Big C shopping centers

[DUNROAMIN]

Hi to all, just curious as to how your local Big C shopping center is fairing at the moment. Is Big C in financial trouble across Thailand? When I first moved here in 2016 my local B C shopping Mall was packed with specialty shops and food outlets upstairs and downstairs and the supermarket was always busy. I am keeping in mind that covid took its toll on all retaill outlets for the first 2 years and its a slow road back, however, in the last 12 months Big C  has gone down hill in major way. 70% of its specialty shops have gone, plus sweensens icecream, chester chicken and recently MK dine in has gone. The only food outlet left now is Kentucky Fried Chicken and a few food stalls upstairs in the food court. In the Big C supermarket their stock has deminished significantly, with clearance shelves and tables now dotted around the store.  Currently the bottom floor is like a ghost mall.  

I also have noticed 3 of Robinsons restaurants have closed as well, plus a couple of food court outlets have gone.

Anybody noticing changes in their area.

[MJCM]

IMHO this has nothing to do with problems that BIG C or Robinsons are having but more of the troubles of the individual shop owners.

 

As you maybe know they (Big C / Robinsons etc etc) rent out the spaces which is not their main retail space and prices are AFAIK not cheap.

 

Also online sales are hurting those business.

[The Fugitive]

Since I moved here in 2017 my Big C has never, ever been busy. Some shops have closed and others opened. MK remains as does KFC. The mobile phone shops look desolate and pounce on you if you go near. The independent phone stalls try their best too! The electrical/electronic portion seem to have 10 staff to every customer. Always able to wrangle discounts there! I'm truly amazed (but happy) it keeps going.

[CharlieH]

Similar in that perimeter small stores have gone.As said its not Big C that has the issue as such but the small traders moving online where there is NO RENT less overhead.

[scubascuba3]

Big C Extra Pattaya seems same busy for years

[KhunBENQ]

BigC in Khon Kaen has gone down steeply (for me).

Was there on Thursday and it was kind of frustrating.

Empty shelves, very few Casino stuff at ridicolous prices.

Some cheese and cold cut stuff gone up to 100%.

30% is a mild increase.

Udon Thani was better but I fear the longer drive and experience similar.

 

BigC Extra in Pattaya is still a league of it's own compared.

Edited April 30, 2023 by KhunBENQ

[it is what it is]

 

world economy issues, retail has been/is suffering in many/most countries, not a 'big c' problem, they are part of a massive corporation (with connections), they'll be fine

[connda]

42 minutes ago, DUNROAMIN said:

however, in the last 12 months Big C  has gone down hill in major way. 70% of its specialty shops have gone, plus sweensens icecream, chester chicken and recently MK dine in has gone. The only food outlet left now is Kentucky Fried Chicken and a few food stalls upstairs in the food court. In the Big C supermarket their stock has deminished significantly, with clearance shelves and tables now dotted around the store.  Currently the bottom floor is like a ghost mall.  

Just yours.  Big C is hopping in Lamphun.

[MrJ2U]

9 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Big C Extra Pattaya seems same busy for years

Pattaya is another animal. 

[hotchilli]

Big C near my location is bustling, the supermarket is as busy and fully stocked as it always has been.

All the large retail outlets are fully subscribed and the array of small vendors are packed in.

 

 

[sammieuk1]

The only thing different about Big C is the smell the one in HH always seems to be hiding a corpse somewhere on the premises and your task is to use your nose to find it ????  

[Tropposurfer]

I have no firsthand corporate knowledge of Big C's status financially but I'd hazard a guess it is still the aftermath of Covid 19. Which has and will continue to show its devastating impact on Thai and world financials for some time to come.

[brianthainess]

I went into my local Big C on the hottest day of this year, and they had no aircon switched on, fans or otherwise, it was stifling. when i made a comment, to the staff, i was told electric is expensive...

I have sent an email to head office telling them that the open chillers were not very cold..........one week ago.. not even the courtesy to reply....bye bye Big C. 

[newnative]

They all seem to be doing fine in Pattaya.

[alien365]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Big C near my location is bustling, the supermarket is as busy and fully stocked as it always has been.

All the large retail outlets are fully subscribed and the array of small vendors are packed in.

 

 

It's definitely a better place since the renovations a couple of years ago. The overcrowding downstairs and in the carpark was ridiculous before. Now it's just the carpark that's bad. 

[herfiehandbag]

Is there another Big C relatively nearby?

 

Here (Chiang Rai) they recently opened another brand new Big C near the airport. Whilst the old Big C remains, it is across the he road from the relatively new Central Plaza. Many of the downstairs shop units have gone - either to the new Big C or across the road. The rather tatty food concessions are a ghost town (again many traders have moved) and the multiplex cinema has closed.

 

The glory days of the "old Big C" were ten years ago, when it was the only place in town. Now it faces competition from newer stores, plus of course several Mini Big C and Lotus.

Edited May 1, 2023 by herfiehandbag

[bignbad]

In Phetchabun the Big C is very quiet, (Lotus's with cinema next door) but was never too busy before Covid, only one food outlet in the food court open, they have even stopped the ticket system, the kiddies 'annoyingly loud' play area has been replaced by a bedding department. Lots of car parking though!

[recom273]

Yes, there’s seem to be a quite a few less clothing stalls in our local in one area - we never shopped there, so makes no difference but you can see the vacant lots, the power points in the floor, grime and broken tiles - it gives the appearance of going downhill, which it may well be. 
 

[The Fugitive]

13 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

and the multiplex cinema has closed.

That is a truly shocking waste. How can they sub-let or repurpose a multiplex cinema?

[dingdongrb]

Perhaps due to online shopping with next day delivery, numerous small Lotus, Big C, and mini-mart stores opening everywhere......and yes, food delivery such as Panda and Grab.

 

Don't forget two 7-11s on nearly every block throughout Thailand.

 

Big C where I am at doesn't appear to have lost any customers but the small shops always 'come & go'.

 

NOTE: If you go early (9-11am) there usually isn't too many folks shopping but after noon it can become a 'nut house' especially on the weekend.

 

QUESTION: Why do Thais call a weekend a 'holiday'? I never really understood that.

 

[Bangkok Barry]

Bearing in mind that BigC and Lotus's have the same owner and something like 84% of the market (which the monopolies office decided was not a monopoly, no doubt after incentives were handed out), I would doubt very much that the company is struggling. They can charge customers whatever they like as there are few other places they can shop. They might be running down certain BigC branches if there is a Lotus's nearby, as happened in my area.

[KannikaP]

24 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Bearing in mind that BigC and Lotus's have the same owner

Is Big C not owned by Central, and Lotus's & Makro & 7-11 by CP?

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

They can charge customers whatever they like as there are few other places they can shop.

Very true and our local Lotus is even worse. They threw out about everything that I bought in the past.

For weeks they had a few of the last type of Ritter chocolate at full price on the shelf. White chocolate that no one buys.

Haven't visited the shop in weeks.

[Liverpool Lou]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

I have sent an email to head office telling them that the open chillers were not very cold..........one week ago.. not even the courtesy to reply....bye bye Big C. 

"...the open chillers were not very cold..."

Not exactly worthy of a reply.  What temperature were they and what temp did you want them to be? 

Did you write the email in Thai?

Edited May 1, 2023 by Liverpool Lou

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Bearing in mind that BigC and Lotus's have the same owner and something like 84% of the market

Bear in mind, more importantly, that is incorrect, BIG C is owned by TCC Holding and Lotus's is owned by the CP Group.

[Liverpool Lou]

6 hours ago, Tropposurfer said:

I have no firsthand corporate knowledge of Big C's status financially

And it would have to be firsthand knowledge to know the financial situation of a private company!   Wait a bit, though, the owners are contemplating re-listing through an IPO.

[Bangkok Barry]

29 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Very true and our local Lotus is even worse. They threw out about everything that I bought in the past.

For weeks they had a few of the last type of Ritter chocolate at full price on the shelf. White chocolate that no one buys.

Haven't visited the shop in weeks.

Check on-line for Ritter chocolate. Lazada, perhaps. Some sell it at a reasonable price. Great stuff.

[KhunBENQ]

1 minute ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Check on-line for Ritter chocolate. Lazada, perhaps. Some sell it at a reasonable price. Great stuff.

Thanks but I have given in to regular (more frequent) trips to Khon Kaen or Udon Thani to visit TOPS or Villa. Back to the 90s.

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by KhunBENQ

[AgMech Cowboy]

No, I don't see a problem at Big C the retail and grocery store. They rearranged the whole store at the Super Center down the road from me, which I hate, and they're doing a bunch of remodeling externally and internally.  I think they reduced their stock of dry goods, it appears, and have reduced the 'inventory' placed on the shelves (so they're having to restock the shelves more often).  I've actually noticed an increase in the types and brands of meat and cheeses offered.

 

You've plenty of answers already regarding the sublet retailers, telephone kiosks and restaurants.

[ignis]

Big C 5km from my house + Lotus's 6 km in the other direction now both say. NO delivery in your area  ??  both used to deliver so no idea why ?

 

Tops 16 km away still no problem. so buy from them