later this year from Bangkok Don Mueang to new Vietnam destinations such as Can Tho and Nha Trang, as well as the addition of a Chiang Mai-Da Nang service.

    It plans two Cambodia services, Bangkok Don Mueang-Sihanoukville, and Phuket-Phnom Penh. In addition, it will add a Bangkok Don Mueang-Ahmedabad service.

    “This diversified strategy tends to minimize the risk of dependence on the major customer base, enhancing the company and Thai AirAsia’s sustainable revenue growth in the future and maintain its leading low-fare airline in Thailand,” it says.“In 2019, Thai AirAsiamaintains a target of 23.15 million passengers, with a solid load factor at 86%, and plans to acquire more energy efficient aircraft during the year to bring its fleet to 63 aircraft.”

  • Thailand acquisition boosts BreadTalk Turn Over

    Thailand acquisition boosts BreadTalk Turn Over

    Singapore’s BreadTalk Group has reported a year-on-year revenue increase of 6.1 percent to S$157.6 million (US$115.56 million) for its first financial quarter this year.

    The group’s net profit increased by 11.5 percent to $1.3 million over the period. Sales at BreadTalk’s bakery division rose 2.3 percent to $72 million ($52.8 million) during the first quarter with the consolidation of revenue from its Thailand bakery business, following the acquisition of the 50 percent interest in BTM from Minor Food Group. Excluding that, revenue would have been lower by 5.7 percent year on year, due to lower revenue from the directly operated stores in Beijing and the franchise business in China, partly offset by stronger revenue by the directly operated Singapore stores.

    The consolidation of the Thailand business added 47 BreadTalk outlets to the group’s direct operated store count.

    “Last year was a year of milestones for us,” said group CEO Henry Chu. “We expanded into new markets such as London with Din Tai Fung and brought our joint-venture partners Song Fa Holdings and Wu Pao Chun Food into strategic markets such as China and Singapore respectively.“With the new partnerships, we laid the foundations to diversify our business portfolio so as to achieve sustainable growth for the group.

    In addition, we embarked on efforts to increase our central kitchen production facilities in China and Thailand. The 6.1 percent increase in group revenue show that these efforts are starting to pay off,” he said.

    “Looking forward, we will continue to strengthen our presence of existing brands in key markets. We will continue to develop in talent development and the setup of our third regional office in Bangkok as we position ourselves for growth in Thailand and greater Mekong-region markets.”

  • Takashimaya After Opportunities in South East Asia

    Takashimaya After Opportunities in South East Asia

    Three Southeast Asian countries are on Japanese department store operator’s radar. Takashimaya says it is evaluating opportunities to open department stores in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

    However, in an interview, Takashimaya’s president Yoshio Murata said while new stores in those markets could be an option, the company’s priority now is to focus on “raising the profitability of the four stores” it already has in Southeast Asia and China.

    Takashimaya opened a store in the IconSiam development in Bangkok late last year, adding to stores it already had in Shanghai, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City.

    In May last year, it was reported that just one of its overseas stores was then trading at a profit – the Singapore flagship on Orchard Road. But the company said it believed it could make them all profitable by 2023, including the Bangkok one.

    This week, Murata said the company plans to strengthen its overseas operations and sees an opportunity for growth in Southeast Asia, in particular.

    Additional locations “are entirely possible,” he said, so long as there were good locations available.

    The company is facing problems in its home market where an aging population and declining birth rate are making business growth a challenge.

  • Allianz Completes Strategic Partnership Deal in Thailand

    Allianz Completes Strategic Partnership Deal in Thailand

    Firm expands partnership with Sri Ayudhya Capital to enhance local market presence and accelerate growth in Thailand. Allianz has acquired a 19.21-percent stake in Thailand’s Sri Ayudhya Capital (AUYD) to become its largest shareholder, the German insurer and asset manager announced in a press release.

    As part of the deal, Allianz General Insurance will be renamed Allianz Ayudhya Capital and its subsidiary Sri Ayudhya General Insurance will be renamed Allianz Ayudhya General Insurance. The merger will ensure a stronger insurance franchise focused on meeting the diverse and growing protection needs of local customers and enhancing the Allianz proposition in the region the press release said.

    Today represents an important milestone for Allianz’s growth ambitions in Thailand and the wider region.  The closer relationship between both businesses will increase collaboration and expertise, and deliver an improved customer proposition in the country.  These moves reflect the strategic efforts we are making across Asia and we look ahead with confidence, Allianz Asia Pacific deputy regional CEO Solmaz Altin said.

    Thailand is an important and strategic market for Allianz Asia, with strong potential due to its low insurance penetration as well as robust macroeconomic prospects, Allianz said. Allianz and AYUD’s partnership goes back almost 20 years and currently serves more than 1 million customers across the country.

    Veraphan Teepsuwan remains as Chairman of Allianz Ayudhya Capital, while Bryan Smith, President & CEO of Allianz Ayudhya Assurance (the life insurance business), has assumed the role of President & CEO, Allianz Ayudhya Capital and the newly created position of Country Manager, Allianz Thailand. Lars Heibutzki was appointed President & CEO of Allianz Ayudhya General Insurance.

    Allianz made a tender offer to buy 56.93 million AYUD shares at 53.32 baht ($1.66) each, totaling 3.04 billion baht ($95 million).