Retail News CRM

Tag: bangkok

  • AIS Partners with TNS to Strengthen ATM and Retail Network Offer

    AIS Partners with TNS to Strengthen ATM and Retail Network Offer

    Thailand’s leading mobile operator, Advanced Info Service (AIS), is partnering with Transaction Network Services (TNS) to enhance its product portfolio to address the specific PCI DSS needs of its merchant customers.

    The new ATM and retail store communications solution, called PCI DSS Certified Hybrid MPLS, is a fully managed service which uses AIS’ mobile 3G and fixed MPLS network, combined with TNSLink. In addition to connectivity to Thailand’s banks, AIS merchant customers will be able to utilise the TNSLink solution to reach more than 400 payments-specific endpoints, including the world’s major card schemes, banks, acquirers, processors and value added financial service suppliers, which are connected to TNS’ worldwide network.

    Weerachai Patcharopartwong, Senior Vice President Corporate Marketing and Sales at AIS said: “AIS’ vision is to create a digital service for customers and Thai people which helps them do more and live better, as well as creates new opportunities for corporate customers to use digital technology to support business operations.

    “We’re delighted to be partnering with TNS and offering its specialised TNSLink product portfolio to our customer base across Thailand. TNS’ long-standing PCI DSS credentials, feature-rich solution and reliable technology make it the premier payments solutions provider in Thailand and a natural choice for our business.

    “This agreement with TNS makes AIS the first and only mobile operator in Thailand to offer a solution providing a communication network with high standard PCI DSS system support and this demonstrates our determination to enhance customer data protection.”

    TNSLink is a fully managed, PCI DSS compliant solution that allows customer to reduce capital outlay, lower operating costs and increase revenue for ATMs and point-of-sale (POS) terminals. A near real-time web reporting portal, TNSOnline, ensures ATM and POS systems operate with maximum uptime. In March, TNS announced it had launched 4G LTE network support for its TNSLink suite of solutions.

    Lisa Shipley, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of TNS’ Payment Network Solutions, said: “Our agreement with AIS is an excellent example of how we partner with local market leaders, such as AIS, to empower their bank and retail customers with the highest level of security for ATM and branch network access. We look forward to helping AIS grow its business using its superior 3G coverage across Thailand.”

    TNS is a Level 1 PCI DSS certified service provider and its secure network is supported 24x7x365 by TNS’ Network Operating Centres around the world. With a strong payments heritage and more than 20 years of expertise, TNS now provides services in more than 60 countries across Europe, the Americas and the Asia Pacific region.

    ENDS

    About Transaction Network Services:

    Transaction Network Services (TNS) is a leading global provider of data communications and interoperability solutions. TNS offers a broad range of network and innovative value-added services that enable transactions and the exchange of information in diverse industries such as retail, banking, payment processing, telecommunications and the financial markets.

    Founded in 1990 in the United States, TNS has grown steadily and now provides services in over 60 countries across the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific region, with our reach extending to many more. TNS has designed and implemented multiple data networks that support a variety of widely accepted communications protocols and are designed to be scalable and accessible by multiple methods.

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  • New mall planned for Sukhumvit 101

    New mall planned for Sukhumvit 101

    Thai property developer Magnolia Quality Development Corporation has unveiled a stunning, futuristic mixed use development plan for Sukhumvit 101.

    Whizdom 101 is a massive 30 billion baht US$883 million project which when complete will comprise 340,000 sqm of space: a 20,000 sqm retail shopping centre, 30,000 sqm of office space, 10,000 sqm for a sports and wellness facilities. The balance of the space will house 1800 residential units in three high rise towers.

    The first tower – Whizdom Connect Sukhumvit – will house 600 apartments, 60 per cent of which have already been reserved since they were placed on the market a fortnight ago. Construction is scheduled to commence from october this year and be completed mid-2018.

    Suttha Ruengchaipaiboon, an executive vice president of Magnolia, said the company is targeting younger people from Thailand, China and Asean. A roadshow promoting the project will visit Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia during the second half of this year.

    Magnolia is a partner in the massive IconSiam mixed use project in partnership with Siam Piwat, under construction on the banks of the Chao Praya River.

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  • Saha group says Japan’s Lawson stores in Thailand to rise to 1000

    Saha group says Japan’s Lawson stores in Thailand to rise to 1000

    A joint venture of Thailand’s Saha Pathanapibul Pcl and Japan’s Lawson Inc aims to boost the number of ‘Lawson 108’ outlets in the Southeast Asian nation to 1,000 over the next three years from 40 now, a Saha executive said on Friday.

    Saha Pat, part of Saha Group, Thailand’s largest consumer products conglomerate, joined hands with Lawson, one of Japan’s top- three convenience store chains, to form joint venture Saha Lawson Co in 2012 to tap the Thai retail market.

    Saha Lawson will focus on fresh-cooked and ready to eat products, Saha Pat’s director Vathit Chokwatana told a conference. He did not reveal any investment numbers by the partners.

    Lawson is one of several Japanese retailers expanding business in Thailand, despite the Southeast Asian nation’s weak domestic consumption and slowing economy. Others include Tokyu Department Store and MaxValu supermarket, owned by AEON group.

    Lawson competes directly with CP All Pcl, Thailand’s largest convenience store chain with more than 8,000 7-Eleven outlets, and Family Mart, owned by Central Group, Thailand’s leading retailer.

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  • Massive light show marks Em District opening

    Massive light show marks Em District opening

    Bangkok’s newest shopping showcase The Em District has commissioned a stunning 3D Mapping performance to mark its formal launch on Sukhumvit.

    The Emporium Group, managers of The Emporium and The EmQuartier, said the company invested 200 million baht  (nearly $US6 million)  to hold “The World Extraordinaire” under ‘The Grand Celebration That Bangkok Has Never Experience Before’ concept.

    The show made its debut at a World Extraordinaire launch party attended by thousands of invited guests.

    The new Em District retail precinct comprises the refurbished and expanded Emporium shopping centre and the newly constructed EmQuartier.

    Every day at 7pm the 3D Mapping Extraordinaire performance is repeated with images projected onto The Emporium and The EmQuartier’s facades.

    For the gala opening celebration, the light show was accompanied by a fireworks show accompanied by music from symphony orchestras.

    Slated as “the biggest World Mapping Showcase in Asia” it is held in collaboration with Advanced Info Service, Bangkok Bank, Bangkok Airways, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, Muang Thai Life Assurance and Oishi Group.

    The 3D Mapping Extraordinaire was created by Moment Factory a new media and entertainment studio which has previously worked with Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, amongst others.

    The Em District is positioning itself as Thailand’s newest ‘one stop retail destination’ that attracts tourists and locals alike.

    To mark the opening, The Em District is holding a campaign ‘Shopping Extraordinaire’ which offers customers a chance to win one of four grand prizes worth a total of 30 million baht ($891,000) with every 2000 baht ($59) spent.  Prizes include an apartment (Condominium Park 24), Porsche Macan; Mercedes-Benz CLS 250, a Veranda Residence at Pattaya Condominium and holiday packages from Bangkok Airways and the Dusit Thani.

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  • Bangkok retail lags in expansion

    Bangkok retail lags in expansion

    Space in core areas of Tokyo remained highly sought after despite the mixed signals in the economy and an increase in the sales-tax rate introduced in April, 2014.

    Singapore followed Tokyo with 58 new retail brands while Taipei came in fourth, climbing seven places from 2013’s new entrants’ rankings with 49 new brands last year compared with 29 the year before. Other cities in the region making up the top 15 markets included Hong Kong with 45 new entrants, Beijing with 34 and Manila with 24.

    London retained its position as the world’s most international shopping destination with 57.9 per cent of international retailers present there, which was closely followed by Dubai with 55.7 per cent of international retailers present and Shanghai with 53.4 per cent.

    James Pitchon, head of research and consulting at CBRE Thailand, said that in the first quarter of this year, the total Bangkok retail supply was 6.8 million square metres, increasing by 7.8 per cent year on year. The volume of occupied retail space increased by 4.8 per cent.

    The largest new retail development in the quarter was the 50,000sqm EmQuartier luxury shopping mall on Sukhumvit Road.

    Jonathan Hsu, head of occupier markets research for CBRE Asia Pacific, said the continued desire for expansion into new cities remained high for international brands.

    “We are seeing a great deal of expansion into Asia and in particular into Tokyo, Singapore and Taipei.”

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  • Fujita Kanko Opens Bangkok and Jakarta Offices

    Fujita Kanko Opens Bangkok and Jakarta Offices

    Leading Japanese hospitality company Fujita Kanko Inc. will open two new overseas offices in Bangkok, Thailand and Jakarta, Indonesia in June. The openings are intended to accelerate the globalization of its business, one of the key goals the company has set for the next five years, aiming at 25 percent growth in overseas guests by 2019.

    “Adding Bangkok and Jakarta bases is a critical step in our business plan,” said Akira Segawa, Fujita Kanko’s President and CEO. “Southeast Asia is a strategically important market – an increasingly strong inbound market for Japan, and also a very popular destination for Japanese travelers.” Mr. Segawa stressed the importance for the company of maximizing business opportunities in Southeast Asia. “We’ve built a broad range of hospitality expertise, and offer some of Japan’s most upscale, exquisite properties. We’re eager to welcome more international travelers, and to build local businesses, including opening hotels, in other Asian markets.”

    The 60-year-old company opened its first overseas office in Shanghai in 2010 and added offices in Seoul and Taipei in 2012. A Singapore office was added in 2013 to strengthen marketing and sales and pursue business development opportunities in Southeast Asia. The Singapore office will be consolidated with the Jakarta office at the end of May, which will also oversee the Malaysian market.

    Fujita Kanko will use its overseas offices to promote its 70+ properties in Japan and build international recognition for its businesses among travelers and other stakeholders. Last year, the company announced it will open a hotel in Seoul, Korea in 2018, its first overseas property since 2002.

    Fujita Kanko Jakarta Office:
    Mid Plaza 1 Lt. 17 Unit 1718
    Jl. Jend Sudirman Kav 10-11, Jakarta Pusat 10220, Indonesia
    Phone: +62-21-2783-2323

    About Fujita Kanko

    Fujita Kanko Inc., established in 1955, is a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo. In addition to its core hospitality business, the company operates wedding and banquet facilities, high-end resorts, leisure facilities and related services. It has 70 properties/facilities, including its five-star flagship, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, and 30 mid-priced hotels throughout Japan in the Hotel Gracery and Washington Hotels groups.

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  • Bulgogi Brothers Bangkok debuts

    Bulgogi Brothers Bangkok debuts

    South Korean QSR chain Bulgogi Brothers has added Thailand to its growing Southeast Asian footprint, with its first store opened in the EmQuartier mall in central Bangkok.

    The barbecue restaurant chain has 42 restaurants worldwide – including seven in the Philippines, five in China, three in Malaysia and others in Indonesia and Myanmar. The company will open its first outlet in Tokyo in October and in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, in December. It also plans an Indian debut this year and is targeting 100 worldwide within five years.

    The Thai franchise rights are held by Ausanee Mahagitsiri Leonio, the daughter of Prayuth Mahagitsiri, described by Thai media as “the Nescafe coffee tycoon”. She also owns the Thai Krispy Kreme franchise.

    The chairman and CEO of Bulgogi Brothers’ parent company Et & Zeus is Intae Jung, who says his brand is making the most of the popularity of K-pop music, Korean TV series and fashion reputation.

    “Korean food has become a fad in Asia due to the popularity of South Korean pop music and TV series. Korean is the fourth most recognised cuisine by nationality among Thai consumers, following Japanese, Italian and Chinese,” he said in an interview with the Bangkok Post newspaper.

    “The Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar are the top three priority markets we want to focus on for our five-year business plan. In Thailand we want to see 10 more Bulgogi Brothers restaurants by 2020,” Jung said.

    Ausanee, president of King of Bulgogi Thailand, said she plans to spend 100 million baht (US$3 million) to open two Bulgogi Brothers Bangkok restaurants, including the EmQuartier one.

    “We expanded into the Korean restaurant business because the food tastes similar to Thai food. Many Thais travel to South Korea and enjoy watching Korean dramas, which inspires them to try some dishes,” she said.

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  • Denmark’s Wood Wood arrives in Bangkok

    Denmark’s Wood Wood arrives in Bangkok

    Danish fashion brand Wood Wood has opened its first store in Asia.

    Wood Wood, known for sporty silhouettes, and a hallmark Scandinavian style, has opened a store inside The Mall Group’s new EmQuartier shopping centre on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Rd.

    Wood Wood Bangkok 4-415

    The store is a partnership with Thai brand UnCensored and described as “an exhibitional retail space” with an urban-boutique feel. It is in the centre’s Helix Quartier.

    The Wood Wood boutique features a black-and-white graphic design on the walls.

    Wood Wood Bangkok 3-415

    Thailand is Wood Wood’s third overseas market, following Berlin, where it has two stores, and Moscow. It has three stores in hits home market.

    THe fashion brand was founded in 2002 by Karl-Oskar Olsen and Brian SS Jensen who grew up in the 90s when graffiti and street culture was popular.

    Wood Wood Bangkok 2-415

    They mix high fashion, sports and streetwear with youth culture, art and music creating clothing they believe is balanced between style and function.

    “Wood Wood is much more than a brand. It’s about style and attitude. We were raised with the desire to constantly evolve and we’ll keep on taking the brand even further by combining elements of underground and high-end into our very own aesthetic,” says Karl-Oskar Olsen.

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  • Miu Miu Thailand unveils third store

    Miu Miu Thailand unveils third store

    Miu Miu Thailand has opened its third store in the Thai capital Bangkok.

    The 250 sqm store is located in the newly opened EmQuartier luxury shopping mall on Sukhumvit, close to its parent brand Prada’s new store.

    Designed by the architect Roberto Baciocchi, the space extends over a single level and features ready-to-wear, footwear, bags and accessories.

    Miu-Miu-Bangkok-Emquartier-3-415

    A plate glass facade hung with back-lit perforated metal curtain expresses the character of the brand. Imposing light boxes framed with brushed steel punctuate the exterior and allow for an impactful showcase of Miu Miu’s pioneering print campaigns.

    The interior is divided into two large and distinct areas: The first is home to leather goods and defined by walls covered in floor-to-ceiling mirrors and iconic gold damask fabric inset with sparkling display niches edged with polished steel.

    Miu-Miu-Bangkok-Emquartier-2-415

    A broad corridor clad in more mirror leads into the second room, featuring footwear and ready-to-wear. Here, damask walls, mirrored niches and small lounge areas furnished with velvet mohair armchairs reflect the “intimate and refined atmosphere” typical of Miu Miu stores, the company explains.

    A black Palladian marble floor provides a feel of classic grandeur and a back-lit cellular ceiling ensures softly diffused light.

    The space is finished with delicate glass and polished steel counters placed centrally in each room and with green velvet poufs.

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  • New Prada Bangkok store unveiled

    New Prada Bangkok store unveiled

    Prada has strengthened its Bangkok presence opening a new 440 sqm store in The Mall Group’s new EmQuartier shopping centre.

    The store, designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi, comprises a single level destination and houses the women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories and footwear collections.

    Prada Bangkok EmQuartier 415-4

    The external façade stretches some 40 metres and blends into the mall’s modern architectural composition: a white canvas curtain enclosed in a crystal box and flanked by large light boxes creates a sophisticated atmosphere. Slim strips of black granite with polished steel profiles frame the large entrances, windows and light boxes.

    The first entrance, defined by the signature black-and-white marble chequered flooring, opens on an area housing the women’s leather goods and accessories collections. The space is characterised by green fabric-clad walls with sleek polished steel and crystal display cases. Polished steel counters with drawers covered in coloured saffiano leather complete the furnishing.

    Prada Bangkok EmQuartier 415-3

    The next space is defined by an intimate atmosphere, with green fabric-clad walls and transparent perspex display units exalting the display of the women’s ready-to-wear collections. The footwear collections are nestled in elegant alcoves that recall Prada’s trademark display niches. Green velvet ‘Clover Leaf’ sofas, designed by Verner Panton and reproduced exclusively for Prada, crystal tables and display counters embellished with coloured saffiano leather elements enrich the space.

    Prada Bangkok EmQuartier 415-4

    The entrance to the area devoted to men leads to a space characterised by the distinctive black-and-white marble chequered flooring and ebony-clad walls with precious polished steel display cases, hosting the men’s leather goods and accessories collections. The area dedicated to the ready-to-wear and footwear collections is defined by ebony floorboards and walls, ‘pony skin carpeting’ and coloured ostrich leather sofas.

    Prada Bangkok EmQuartier 415-5

    Additional furnishings, such as polished steel display units and counters with drawers covered in coloured saffiano leather, complete the setting.

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  • World-class EmQuartier Bangkok unveiled

    World-class EmQuartier Bangkok unveiled

    Thailand’s The Mall Group has budgeted a massive US$15 million to launch its premium EM District.

    The first stage is the unveiling of The EmQuartier which it says will position Sukhumvit as “a world-class fashion destination”.

    In collaboration with more than 400 world-class brands and leading Thai brands, a fashion event with more than 200 models – Fashion Extraordinaire – showcased “groundbreaking fashion and urban lifestyle in a stunning new shopping complex”.To mark the shopping experience, prizes worth over 30 million baht will be up for grabs.

    Management of The Mall Group and The Emporium Group led by Supaluck Umpujh, Krissada Umpujh, Paibul Kanokwattanawan, and Kreignsak Tantiphipop, along with business partners, retailers, business owners, executive-level managers, celebrities and local socialites joined the festivities.

    Supaluck Umpujh, vice chairwoman of The Mall Group and chairman of The Emporium Group said a budget of 500 million baht ($15 million) has been allocated to celebrating The EM District’s opening, designed to provide Bangkok with “a stunning experience”.

    EmQuartier Thailand

    The four-month-long celebration which started on March 27 will run until July 31 and is divided into three concepts for three periods, starting with Fashion Extraordinaire, Dining Extraordinaire, and ending with World Extraordinaire.

    For Fashion Extraordinaire, The EM District collaborated with labels including super brands, world-class brands and leading Thai brands to establish itself as the ultimate fashion centre. Brands including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Prada, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, Celine, Fendi, Gucci, Valentino, Chloe, Loewe, Miu Miu, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry, Emporio Armani, Club 21 and many more.

    As a fashion centre, The EmQuartier is home to many leading brands. The Q Stadium is a concept store with trendy clothes and accessories that were carefully selected from around the world. Over 4000 sqm, the urban-wear multi-label World-class fashion centre store’s design concept is ‘the urban playground’ to cater to the city lifestyle of those with sophisticated style.

    More than 50 brands at Q Stadium include Adidas Neo, The Adjective, Carnival, Fly London, Leisure Project Store, Penfield, Superdry, Travel Fox and Vanquish.

    Qurator is the ultimate Thai designer showcase, housing more than 60 leading Thai designer brands on a 6000 sqm space. There are items by established and up-and-coming Thai designers, “so Qurator is not just a store, but also an incubator of ideas and creativity for the Thai fashion industry,” said the company in a statement. New collections are showcased at Qurator for the first time.

    EmQuartier Thailand 2

    The Atelier on G floor, Emporium Department Store was unveiled last December, and is a multi-fashion brand store with leading fashion brands from around the world coveted by fashionistas.

    And Another Story is a new concept store with a variety of products designed by designers from around the world. These products are unique and affordable. There are 160 popular brands from around the world, of which 70 are exclusive brands from abroad and 30 make up a special collection of Thai brands. On a 900 sqm at A building, The EmQuartier, Another Story is divided into six zones.

    Customers can design their own one-of-a-kind stationery to take home at the Stationery zone. The Yellow Korner zone is a gallery filled with work of artists from around the world. The Home & Décor zone offers a variety of home and décor products in many styles. Beach & Resort wear zone offers day looks clothes for mix and match. The Café Zone offers a relaxing city type café, while the Workshop Zone is for people wishing to create unique items.

    The EmQuartier is Bangkok’s newest and most comprehensive centre of food, including ingredients, prepared meals and restaurants and includes the Gourmet Market supermarket which carries a variety of products from around the globe. On an 8000 sqm space, the Gourmet Market has more than 40,000 products, with additional products from Asia and Europe. Snacks, ingredients, fruits and fresh food are sourced from around the world.

    Quartier Food Hall at The EmQuartier features a wide array of international cuisines, making it the one-stop shop food hall in Sukhumvit with Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Singaporean, Taiwanese, Australian, American and New Zealand food available on a 7000 sqm space that includes restaurants, a food court, and take-home shops.

    A Shopping Extraordinaire promotion offers prizes worth more than 30 million baht. For every 2000 baht spent, shoppers receive a coupon for a chance to win one of four amazing prizes: Park 24 condominium, Porsche Macan, Mercedes-Benz CLS, and Veranda Residence Pattaya condominium. There are other prizes as well, all of which are available when meeting shopping terms until July 31, 2015.

    EmQuartier Thailand 3

    The EM District features a range of Premier Collections in partnership with international and local brands. Here is the full list:

    • Louis Vuitton: Special collection ‘Monogram Rouge Noir’ by Nicolas Ghesquiere.
    • Cartier: ‘Cartier Tradition’ collection with piece carefully selected from around the world.
    • Bvlgari: High Jewelry collection extraordinary for celebrating launch The EM District.
    • Dolce & Gabbana: Special collection with exclusive Runway Pieces.
    • Saint Laurent: Exclusive Spring Summer Collection and precious skin bag limited quantity.
    • Valentino: First flagship store that offers a full range men and women collection, also the VIP lounge.
    • Céline: The first and only new concept boutique in Thailand with Ready-to-wear collection from runway.
    • Loewe: Spanish leather goods brand presents runway collection by Jonathan Anderson.
    • Jimmy Choo: The first and only in the world ‘Candy Clutch – Bangkok’ limited edition and men collections boutique in Thailand.
    • Chloe: ‘Drew’ in limited edition Gold/Nude, Exclusive piece ordered for The EM District opening.
    • Proenza Schouler: ‘PS1 Tiny Woodblock’ exclusive collection
    • Paul Smith: T-Shirt ‘Bangkok Edition’ Exclusively by Sir Paul Smith.
    • DVF: Jewellery launch collection inspired by the chic bohemian.
    • Issey Miyake Bao Bao: Japanese fashion brand with limited edition bag collection.
    • MCM: The first boutique in Thailand and special collection “MCM Ekocycle Project”, a collaboration between Will-i-am and Coca-Cola.
    • Coach: “Coach Swagger” patchwork special collection.
    • A Bathing Ape: The first boutique in Thailand and special Baby Milo x Hello Kitty collection.
    • Veilebrequin: Swimming trunks made of 24K gold.
    • Sephora: Special eye shadow collection from a collaboration with well-known jewelry designer Shourouk.
    • Qurator: Special designs, available exclusively at The EmQuartier by Thai designers from over 60 brands.EmQuartier Thailand 4
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  • 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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