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Tag: Thailand

  • How the retail industry has fared in 2018

    How the retail industry has fared in 2018

    The overall retail market in India 2018 stood at Rs 43,251 billion and is forecast to grow by 6.4 percent CAGR in 2018-2023. Retailing in India still predominantly takes place in physical stores and shopping behaviour between urban and rural consumers continues to be vastly different. Smaller independents (both grocery retailers and non-grocery specialists) continued to dominate the landscape they faced growing competition from modern outlets opening in out-of-town shopping centres and malls capturing the Tier II & III markets.

    This year, we witnessed modern retailers launch interesting payments schemes and effective pricing strategies to propel the sales. For example, leading retailer Future Group launched its payment wallet Future Pay which can be used in all its retail brand outlets. Retailers also capitalised on growing acceptance of modern retail by developing new marketing schemes and strategies to attract shoppers.

    Additionally, multi-channel strategies remained key for retailers as they are developed online platforms that are also smartphone and tablet compatible to drive Internet sales.

    Furthermore, retailers also increased their new private labels products. This is was done for certain grocery categories like: packaged foods, non-alcoholic drinks, beauty and personal care and home care products.

    Finally, subscription-based retailing practices started to pick up in 2018. Although still relatively niche, and limited only to urban India, the subscription-based model for beauty and personal care and consumer health became quite popular in metropolitan cities.

    What are the retail trends that are going to rule the roost in retail in 2019?

    – Retailing will continue to offer potential for grocery retailers. Convenience stores and forecourt retailers are likely to continue to see healthy growth rates as their format can meet the demands arising from changing lifestyles by offering more convenient shopping solutions, both in terms of location, business hours and product range.

    – Given the rising maturity of retailing in metros/urban areas, retailers have slowly started to focus on the semi-urban consumer base. This has resulted in the slow and steady urbanisation of shopping styles amongst semi-urban consumers.

    – As the labour crunch and high rentals continue to affect the retail landscape in India, hypermarkets are looking to ramp up investment on self-service technology and automation to reduce costs and improve customer experience. Some hypermarkets chains have implemented self-service kiosks at checkout counters, generally with positive results because of reduced waiting times. Investments have also been made into automated ordering systems, which has helped brands reduce storage space at outlets, hence control rental costs. This can be expected to grow during 2019 as well.

    – Furthermore supermarkets are likely to push the broadening of key product categories, such as organic fresh food, soft drinks and packaged food. They are also likely to further narrow the line between foodservice and grocery retailing, with the introduction and integration of new foodservice elements within their stores.

    – Non-grocery retailing will likely be impacted by the growth of internet retailing at the expense of specific store-based retailers and other non-store channels. Consumers are expected to increasingly shop and research products online, with the popularity of smartphones making mobile-optimised sites and shopping apps crucial in attracting consumers. Moreover, social media will be used more often to alert consumers to attractive price promotions and build interest in new product launches. Also, omni-channel strategies will remain key for non-grocery retailers.

    – Non-grocery retailers will increasingly integrate their online brand information with store inventory, as consumers expect to find the same products in both channels. Moreover, to minimise showrooming, players will also need compelling reasons for customers to buy their brands in store, whether in terms of product selection or price competitiveness.

    – The entry of Amazon and Flipkart could stimulate a much-needed increase in the competition, which will bring both opportunities and threats for existing food and drinks retailers in India. Amazon with ‘Amazon Pantry’ and Flipkart with ‘Flipkart Supermart’ eventually launched its online grocery business in 2018. Millennials and affluent consumers were encouraged to change from shopping in physical stores to online in 2018 with convenience and heavy discounts on offer. Also, with increasing investments from player such as Amazon who are expected to buy skate in Future Retail and PayTm who have partnered with BigBasket and Future Group to strengthen its online grocery business, the food and drinks internet retailing is expected to show tremendous growth in 2019.

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  • Vietnam labor costs highest among ASEAN comparators

    Vietnam labor costs highest among ASEAN comparators

    Vietnam’s labor cost is the highest among comparator countries in Southeast Asia, a World Bank report says.

    In a report on enhancing enterprise competitiveness and enhancing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) linkages, it says Vietnam’s labor costs are higher than in comparable Southeast Asian peers.

    It defines labor costs for each firm as the cost of all payments to all workers divided by the number of workers.

    It says wage costs about $2,739 per worker for the median Vietnamese firm, about twice as high as in Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia, and about 30 to 45 percent higher than in Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines.

    While Vietnam’s labor costs are higher than in the rest of the region, they seem in line with productivity levels and thus do not seem to be a major obstacle to competitiveness, the report says.

    The average manufacturing firm in Vietnam produces about $10,500 worth of value-added per worker per year, higher than in most countries in Southeast Asia. It is around $10,000 in Malaysia, and $5,000 in Cambodia.

    Vietnam’s relatively high value appears to be partly driven by high and growing use of capital, the report says.

    The report also breaks down labor productivity in the country by region. The north-central and central coastal regions of Vietnam have the highest productivity — of almost $16,000 value addition per worker — while the southeast comes in second at $14,000.

    The Red River Delta region has a productivity of only $7,000, and it is even lower in the Mekong River Delta at around $6,000.

    It also said that foreign-owned firms are generally more productive than domestic firms, which can be explained by their easier access to technology and finance through their parent companies.

    The World Bank report also says that capital productivity is low in Vietnam. The ratio of sales to value capital in Vietnam is around 160 percent, lower than in any of its peers in Southeast Asia. The bank’s data confirms that capital might not be used very efficiently in Vietnam.

  • Auto industry revs up industrial real estate in Vietnam

    Auto industry revs up industrial real estate in Vietnam

    Industrial real estate developers have been reaping the benefits of the investment surge into Vietnam’s automobile industry. Over the past three years, auto producers from Europe, the U.S. and Asia have been increasingly renting out industrial space and manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, giving real estate developers a significant boost.

    This is the conclusion drawn by a recent report by real estate service firm CBRE Vietnam which evaluates the impact of growth of the Vietnamese automobile industry on the industrial real estate market.

    The report notes that Camoplast Solideal from Luxembourg has rented 70,000 square meters of land to open a tire factory, and Schaeffler from Germany, 55,000 square meters to develop production facilities.

    Mercedes from Germany has rented 5,500 square meters of land to open a distribution center, while Bentley from the United Kingdom has rented 5,000 square meters for a showroom and service center.

    Yazaki of Japan has rented 39,000 square meters for electric car cable production, and Mogul Federal from the U.S. 5,000 square meters to make seats.

    The CBRE report says that although Vietnam’s car manufacturing sector may be behind some other ASEAN countries, the consolidation of cleared land allocated for automobile production is increasing.

    For both foreign and domestic producers, manufacturing facilities are mainly clustered in the north. Auto producers tend to choose this area to rent industrial land, the CBRE report says.

    Due to higher demand for industrial land, rentals have increased, recently.

    At an industrial park in southern province of Dong Nai, the price to rent industrial land for long-term leases of up to 50 years reached $90 per square meter last month, up from $60 to $70 last year.

    The average rent of industrial land in northern Vietnam hit $82 per square meter per lease term in Q3, an increase of nearly 9 percent compared to Q1, according to a report by real estate service firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).

    Hanoi’s average rents increased significantly to $137 per square meter per lease term, the highest in the north, driven by limited supply.

    There are only 358 businesses in the auto industry in Vietnam compared to 2,500 in Thailand, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and observers have said that the potential for growth is high.

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  • Asian stocks slump after Fed raises interest rates

    Asian stocks slump after Fed raises interest rates

    Tokyo led a rout of Asian shares today, mirroring big losses on Wall Street after the Federal Reserve (Fed) defied unprecedented pressure from US President Donald Trump and raised interest rates, sparking fears the move could choke economic growth.

    The Nikkei plunged to a 15-month low as investors took fright over the pace of monetary tightening, with a slump triggered by the Dow’s fall to its lowest level of 2018 gathering pace.

    The Fed raised rates for the fourth time this year – as expected – but markets reacted badly after chairman Jerome Powell said the bank would not shift course on reducing its balance sheet.

    Investors had hoped for a less aggressive approach amid concern that global growth is slowing, while Powell played down the impact of recent market turmoil on the US economy.

    “They think the Fed has completely misjudged the situation and now it’s just a matter of … trying to find an exit while you can,“ said Kyle Rodda, a market analyst at IG Group in Melbourne.

    “We’re probably entering a stage now where markets have got it (in) their head that we’re preparing for quite sustained downside going into 2019.”

    The Fed now projects only two interest rate increases, down from three previously, as it trimmed its forecast for US growth and inflation.

    Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA, said the “Fed delivered a dovish hike, but clearly, there wasn’t enough affirmation in the statement that the Fed was close to pausing or ending their interest rate hike cycle sooner than expected”.

    But some analysts urged caution.

    “The market overreacted to the Fed, I think,“ said Shane Oliver, head of invest-ment strategy at AMP Capital Investors in Sydney.

    “It is moving in a dovish direction and is on track for a pause in the first half of next year. Markets are being driven by fear rather than fundamentals.”

    But the spillover from the rate hike continued to rattle investors in Asia today, deepening concern over global growth prospects which are already facing headwinds from Trump’s trade war with Beijing, a slowing Chinese economy, and potential turmoil from Britain quitting the European Union.

    Japanese stocks also declined after the Bank of Japan left ultralow rates unchanged, with the threat of trade protectionism and slowing global growth casting a pall over the export-driven economy. A strong yen also put downward pressure on stocks with the dollar falling below ¥112.

    Nissan dropped more than 2% after a Japanese court rejected prosecutors’ request to extend the detention of former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn after his arrest for financial misconduct.

    Shanghai fell more than 0.5%, even after the People’s Bank of China said it would supply lower-cost liquidity for up to three years to banks willing to lend more to small companies, as policy makers aim to shore up the flagging economy.

    Sydney closed more than 1% lower while Hong Kong and Seoul were down 0.9% each.

    The equities slump spread to Europe. Around 1100 GMT, London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 0.5% with losses capped by stronger-than-expected UK retail sales data and as traders looked ahead to the outcome of the Bank of England’s regular monetary policy meeting later today.

    In the eurozone, Frankfurt’s DAX 30 shed 1.0% and the Paris CAC 40 slumped 1.5%.

  • SHISEIDO X SIRIVANNAVARI Princess Hanayaka Collection

    SHISEIDO X SIRIVANNAVARI Princess Hanayaka Collection

    Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, in her capacity as Creative Director of SIRIVANNAVARI, has graciously designed a special makeup collection “SHISEIDO X SIRIVANNAVARI Princess Hanayaka Collection”. Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is in charge of every design step, from meticulously selecting the color schemesand different shades for the beauty productsto designing the packaging.

    The princess used the graphics and drawings from her previous fashion collections to create elegant and graceful new designs. The whole process took over 2 years of her dedication.

    Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, in her capacity as Creative Director of SIRIVANNAVARI, graciously shares her thoughts on the “Princess Hanayaka Collection”:

    “SIRIVANNAVARI has always wanted to create the beauty products that can fully answer the needs of women in Asia.This is also what SHISEIDO wants as a premium makeup brand that understands the needs of Asian women well. That is how the collaboration of this collection started. I am very glad that we both share the same intention, which is to create what will enable the beauty of women in Asia to glow from inside and out naturally. For this collection, my intention is to create the beauty products that are compact, easy and convenient to apply. The colors in the palette must be beautiful and highly flexible for various combinations of mix and match for different occasions, from daytime natural look to nighttime glamour. One palette can be applied for eyes, cheeks, and lips makeup while the texture of the cosmetics must make it easy for different color combinations. I chose all the color schemes and different shades for this collection myself based on what color combinations I think will best bring out women’s beauty. I then used those colors to work with the graphics and drawings inspired by previous SIRIVANNAVARI collections to design the packaging. The drawings of rice ears, bees, and lovebirds are used as the main designs. When combined with a Japanese touch, the lines and feels become perfect for the packaging designs of this collection.”

    The collection Princess Hanayaka, meaning “a woman whois vivacious and as ravishingly beautiful as a princess” consists of 4 beauty products, which altogether create the perfect makeup: from blush to lipsticks, and from face illuminator to eye color.

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  • PM for Men by Pomelo is launched

    PM for Men by Pomelo is launched

    JD.com-backed fashion brand, Pomelo Fashion, is launching a menswear label called Pomelo Man (PM.). The label will be making its debut in Thailand, launching exclusively on the App available on both iOS and Android. PM aims to offer a new shopping experience to the modern man, transitioning from the online to offline world, on-the-go seamlessly.

    Customers can now walk into a PM location, get measured by the store crew and never have to bother about sizing while shopping on the App again. Addressing one of the biggest drawbacks of online shopping – sizing, the brand aims to innovatively take it out of the equation altogether. Through technology, PM helps customers find what they call their unique ‘Perfect Fit’. With key items like t-shirts, chino pants, hoodies, and accessories, the brand will become a one-stop shop for every man’s daily fashion needs. PM takes it up a notch by providing all men with a ‘Man Lounge’ complete with free Wi-Fi, USB charging stations, and video games, all of which can be enjoyed by customers and everyone else alike.

    Opening its pop up store to customers at Siam Square One on December 20th, 2018, PM will offer affordable, yet premium clothing ranging from 390 THB to 1,590 THB. For customers that download and register on the App – the brand will be giving away free t-shirts in their ‘perfect size’. The first collection consists of wardrobe essentials such as t-shirts, pants, outerwear, and accessories in expansive size options, available at the stores for a fitting and to be purchased on the Pomelo App. Going further, PM would roll out monthly drops composed of not only everyday essentials, but eventually branching out to polos, shirts, and a mix of both formal and informal styles.

    David Jou, Pomelo’s CEO, commented: “With PM we wanted to re-imagine men’s fashion. We wanted something classic, yet fresh and contemporary, combined with the latest technology to create an effortless shopping experience.”

    He added, “PM has no sizes. It’s built for the urban gentleman who is always on the go and seamlessly traverses between the digital and physical. We wanted to start with a focused and approachable collection that will grow over time as the brand itself grows. The PM app is at the center of the experience.”

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  • AEON Thailand Foundation donation proceeded

    AEON Thailand Foundation donation proceeded

    Last week, Mr.Kiyoyasu Asanuma (4th from left), Chairman of AEON Thailand Foundation, and Ms.Suporn Wattanavekin (3rd from left), Vice Chairman of AEON Thailand Foundation, together with Mr. Nuntawat Chotvijit (2nd from left), Director of Marketing, AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) Public Company Limited and Mr.Veerawat Ariyaviriyanant (left), President & CEO of Data Products Toppan Forms Ltd. donated 1,000,000 Baht from the “AEON Charity Bowling Competition You are a HERO” to Ramathibodi Foundation in support of “New Innovation for treatment of cancer ” program. The donation was received on behalf of the foundation by Prof. Dr. Suradej Hongeng (4th from right), Executive Director of Ramathibodi Foundation and the research team from the Ramathibodi Hospital.

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  • Now tourist can claim VAT refund in downtown Bangkok

    Now tourist can claim VAT refund in downtown Bangkok

    According to the announcement by the government’s Reveue Department regarding ‘Downtown VAT Refund for Tourist’, the campaign has kickstarted an initiative to set up counters in numerous locations across central Bangkok to help tourists proceed with VAT refund upon shopping at permitted VAT refundable retailers. VAT refund will be returned to tourists in the form of cash in Thai Baht, encouraging them to continue shopping in Thailand with ease and convenience. Apart from helping tourists, the campaign is initiated to promote growth and balanced income distribution to small businesses.

    As one of the founding parties of VAT Refund Center (Thailand) Co.,Ltd, Siam Piwat Co., Ltd. is proud to be the official partner and the representative to assist tourists with VAT refund processes in these 5 locations across Central Bangkok; Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, Central Chidlom, Robinson Sukhumvit,  and The Emporium. As one of the partnering department stores, Siam Paragon has completed all preparations to help and service incoming tourists at the highest capacity.

    Senior Executive Vice President for Siam Piwat Co., Ltd. retail business development division Charnchai Cherdchoowongtha-nakorn said, “Siam Paragon is delighted to fully support the government’s policies and work with the Revenue Department. ‘Downtown VAT Refund for Tourist’ is set up to be a key area on G Floor where tourists can find conveniently, as it is located by one of our entrances connected to BTS Skytrain and taxi stops. Additionally, adept, knowledgeable and service-minded staff have been assigned to accomodate tourists with paperwork and essential procedures in order to fully and successfully comply with policies from the Revenue Department.”

    “Not only will shopping tourists of Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery find it convenient to proceed with VAT refund at Siam Paragon, all tourists who have purchased goods, in accordance with all policies by the Revenue Department are welcomed to complete all necessary procedures at our department stores. The convenience of VAT refund at Siam Paragon is extremely helpful for those who have purchased in the popular shopping destination Siam as hundreds of SME businesses, small retailers and corporations are located in the area, covering an vast space of 2,000,000 sqm, with over 20 hotels to accommodate international tourists in more than 3,000 rooms available – with extra support from Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain system, connecting Ratchathevi and National Stadium to Siam station.”

    “According to statistics, out of 400,000 – 500,000 shopping tourists per day at One Siam, an average of 938 VAT Refund Form ( P.P. 10) have been filled each day from shops and retail spaces in Siam Paragon, totaling to a signification amount of 342,494 applicants.”

    “Based on Siam’s all-round advantages, we are confident that our VAT refund counter on G Floor of Siam Paragon will be the key point of service for all international tourist groups. Not only will these counters help tourists in making better decisions about visiting Thailand, the amount of amount refuned back to them will potentially be spent on additional purchases in Thailand. Consequently, it would help boost our economy. I can see this initiative having positive influence on the number of Thailand-bound tourists – more by volume and frequency,” Charnchai stated.

    The initiative of establishing VAT refund counters directly impacts the tourism industry on multiple levels: 1. Amount of retained money which tourists have spent after receiving VAT refund helps small retailers and businesses, which, in turn, strengthens Thailand’s economy; 2. The growth in sales volume and sales value is proportional to the rate of economic growth and revenue from tourist spending; 3. A significant decline in VAT refund at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Airport reflects positive a sign of service improvement; 4. VAT refund for tourists promotes better opportunities for local retail shops to generate more sales.

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  • Visa and The Mall Group collaborate to drive the future of retail in Thailand

    Visa and The Mall Group collaborate to drive the future of retail in Thailand

    Visa, the world’s leader in digital payments, and The Mall Group, Thailand’s leading retail and entertainment complex developer, last week announced a new long-term partnership set to drive the future of retail in Thailand.

    Building on their existing relationship, this partnership will see The Mall Group and Visa develop personalised shopping experiences for consumers, using Visa’s capabilities and exploring new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), biometrics, as well as data analytics to understand changing consumer behaviours.

    Chris Clark, Visa’s Regional President for Asia Pacific, said: “We believe payment technology can be a key differentiator for The Mall Group helping it to deliver a faster, more convenient and more personalised shopping experience for consumers. We’re looking forward to working together to drive payments innovation at The Mall Group’s expansive locations across Thailand.”

    Supaluck Umpujh, Chairwoman of The Mall Group, said: “The partnership with Visa represents a significant step into a new era of retail where customer experience is at the heart of everything we do. Our goal is to explore and leverage the latest innovations that will add value to our business. This will consequently benefit our shoppers and help strengthen our position as a world-class shopping destination among both local and international visitors.”

    Studies have shown that by 2020 AI will be responsible for managing 85 percent of retail customer interactions and as many as 100 million consumers will use AR to create a more novel shopping experience.

    For decades, Visa, together with its merchant partners, has consistently invested in growing electronic payments in Thailand. This has included educating consumers and merchants on the benefits of electronic payments, expanding the acceptance of electronic payments, and introducing new technologies to enhance the payment experience and make it more secure, such as EMV, contactless payment technology, tokenisation, and Visa QR payments.

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  • Copperwired adding .Life stores next year

    Copperwired adding .Life stores next year

    Gadget retailer Copperwired is set to invest THB165 million (US$5.036 million) opening 30 new .Life stores by the end of next year. The new .Life stores include a new 310sqm flagship at CentralWorld, described as the “largest gadget lifestyle shop featuring Internet of Things (IoT) technology in Thailand”, which opened in September.

    The brand’s public listing on the Thai exchange is expected next year.

    “With the adoption of 5G, the number of connected devices will increase, and IoT in the form of connected toys, smart homes and smart transport and new demand for product categories will rise accordingly,” said Copperwired CEO Paramate Rienjaroensuk.

    The company expects .Life stores to boost its income by more than 20 per cent in the current financial year to more than THB800 million (US$24.414 million).

  • Ashley HomeStore adds stores in Vietnam and more

    Ashley HomeStore adds stores in Vietnam and more

    American furniture store chain Ashley HomeStore has expanded globally with new stores in Vietnam, Thailand and New Zealand. In support of the move, the company has established a 400,000sqft consolidation warehouse in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City. The new facility will allow a faster order response time.

    The firm’s president and CEO Todd Wanek said: “As a company, we’ve achieved many milestones this year. The largest has been the growth of our global footprint, which exceeds 900 HomeStores worldwide. This major accomplishment stands as a true testament to our global brand recognition.”

    HomeStore now operates in 54 countries with 310 locations.

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  • ICONSIAM to launch event to boost Thai’s tourism

    ICONSIAM to launch event to boost Thai’s tourism

    Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019 at ICONSIAM is a truly amazing event of the country with a great collaboration of entities from the public and private sectors and surrounding communities to organize a New Year Celebration in a scale never before seen along the Chao Phraya riverside, the place that has become the NATIONAL ICONIC LANDMARK and ICON of Eternal Prosperity.

    Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019 under the theme of “The River of Prosperity” will make the New Year Celebration sensational on Monday, December 31, 2018, from 18:00 hrs. This New Year Celebration is jointly organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and ICONSIAM in collaboration with The ICONSIAM Superlux Residence Corporation Limited, The ICONSIAM Residences Corporation Limited. In addition, our partners both from the public and private sectors are also actively involved—including Association of Chao Phraya Commerce, Marine Department, Siam Commercial Bank, TRUE Corporation Public Company Limited, Kasikorn Bank, Thai Shipping Association, Bangkok River Partners, and Chao Phraya Riverside Communities.

    According to Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said that “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019 is a major event that TAT has consistently organized over the years at various destinations throughout the country. The purpose is to promote Thailand as the ultimate destination for Thai and overseas tourists alike. It’s also an effective way to help stimulate the economy and distribute income to people in every region in the country. More importantly, it supplements our effort to make tourism sustainable. This year we’ll organize the event in 5 different regions: Bangkok, NakornPanom, Chiangrai, Rajburi, and Satul.

    In Bangkok, TAT and ICONSIAM plus other partners have mapped out a plan to make the upcoming event a grand New Year Celebration by the Chao Phraya River on December 31, where the venue will be at the River Park of ICONSIAM. This very venue is characterized by diversity comprising, for example, a unique way of life and local culture that would satisfy all tourists alike. Furthermore, local business entrepreneurs and hotels on both sides of the River will take part in this celebration in various forms such as lighting and colouring their premises, and overnight Buddhist praying. Another spectacular event is a fireworks display along the Chao Phraya River which will brighten the water current and create a favourable image of Thailand as an attractive tourist destination for all people throughout the world.

    Tourism is a major income earner for the Thai economy. As such, TAT’s mission is to promote tourism in Thailand and, as a result, engaged in an extensive public relations activities both at home and overseas. It is anticipated that over one million people shall attend the New Year Celebration that will transmit to the world a favourable image of Thailand as a vibrant and dynamic country. Equally important is that substantial spending will keep the money flowing into our economy.”

    Moreover, Narong Chearavanont, Chairman of the Board of The ICONSIAM Superlux Residence Corporation Ltd., added that “we are proud to have organized the “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019” with TAT and other partners. It is an effective way to present the beautiful image of the Chao Phraya River to the world and ICONSIAM as a riverside destination on the Chao Phraya River. We are honored to have been selected by TAT to organize the event. We are grateful for the active involvement of our partners who are committed to making the New Year Celebration event grand, impressive, and memorable for all tourists.” Here are major highlights of the upcoming Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019.

    A display of fireworks made from Thai sticker rice. These fireworks are an innovation that is      eco-friendly. This fireworks display is based on the concept of “The River of Prosperity.” It demonstrates the history of the Chao Phraya River pertaining to our way of life, tradition, and legends of Siam as a country. This 5-minute fireworks display is composed of 5 Acts.

    Act 1 – “The River of Prosperity” is a fireworks display in silver, gold, and bronze colours held together consecutively. Based on the beliefs of people, the three elements symbolize prosperity. As such, the first second of the New Year is to make the Chao Phraya River bright, beautiful, peaceful and prosperous as it has been over the years.

    Act 2 – “The Siam Treasure” is a fireworks display of multiple shapes and colours that reflect a close interconnection between our tradition, a way of life and the Chao Phraya River. Not only that the River was essential in daily human activities, it was also what people utilized for transportation, a naval route for diplomatic corps coming in to establish diplomatic relations with Siam, a way to transport products and conduct trade since Ayutthaya to present, a way to perform religious rites, and an attractive scenes that capture imagination of overseas tourists and generate income for our country.

    Act 3 – “The Blossom of Joy” is a fireworks display that creates excitement in more ways than one. The display is accompanied by Thai folk songs that reflect our uniqueness as fun-loving, friendly, and smiling people. Any overseas tourist visiting Thailand will become impressed with, for example, reciprocity of Thai people. Such an impression is enough to start a happy New Year by the Chao Phraya River-a bloodline of Thailand.

    Act 4 – “One World” is a fireworks display that highlights the flags of all countries. It also represents their connectivity through tourism, trade, education, cultural exchange based on equality that will flourish from the start of the New Year and in the years to come.

    Act 5 – “Thailand” is a fireworks display of the tricolours of the Thai flag along the Chao Phraya River. The tricolours of red, white and blue collectively represent our national identity as an independent country shielded by our solidarity and unity.

    The upcoming display of 5-Act fireworks will take place along the Chao Phraya River from                    5 different locations. The brightness of the fireworks can be seen within the vicinity of 1,400 meters, which is the longest and grandest display of fireworks ever on the Chao Phraya River.    The vicinity encompasses Peninsula Hotel, Millennium Hilton Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel. It is expected that over one million people will watch this display of fireworks within the 2-km vicinity.

    Furthermore, there will be a “Khon” performance (a type of Thai drama) at the event in honour of it being recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage. The Khon performance will be a New Year present for visitors.  It will be magnificent owing to the great number of performers, composition, details relating to Thai classical dance, warrior costumes and weapons. All of these protocols are truly our cultural treasures that are worth watching.

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  • Jysk Thailand to open 30 stores in five years

    Jysk Thailand to open 30 stores in five years

    Scandinavian furniture and homewares brand Jysk has launched its first store in Thailand with local franchise partner Boonthavorn Group. Located in a Ratchapruk shopping centre, the opening is the first of a planned six Jysk Thailand stores, with 30 anticipated to open within five years. A flagship and a small subway station outlet are among the stores scheduled to open shortly.

    Jysk Nordic’s franchise director Frederik Kare Kroun said one of the strengths of Jysk is its ability to be close to its customers by having a widespread network of stores.

    “That requires a good franchise partner, and by partnering up with Boonthavorn Group, I believe that we have an extremely strong foundation for the operation in Thailand.”

    Boonthavorn Group CEO Sitthisak Tayanuwat said: “Boonthavorn, with 40 years of experience with home styling products, will now place Jysk in its 51st country. To achieve this no less than 30 branches are planned to open all over Thailand within the coming five years.”

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  • Lego opens its first official store in Thailand at Siam Paragon

    Lego opens its first official store in Thailand at Siam Paragon

    The first certified Lego Thailand store has opened at Siam Paragon in Bangkok. The Danish building-toy manufacturer says the move is part of the brand’s strategic plan for Asian expansion. The new 170sqm Lego Thailand store has opened in a “co-sharing” partnership with DKSH (Thailand) Ltd. It  offers more than 300 Lego toys, 32 of which are exclusive to certified, branded Lego outlets.

    Lego Singapore GM for emerging Asia Atsushi Hasegawa said Thailand is an attractive market for Lego. “The country has an established economy, a large population and an established retail industry … We expect to see faster growth in Asia, including Thailand, and sustainable growth in Europe and America.”

    Hasegawa added that Lego’s targeting of the Asian market recognises that it is home to more than half of the world’s children. While Asia still has a low base for Lego toys compared to many established markets in the West, the company is seeing an opportunity to boost its sales by five or six times in the region.

    Gallery below (6 images) :

    According to Hasegawa, the company’s initial priority is not to increase the number of Lego stores, but to deliver the right brand experience to children at the right locations.

    DKSH’s director of commercial development Arden Feschuk said the company expects the Lego Thailand store will achieve THB100 million (US$3.05 million) in sales in its first year. There is also a plan to expand the number of Lego-certified stores in Thailand later.

    “During the first year of opening, more than 400,000 people are expected to visit the store, with Thais accounting for 60 per cent and foreigners 40 per cent. Due to the company’s one-price strategy, exclusive Lego sets will cost the same here as they do in neighbouring countries.

    “Due to this, Lego fans will no longer have to go overseas to buy Lego products. Also, new collections will be launched at the same time as in the US and Europe”.

    Sixty per cent of Lego’s Thailand sales are currently brought in via distribution in department stores, while more than 15 per cent is derived from specialist toy stores.