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Tag: bangkok

  • Major rebuild for Siam Discovery

    Major rebuild for Siam Discovery

    Thai mall developer Siam Piwat is planning a 4 billion THB (US$125 million) rebuild of its downtown Bangkok Siam Discovery shopping mall.

    Siam Piwat, which owns the adjacent Siam Square and Siam Paragon malls, says it is planning a total renewal for both the center’s interior and exterior. When the result is unveiled to the public in early 2016, the centre’s theme will be “Breaking All The Rules”.

    The centre will host a ‘groundbreaking sale” from April 23 to May 5 before it closes down for the refurbishment.

    When it reopens, Siam Piwat promises “a first-time phenomenon with a number of original ideas never before seen in Thailand.”

    Siam Piwat spokesperson Siriphen Intuputi said the 4 billion THB investment is additional to the five year, 55 billion investment announced last year covering new properties and refurbishments.

    Mrs. Siriphen Intuputi, senior executive for Marketing and Public Relations, Siam Piwat Co., Ltd 415

    The 18 month old centre has always struggled in the shadows of its neighbours, Siam Centre, Bangkok’s oldest modern day shopping centre, and the massive Siam Paragon which, when it opened, was Thailand’s largest shopping centre. Siam Centre reopened in 2013 after a comprehensive renovation which has drawn praise from retail experts and designers and been an unequivocal trading success.

    “The success of our renovation of Siam Center two years ago where we received amazingly good feedback from tenants and visitors made the management and staff of Siam Piwat confident in the company’s approach to maintaining its lead in introducing innovations to the retail industry,” the company said in a statement.

    “So the company decided to give [Siam Discovery] a total renewal in order to bring new experiences of the era to Thai shoppers and international visitors who will come to Thailand in great numbers following the creation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).”

    Siam Discovery 2-415

    Observed Siriphen: “We believe that after the AEC takes effect, Thailand’s retail industry will grow by more than 25 per cent. There is a lot of new investment in the retail sector in anticipation of future economic growth. This includes Siam Piwat’s planned investment during 2015 – 2019, with the renewal construction of Siam Discovery a part of the plan.”

    During the course of the rebuild, the entrance to Madame Tussauds Bangkok will be changed to  within Siam Tower. Well-known brands with stores inside Siam Discovery have been given temporary space within Siam Center and Siam Paragon..

    “Siam Piwat has drawn a detailed plan for the total renewal of Siam Discovery and we are confident that when the new Siam Discovery opens, it will be an unprecedented phenomenon in the retail industry with many original and trendy ideas.  It will be the talk of the town just like when the new Siam Center was unveiled,” said Siriphen.

    She said details of the unique new concept will be revealed later.

    Siam Discovery, Thailand’s first lifestyle shopping mall 415

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  • Amazon launches button for instant product ordering

    Amazon launches button for instant product ordering

    Online retailer Amazon.com Inc has launched a hardware that allows its Prime members to order a product by pushing a button.

    The ‘Dash button’, which is connected with the Amazon app through Wi-Fi, is brand specific and the company has tied up with household names such as Tide, Huggies and Gillette.

    The ‘Dash button’ comes with an adhesive and a hook and can be hung or hooked anywhere in the home.

    The offer, limited to three Dash buttons per customer, is only open to members who receive an email from the company with an invitation to receive a free Dash Button.

    Reuters had reported in September that Amazon would boost staffing at its secretive Silicon Valley-based hardware unit as it tests Internet-connected “smart” home gadgets.

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  • Charlotte Olympia Thailand launches

    Charlotte Olympia Thailand launches

    Exclusive UK footwear designer Charlotte Olympia has opened her first store in Thailand, the second Asia market in its steadily growing international footprint. Charlotte Olympia plans to open four boutiques this year, the others in Las Vegas, South Coast Plaza in southern California and a second in London.

    “I’m so excited to be opening four new Charlotte Olympia stores this year. Our expanding global retail footprint marks a significant milestone in the development and growth of the brand,” said Charlotte Olympia Dellal, CEO and creative director, in a statement.

    “I’m delighted to be able to showcase my collections in environments which distinguish our offering.”

    Charlotte Olympia Bangkok 315

    The Bangkok store is on the ground floor of the Emporium shopping centre on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Rd.

    The distinctive stores feature a design inspired by Hollywood glamour: leopard print seating, brass panelling and mirrored walls.

    Charlotte Olympia launched her first footwear collection at London Fashion Week in February 2008 and her first boutique store followed on Maddox St, London, two years later. New York followed in 2011 and Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills in 2013. Last year she opened three stores – in Hong Kong, Miami and Dubai.

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  • New northeast Bangkok mall

    New northeast Bangkok mall

    Thailand’s The Mall Group has budgeted US$91 million to build a new shopping centre in Bangkok’s northeastern outskirts.

    A final decision on the new Bangkok mall will be made within weeks, and represents an additional capital commitment beyond the $2 billion investment in the Emporium, EmQuartier and EmSphere developments in Bangkok and new malls in Phuket, previously announced.

    The new mall would be built on land across the road from Fashion Island on Ram Intra Rd, a key Bangkok arterial route.

    CEO Paiboon Kanokwattanawan told the Bangkok Post newspaper that having a shopping mall in the Ram Intra area “will fulfil our goal to serve customers in all important areas of Bangkok”.

    The Bangkok focus is aimed at cashing in on the establishment of the AEC later this year, of which Bangkok will be the capital.

    Paiboon told the Bangkok Post his company will not be following rival Central Group’s strategy of establishing centres in border towns.

    “We never planned to open our retail projects in special economic zones or border towns because Bangkok will be the capital of the AEC. It’s not necessary for us to develop projects in other locations as Bangkok is bigger than we thought.”

    He said people travelling from AEC member countries like Vietnam or Laos to Malaysia or Myanmar had to transit in Bangkok and while there “they will go shopping”.

    According to a report from Colliers International (Thailand) some 30 new shopping centres are scheduled to open in Bangkok and its suburbs during 2015 and 2016, adding about 1.52 million sqm of retail space to the Thai capital.

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  • Mall Group attracts major names

    Mall Group attracts major names

    Tiffany & Co heads a list of major international brands confirmed as tenants of The Mall Group’s massive new development in the heart of Bangkok.

    The Mall Group is creating The EM District on Sukhumvit Rd, comprising three projects –  The Emporium, The EmQuartier and The EmSphere. The Emporium is under refurbishment and the other two properties are new.

    When complete, the three properties will comprise a total retail space of 650,000 sqm and represent an investment of US$618 million.

    The EM District will be home to more than 1000 Thai and international brands, luxury fashion labels, technology, lifestyle, living and dining facilities.

    The Mall Group this week revealed that jeweller Tiffany & Co will be making its Thai debut in the complex, along with fellow New York-based retailer Van Cleef & Arpels, French brands Haute Joailler, Roger Vivier, a high-end Parisian footwear label, and footwear brand Charlotte Olympia footwear.

    Saint Laurent will open a concept store offering lifestyle items, Tory Burch will open its first full concept boutique, Germany’s MCM promises a flagship of its bags and Sephora will open its largest Thai flagship.

    Other international brands confirmed for the project are Banana Republic, A Bathing Ape, Zara, Massimo Dutti, H&M, Uniqlo, Gap, MNG, Super Dry, Beams, Stylenanda and Uncensored. They’ll join local brands including Fly Now, Greyhound, Soda, Something Boudoir, Senada, Asava, Kloset, Sretsis, Issue, It’s Happened, Disaya, Sanshai, Tube Gallery and Vickteerut.

    Luxury brands already confirmed include Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Prada, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, Celine, Fendi, Gucci, Tod’s, Valentino, Chloe, Loewe, Miu Miu, Salvatore Ferragamo, Balenciaga, Ermenegildo Zegna, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Emporio Armani, Hugo Boss, Dunhill, Issey Miyake and Club 21.

    The Emporium and The EmQuartier Gourmet Market, under a new concept of high-end and modern gourmet market, will provide food and delicatessens from around the world. The EM District will also incorporate a world-class entertainment complex including Quartier Cineart by cinema operator Major Cineplex Group, with seven and an Imax.

    Rival cinema group SF Cinema City will open Emprive Cineclub billed as “a completely renovated six-star theatre”.

    The EM District will be home to more than 10 venues and halls, including The Quartier Hall, Parc Quartier, Quartier Avenue and Emporium Gallery, ranging from 200 to 2000 sqm, available to host exhibitions, fashion events, music and art festivals and product launches.

    Food is another key element. The EM District will feature a broad range of international and local food brands, including Dean & Deluca, Harrods, Cova and TWG. Jones the Grocer, a gourmet food store originating in Australia, will make its debut. along with Pierre Herme French macaroon boutique that directly imports every macaroon from France.

  • Platinum Mall parent in IPO

    Platinum Mall parent in IPO

    Platinum Group, the parent of the popular Platinum wholesale fashion mall  in Bangkok’s downtown Pratunam district, is to launch an IPO.

    The group plans to raise 8 billion baht (US$247 million) through the issue of 700 million new shares. A book-building process is underway this week, which will be followed by a distribution in mid-March.

    Platinum Group president Somboon Wongrasamee says the company plans to use the funds to refinance a new project The Market by Platinum, under construction in Ratchadamri and scheduled to open in 2017. Three times the size of Platinum Mall, the centre is expected to boost the group’s income by 1 billion baht ($31 million) annually when complete.

    Further funds will be dedicated to construction of a skywalk connecting the luxury Gaysorn shopping centre with Platinum Mall and construction of a hotel in Koh Samui.

    Wongrasamee says the mall had a unique place in Thailand’s retail landscape as it attracted both local consumers and tourists.

    “There are not many wholesale operators in Thailand, so the company will expand to upcountry branches to take advantage of long-term market growth opportunities,” he told the Bangkok Post in a recent interview.

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  • 25 new Bangkok malls set for 2015

    25 new Bangkok malls set for 2015

    At least 28 new community malls will be opened in Bangkok and suburban areas in 2015-16 in response to growing urbanisation and changing lifestyles.

    Community malls accounted for the biggest growth in the retail sector last year. Over a half or 147,000 square metres, out of the total new retail space of 282,600 square metres, came from community malls.

    Surachet Kongcheep, associate director of Colliers International (Thailand) Co, said 25 new community malls with over 320,000 sqm were slated to open this year. Among them, 14 projects are in western Bangkok including Kalapapruek, Ratchapruek and Phetkasem Soi 48

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  • Retailers offer cross-border privileges

    Retailers offer cross-border privileges

    Five retail giants have teamed up with a Thai mall operator to offer a cross-border privileges programme for shoppers.

    Siam Piwat, owner of Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery and Paradise Park, is partnering with South Korea’s Lotte, Hong Kong’s Times Square, Robinsons of Singapore, Sapporo Parco of Japan and Galeries Lafayette of France in the Global Privilege Partnership program.

    Together, the retailers will launch a “massive international campaign”, offering both local and international shoppers “ultimate shopping experiences and above average privileges”. The partnership is the first of its kind in Thailand’s retail sector.

    Mayuree Chaipromprasith, Siam Piwat’s senior vice-president for business promotion, said Siam Piwat is honoured to lead the campaign and to be trusted by the five retailers who selected Siam Piwat as their exclusive partner in the customer relationship management (CRM) programme across the borders to ensure cardholders enjoy maximum benefits.

    “Siam Piwat sees working together in the form of partnership and collaboration as a way to develop a mechanism to stimulate more international consumer spending in Thailand. At present, the majority of visitors to Siam Piwat’s shopping venues are of the B group and higher. They have high purchasing power, love to travel, live a modern lifestyle, are into trendy innovations and expect above average services,” said Chaipromprasith.

    She added that Siam Piwat expects 400,000 visitors a year to participate in the programme, which should generate 6 billion Thai baht annually in consumer spending.

    “The Global Privilege Partnership has the largest number of leading countries working together. Not only will it serve to grow traffic to Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery, but it also offers value for money in terms of benefits and privileges enjoyed by members of the Platinum M Card for shoppers at Siam Paragon and VIZ Card for shoppers at Siam Center, Siam Discovery and Paradise Park.”

    The Global Privilege Partnership programme offers premium privileges to Platinum M Card and VIZ Card members of Siam Piwat as well as holders of membership cards issued by the five international partners. Shoppers enjoy benefits, including five to 50% discounts from more than 2,000 stores in the five popular shopping destinations and the same VIP service as they would have in their home countries.

    Among those services are personal assistants on hand to give members information at the partner shopping venues, welcome gifts worth more than THB 3000 and service at an exclusive lounge.

    Siam Piwat expects to expand the programme to include five more countries next year.

  • Glitzy Malls of Asia – Bangkok

    Glitzy Malls of Asia – Bangkok

    Central Embassy is Bangkok’s latest challenge in the luxury retail sector, not only to older malls like the SiamParagon but also to Singapore and Hong Kong as a retail destination.

    It is big and spacious with very wide walkways to ensure that it does not get packed even on busy days. It positions itself as an “ultra luxury” mall. This means, among other things, that a movie ticket here costs upwards of 1,500 baht (US$45), prompting one blogger to wonder if it comes with butler service and gold-encrusted movie stubs.

    The high-end cinema on Level 8, however, is one of the few distractions. Most of the mall is focused on just fashion and food. Fashion, in this case, includes not just the usual big international brands. More significantly, Central Embassy showcases a good selection of Thai designers. This is fully in line with the owner’s stated vision to “introduce Thailand to a global audience of taste makers and opinion formers.”

    Also consistent with this vision, the sprawling 5,000sqm supermarket and foodcourt at the basement, called Eathai, features only Thai food, with cuisines from different regions clearly differentiated. There is also a section on street foods and a cookery school. Big, colourful murals, along with walls constructed from traditional Thai kitchen utensils, add to the ambience. Other cuisines can be enjoyed at standalone eateries on the upper floors.

    The mall’s architecture is spectacular, although it takes some imagination to see how it is inspired by wats (temples) and other traditional Thai architecture. It is in the details, where traditional patterns, materials and fabrication methods are interpreted in a modern setting. The façade spans 200m and has a skin of three-dimensional ceramic tiles and protruded aluminum to project a different view with each step. Central Embassy is a sight to behold.

    Luxury and more at Siam Paragon

    SiamParagon redefines luxury to include more than just fashion, watches or jewellery. It means you can buy a luxury car too. Choose from Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lotus, Lamborghini, BMW, Hammar, Maserati and more. Or how about a Bentley or a Rolls Royce?

    For tourists and the Thai elite, this is the premier shopping destination. With a gigantic Paragon Department Store covering 50,000sqm over six floors, plus some 270 other shops, SiamParagon is ranked one of the largest luxury malls in Asia. But if you are not in the league for luxury goods shopping, there are lots more to do – so much more that one writer considers it “demeaning” to call SiamParagon a mall.

    One big attraction is the Siam Ocean World. Occupying some 10,000sqm at the basement, this is one of the biggest walk-through aquariums in Southeast Asia where visitors can scuba dive to get up close and personal with sharks and rays. A new attraction called Kidzania allows children to get a realistic taste of adult careers, like being a dentist or a fire fighter.

    Then there is theCineplex with 14 halls, one of which has the biggest screen and highest seating capacity in Asia. The Krunsri IMAX theatre, at 8-storeys high, is also one of the biggest in the region. There is also a 38-lane bowling alley, a karaoke, an outdoor park, an exhibition hall, an opera house, a section devoted to traditional Thai arts and the Royal Paragon Hall, a 5,000-capacity venue for concerts, conventions and other special events.

    Plus, there is an incredible range of F&B outlets featuring cuisines from around the world, at prices that range from affordable to very expensive. Even if all you want is a Starbucks coffee, SiamParagon offers a choice of at least five Starbucks outlets.

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