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  • Big C expands in Hong Kong with Tsim Sha Tsui flagship store

    Big C expands in Hong Kong with Tsim Sha Tsui flagship store

    Thai-based supermarket chain, Big C, is expanding its footprint within Hong Kong through the opening of a new flagship store situated in the bustling district of Tsim Sha Tsui.

    Expanding in Hong Kong

    Marking its entrance into the Hong Kong marketplace in 2023, Big C brought with it a diverse range of Thai products targeted at local consumers. The latest store represents an evolution of Big C’s retail approach, leveraging an immersive retail format reflective of a “Five-Sense” concept. This concept incorporates the elements of hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch, creating a unique shopping experience.

    Immersive Retail Experience

    A unique, aromatic blend of frangipani wafts through the entrance of the store, a tribute to the Thai heritage of the brand. This scent has been carefully crafted by Thai wellness brand Bhawa, using the finest natural essential oils. A signature Tuk-Tuk, a common mode of transportation in Thailand, is prominently displayed at the storefront, along with large LED screens showcasing product videos, immersing shoppers in a sensory experience upon their arrival.

    Upon entering the store, shoppers are greeted by a spacious layout filled with interactive displays along with tasting and demonstration areas. These zones are specifically designed to highlight Big C’s “Ready to Eat” line of products, freshly prepared in local kitchens on a daily basis.

    A Multi-sensory Environment

    Beyond visual and tactile elements, the store pays tribute to its Thai roots through the auditory sense as well. Thai pop music is played throughout the store, creating a brand recall for regular customers. Additionally, it hosts a range of in-store events such as aromatherapy workshops, cooking demonstrations, and Thai massage sessions, further enhancing the shopping experience.

    With its roots tracing back to 1993 in Bangkok, Big C now operates in several countries including Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

    Questions & Answers

    When did Big C enter the Hong Kong market?
    Big C entered the Hong Kong market in 2023.

    What is unique about the new Big C flagship store in Hong Kong?
    The new Big C flagship store in Hong Kong is designed around a “Five-Sense” concept, creating a unique sensory shopping experience for consumers.

    What range of activities does the store offer to enhance the shopping experience?
    The store offers a range of activities including aromatherapy workshops, cooking demonstrations, and Thai massage sessions, to further enrich the shopping experience.

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  • Thailand’s Big C to enter Hong Kong

    Thailand’s Big C to enter Hong Kong

    Big C Supercenter, the Thai supermarket chain owned by one of the richest families in the Southeast Asian nation, will enter Hong Kong next month and also seek a dual listing in the city and Thailand as early as the fourth quarter, according to a top executive.

    The Bangkok-headquartered retailer has acquired grocery chain AbouThai, which operates 24 outlets in the city, and will rebrand them as Big C starting next month, Aswin Techajareonvikul, CEO and president of Big C Retail Corp, said in an exclusive interview with the Post on Monday.

    Aswin also separately met Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) CEO Nicolas Aguzin to discuss the group’s listing plan during his visit.

    “We all believe in Hong Kong’s prospects and growth potential,” he said. “Even though there were some challenges during Covid-19, Hong Kong can bounce back quickly. Hong Kong is a leading financial hub in Asia linking Southeast Asian markets with mainland China.”

    Hong Kong is Big C’s first foray outside Southeast Asia, taking on some the city’s retailers including Wellcome and ParknShop. The retailer is part of billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s business empire, which includes Thai Beverage, the nation’s largest brewer and maker of Chang beer. Aswin is Charoen’s youngest son-in-law.

    Big C operates about 2,000 retail stores under the Big C Supercenter, Big C Market, Big C Foodplace and Mini Big C brands in its home market of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

    Big C, which did not disclose the acquisition price for AbouThai, will invest HK$158 million (US$20.2 million) in the next three years to open 25 stores a year for a total of 99 stores by the end of 2026 and hire more than 500 additional staff, Aswin said.

    “Ninety-nine is a lucky number, which means longevity in Chinese culture,” he said. “We also have a very long-term vision in Hong Kong, which is to turn Big C into the best premium Thai supermarket.”

    Big C Supercenter was founded in 1993 by Thai retail conglomerate Central Group and listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in 2012. It was delisted in 2017, a year after it was taken over by trading house Berli Jucker, owned by the Sirivadhanabhakdi family, for over US$6 billion. Berli Jucker’s sales rose 3.4 per cent in the second quarter to 39.4 billion baht (US$1.1 billion).

    Aswin said the group plans to have a dual listing in Hong Kong and Bangkok. Earlier this year it filed an application with SET to list Big C Retail Corp (BRC), the holding company of the Big C Supercenter. It is exploring a listing application in Hong Kong, he added.

    He expects the listings to take place as soon as the fourth quarter, but the final decision will depend on market conditions. Aswin declined to comment on the fundraising, but analysts expect the firm to raise as much as US$1 billion.

    “A listing in Hong Kong will pave the way for future opportunities to cooperate with other leading companies listed in the city,” Aswin said. “Hong Kong’s active trading volumes and exposure to Chinese and global investors make it an ideal location for BRC to list outside our home market.”

    The China Securities Regulatory Commission in March added international firms listed in Hong Kong to the southbound Stock Connect for mainland Chinese investors to trade.

    Aswin said the plan to list in the city was largely because of the active marketing efforts of the Hong Kong government and the HKEX.

    “Last year, when Chief Executive John Lee came to Thailand for the Apec meeting, he held a dinner meeting with a few Thai business executives, where a Hong Kong stock exchange representative invited us to list our company in Hong Kong,” he said. “Which is why we explored opportunities to list here.”

    Big C’s listing will be a huge achievement for Aguzin, a former JPMorgan banker who has helmed the HKEX since 2021, as he has been keen on attracting international companies. Towards that end, Aguzin has overseen the opening of HKEX offices in New York and London and has also visited the Middle East and Southeast Asia to market the city.

    The listing will also boost Big C’s links with mainland China, whose outlets are widely visited by Chinese tourists in Thailand, Aswin said.

    The Sirivadhanabhakdis have been operating a family office in Hong Kong for many years, through which they have been making investments. Aswin said the investments will increase in the coming years after the Hong Kong government in March offered additional benefits, including tax incentives, to encourage wealthy families to expand their family offices.

    “Both my father-in-law and I are of Chinese origin,” Aswin said. “We speak Chinese at home; all my three children speak Putonghua. We always travel to Hong Kong for good food and visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple. It is happy memories in Hong Kong.”

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  • Thai grocery retailer Big C eyes $500 million IPO

    Thai grocery retailer Big C eyes $500 million IPO

    Big C Supercenter, which runs supermarkets and convenience stores in South-east Asia, is considering going public again in Bangkok through an initial public offering that could raise more than US$500 million, according to people familiar with the matter.

    The Bangkok-based company is sounding out investment banks for proposals for the share sale, which could happen as soon as next year, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private.

    Discussions are ongoing and details of the potential offering such as fundraising size and timing could still change, the people said. An investor relations representative for Berli Jucker, the owner of Big C, said they have no information on the IPO plans so far.

    Big C was founded by Thailand’s Central Group in 1993 and opened its first store on Chaengwattana Road. The company raised about US$112 million in a Thai IPO in 2012.

    TCC Holding, controlled by Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, in 2016 agreed to purchase a 58.6 per cent stake in Big C for 3.1 billion euros (S$4.34 billion) from French retailer Casino Guichard Perrachon. Big C was delisted in 2017 after Berli Jucker, a subsidiary of TCC, took it private.

    Big C operates 1,792 stores including convenience stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, according to its latest presentation. The company earlier this year acquired 18 Kiwi Mart stores in Cambodia and plans to rebrand them into Big C Mini stores.

  • Thailand’s Big C buys Cambodian retailer Kiwi Mart

    Thailand’s Big C buys Cambodian retailer Kiwi Mart

    Big C Supercenter Plc, a leading retail operator in Thailand, has acquired Kiwi Mart — a convenience store chain in Cambodia — via its Cambodian subsidiary to strengthen its retail business in the neighbouring country.

    According to Gary Hardy, an adviser of Big C Supercenter, Big C Supercenter (Cambodia) reached an agreement to acquire Kiwi Mart in Cambodia last week.

    The acquisition was effective as of May 17, but the value of the deal has not been disclosed.

    “The acquisition of Kiwi Mart is an important opportunity for both Big C and its parent firm, Berli Jucker Plc, to expand business in the Asean region, including Cambodia,” he said.

    The deal allows Big C to own 18 Kiwi Mart stores in Cambodia, 17 of which are in Phnom Penh, with the other branch located in Kampot province.

    Big C has had a presence in Cambodia since 2019, with the first Big C hypermarket opening in Poipet, with a total space of 8,000 square metres.

    Currently, Big C operates two branches in Cambodia — one branch of Big C Mini and one branch of Big C hypermarket.

    Kiwi Mart was established in 2017 as a 24-hour convenience store, selling a variety of products, including French, Thai and local brands, targeting domestic and foreign customers.

    “Big C realised an opportunity to expand our business to cover all areas of Cambodia via online and offline platforms, making our products easy to access and come closer to Cambodian consumers,” he said.

    Aswin Techachareonvikul, chief executive of Big C Supercenter, said Big C plans to continuously expand its branches in Cambodia to tap into the country’s consumers whose purchasing power keeps increasing.

    The company expects its business expansion in Cambodia to be able to create job opportunities for up to 1,200 local people over the next few years.

    In March, Big C’s parent company Berli Jucker unveiled plans to spend 60-70 billion baht under a five-year business plan running from 2022 to 2026 to double the size of its modern retail business across Southeast Asia with an anticipated doubling of sales to 270 billion baht.

    Some 12-14 billion baht will be earmarked annually for the next five years as it plans to expand its business and develop an Asean trading platform, customer data platform, supplier management platform and product and service development platform to sustain its sales and profits.

    Of the total, 70% of the budget will support retail business, while 30% is slated for packaging, consumer products and healthcare business.

    The firm will open 2,091 modern retail stores across Southeast Asia during this period, increasing the number of its modern retail stores to 3,739 stores from 1,648 at present.

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  • Big C brand name to be fully replaced by Tops Market, GO!

    Big C brand name to be fully replaced by Tops Market, GO!

    Retail chain Big C plans to rebrand all its outlets as Tops Market or GO! this year, laying the Big C name to rest after 22 years in Vietnam.

    Thailand’s Central Retail, its owner, began the process on March 1 by changing the names of three Big C outlets in HCM City, in An Phu and Thao Dien in District 2 and Au Co in Tan Phu District, to Tops Market.

    The four stores in Hanoi in Tu Liem, Ha Dong, Thanh Tri, and Thanh Xuan districts will be renamed soon.

    By the end of last year five Big C hypermarkets in Nha Trang City, Can Tho and Ha Long cities and Binh Duong and Vinh Phuc provinces had their names changed to GO!.

    The company said the rebranding is meant to create a new look and upgrade its shopping space.

    Central Group bought Big C Vietnam from France’s Casino Group in 2016 for over $1 billion.

    From 2022, the Big C brand will only exist in Thailand, where it is owned by TCC Group led by tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.

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  • AEON partners with Big C to launch ‘Big C World Mastercard’ for the ultimate shoppers in the New Normal era

    AEON partners with Big C to launch ‘Big C World Mastercard’ for the ultimate shoppers in the New Normal era

    Mr. Nuntawat Chotvijit (Left), Director of AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) Public Company Limited, a leading retail finance company, together with Dr. Piyawan Piyapong (Right), Executive Vice President-Service and Ecommerce Business of Big C Supercenter Public Company Limited, Thailand’s leading hypermarket business announced the premier of “Big C World Mastercard”, a credit card that provides exclusive contactless payment solution that suits the cashless lifestyle of the ‘New Normal’ shoppers. The card offers superior shopping benefits and experience, both online and offline at Big C stores nationwide, under the slogan “The best credit card @ Big C “. Benefits include up to 10% discount for Big C shopping online and 7% discount including the electrical appliances department at Big C stores. Cardholders will also earn x5 reward points for a shopping of THB 10,000 or more, with terms applied, as well as a 10-months 0% installment plan at the electrical appliances department. In addition, cardholders can earn 1 AEON Happy Point for every THB 20 spent, which can be used to redeem Big C gift vouchers and many other privileges from the Big Card at leading partner stores.

    Exclusively for the launch of Big C World Mastercard, customers that spend a total of THB 30,000 or above by the card will receive a Lock & Lock Frying Pan, Eco Fryer 3.5 liters valued THB 4,490, along with THB 500 Big C discount code. Apply to receive special privileges from July 1st to December 31st, 2020.

  • Big C reveals expansion plans at home and abroad

    Big C reveals expansion plans at home and abroad

    Thai supermarket business Big C is planning to spend THB6.5 billion (US$214 million) on expansion both domestically and internationally next year.

    While the majority of the funds earmarked for growth will go towards development within the brand’s home territory, THB500 million ($16.5 million) will be set aside for overseas expansion. The brand has just launched its first 8000sqm Big C in Cambodia, and has designs on a launch in Laos next year.

    The firm’s domestic thrust is focused on small retail outlets – branded Mini Big C – designed to facilitate its reach to more customers in Bangkok and beyond. It is also investigating 3000–5000sqm hypermarkets as a “town centre” concept.

    “We are committed to investing in Thailand next year because we are confident in the country’s economic foundation,” said Big C’s CEO Aswin Techajareonvikul. “From next year, we will pay more attention to expanding our retail business abroad, focusing on Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, where the economies are strong.”

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  • Big C opens first store in Cambodia

    Big C opens first store in Cambodia

    Supermarket chain Big C has opened its first store in Cambodia.

    The firm has opened on a more-than 2ha site in Poipet, a booming town on the Thai/Cambodian border, with a reported investment of US$6.8 million and offering more than 1200 jobs.

    A statement on the firm’s Facebook page reported by the Khmer Times read: “A soft opening for the Poipet Hypermarket was held under our vision to be the leading Thai retailer with customers at heart.”

    Cambodia is now the fourth country Big C operates in, following Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

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  • 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.

  • Supermarket retailer Big C opens 147th hypermarket

    Supermarket retailer Big C opens 147th hypermarket

    Supermarket retailer Big C has launched its 147th hypermarket at Nakhon Si Thammarat. Big C Supercenter CEO Aswin Techajareonvikul said Big C’s business has continued to expand this year. “We are recruiting new employees to drive our promising business providing the best shopping experience to our customers. “In Nakhon Si Thammarat, we are offering the new shop-in-shop concept serving the variety of customers. We also focus on home appliance and electronic products responding to trend and consumers’ interests in electronics and IT products.”

    The new centre will employ more than 1000 workers and joins the firm’s network of hypermarkets, 60 markets, 671 Mini Big Cs, and 138 Pure Pharmacies, as well as e-commerce channel Big C Shopping.

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  • Big C to open in Malaysia

    Big C to open in Malaysia

    Thai Hypermarket Big C appears to be preparing to enter Malaysia. According to several websites, Fraser and Neave, a subsidiary of billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s TCC Group, is in the process of completing local regulatory requirements through Ministry of International Trade and Industry to prepare for the launch of Big C Malaysia.

    The target opening date has not been confirmed.

    However, the first Big C Malaysia Supercentre is expected to be located in Kedah in northwest Malaysia, near the Thai border.

    Big C currently operates in Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

    Many Malaysians reportedly cross the border into Thailand to shop at the Big C hypermarket in Hat Yai, in Thailand’s south, giving the company confidence its offer would be popular among residents of its neighbouring country.

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  • Morrisons seals supply deal with Big C

    Morrisons seals supply deal with Big C

    UK supermarkets group Morrisons has secured a supply partnership with Thai grocery chain Big C.

    The firm will be sending 100 branded products to feature on Big C shelves in what represents a major international partner for Morrison’s, which otherwise has a minor presence in Gibraltar and the Channel Islands. The company also previously supplied its own-label products to a Hong Kong e-commerce platform British Essentials.

    Morrison’s CEO David Potts has stated the company is not currently pursuing an international strategy – the partnership with Big C is the result of unexpectedly fast growth in the company’s wholesale business.

    Morrison’s revenues increased 4.5 per cent over the past half year compared to the same period last year. While same-store retail figures grew 2.1 per cent, its wholesale business grew 2.8 per cent.

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  • Massive expansion for Central Group Vietnam

    Massive expansion for Central Group Vietnam

    Thai retail conglomerate Central Group is planning to triple its Vietnamese businesses in the next five years.

    With the planned investment of US$500 million, the retailer is expanding its stores and shopping malls in the country to as many as 750, along with new retail formats.

    “We are very strong in Vietnam in food business which is the primary need of consumers, but we are also preparing for the future, for the needs consumers are going to have [beyond] food,” Central Group Vietnam CEO Philippe Broianigo said in Bangkok this week.

    Central has already tested the market with its cosmetics retail concept Hello Beauty, DIY store Home Mart, and LookKool gift shop which has already expanded to 26 stores.

    New shops will open within its Big C-anchored malls to draw in grocery shoppers, and will soon expand to other venues, according to Broianigo.

    Established in July 2011, Central Group Vietnam has built its portfolio via acquisitions of electronics retailer Nguyen Kim, supermarket chain Big C and fashion e-commerce platform Zalora which was converted into Robins online.

    Last year, sales grew by double digits, reaching $1.3 billion.

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  • Thai investors acquiring more retail market share in Vietnam

    Thai investors acquiring more retail market share in Vietnam

    In 2015, just after four years of establishment, Central Group Vietnam (CGV), acquired 49 percent of stake of Nguyen Kim. In 2016 alone, CGV acquired two big brands – Big C Vietnam and Lan Chi Mart. Through M&A deals, CGV has also brought other brands from Thailand and other countries to Vietnam.

    BJC, a subsidiary of TCC Holdings, has also been expanding in Vietnam. With MM Mega Market alone, BJC has 19 shopping centers, 3 entrepots in Da Lat (fresh vegetables and fruits), Dong Nai (fresh pork), Can Tho (seafood) and two general storehouses that provide fresh food. Besides, it also has B’s Mart with the network covering large cities.

    In 2016, after wrapping up the deal of taking over Metro Cash & Carry, BJC renamed the supermarket chain as MM Mega Market Vietnam, and since then, it has been following the business strategy with B2B (70 percent) and B2C (30 percent) Investment modes.

    Phidsanu Pongwatana, managing director of MM Mega Market, said the company is building the first pork entrepot in the north. It plans to open one to three distribution centers in the north next year, which will create 700 jobs.

    In 2017, CGV announced investment of $30 million to increase retail premises in Vietnam to 470,000 square meters.

    Meanwhile, the holding company in Thailand plans to invest $6.4 billion more in the next five years to expand the domestic and overseas markets, especially Vietnam, which is a key part in its plan to expand operation in the retail and hotel fields.

    Vietnam is considered a potential market, expected to bring to the group turnover four times higher in the next five years. It strives for revenue of $13 billion this year, an increase of 14 percent over 2017. Tos Chirathivat, CEO of Central Group, said the group would open 500 more shops in Vietnam by 2022.

    An analyst said Thai investors are now eyeing Vietnam because the market is witnessing development like Thailand did some decades ago with the rapid increase of the middle class and high economic growth rates.

    He also said the young population, increased consumption level, and the tariff cut to zero percent all have turned Vietnam into a vast market in ASEAN.

    According to the Foreign Investment Agency, the accumulative capital registered by Thai investors in Vietnam by March 2018 had reached $9.3 billion.

    With 490 projects, Thailand now ranks 10th among 126 countries and territories having FDI in Vietnam.

  • AEON teams up with Big C to launch “More Delightful Every Day” campaign

    AEON teams up with Big C to launch “More Delightful Every Day” campaign

    Mr.Nuntawat Chotvijit (left), Director of AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) Public Company Limited together with Dr. Piyawan Piyapong (right), Senior Vice President New Service Development of Big C Supercenter Public Company Limited launched the “More Delightful Every Day” campaign for the Big C Platinum PayWave Credit Card. The card offers more happiness and benefits for cardholders with a 5% instant discount on every purchase at Big C, up to a maximum of 1,500 baht discount per month, per card when purchasing selected items, including electric appliances paid in full, at Big C Supercenter, Big C Extra, Big C Market, Mini Big C, and Big C Online Shopping from 1st June – 31st December 2018.

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