Questions I Have Always Had: Why So Many 7-11's In Bkk (or In Thailand)

[submaniac]

I always wondered about why there is such an abundance of 7-11's. Yes, I know 7-11 is convenient, and popular. But what I don't get is that they build them so close to each other. In my soi there is a 7-11 on one end of the soi, and another one on the other end (and that one has a another counterpart on the other side of the street.) I can remember several occassions where I owuld just walk down BKK and there would be a 7-11. Another two blocks, a 7-11 (or accross the street). Why do they need to build so many 7=11's near each other? Can anyone tell me. I have been curious about this for a while.

[sibeymai]

Ever seen a Thai walk more than 50 metres ?

[lazeeboy]

7/11 are francised ,if you have the land and monry you too could have one,thais see people doing well and copy .

[greenmember]

7/11 are francised ,if you have the land and monry you too could have one,thais see people doing well and copy .

Every 7-Eleven is busy so as long as they still can sell, they will open more. Good for us as we can buy anywhere nearest.

[RueFang]

Ever seen a Thai walk more than 50 metres ?

My 'neighbour' 3 doors down rides his motorbike to our house...seriously, it's about 20 metres! And as lazzeeboy says Thais (and everyone else) see a good idea and copy...like those streets that have 10 photocopy shops all next to each other or across the street where 8 hardware stores are all in a line. It always amazes me how competition works here because if one shop doesn't discount all you have to do is walk next door, whereas if they were spaced out they wouldn't have to drop the prices so much. Good for the customer anyway.

[Jockstar]

Ever seen a Thai walk more than 50 metres ?

Have to agree with that.

[think_too_mut]

I always wondered about why there is such an abundance of 7-11's. Yes, I know 7-11 is convenient, and popular. But what I don't get is that they build them so close to each other. In my soi there is a 7-11 on one end of the soi, and another one on the other end (and that one has a another counterpart on the other side of the street.) I can remember several occassions where I owuld just walk down BKK and there would be a 7-11. Another two blocks, a 7-11 (or accross the street). Why do they need to build so many 7=11's near each other? Can anyone tell me. I have been curious about this for a while.

They build them at all 4 corners of a busy intersection.

If they are not "convenient" when you need them, lost business. Would you cross Sukhumvit for 7-11 if there is Family Mart or something where you are standing?

7-11 decides if a shop has any future, when they approve it, the shop does just fine.

[chownah]

Lots of 7-11's.....I think its great.....on those really hot days you can travel long distances without overheating by stopping and cooling off at each of them...browse a few minutes and then continue on....

Chownah

[Heng]

Easy, the market supports it. When it doesn't, CP or the franchisee closes it down (have seen this happen, but it's pretty rare). You're much more likely to see failures in 'clusters' of restaurants, clubs, and bars.

[greenmember]

Ever seen a Thai walk more than 50 metres ?

My 'neighbour' 3 doors down rides his motorbike to our house...seriously, it's about 20 metres! And as lazzeeboy says Thais (and everyone else) see a good idea and copy...like those streets that have 10 photocopy shops all next to each other or across the street where 8 hardware stores are all in a line. It always amazes me how competition works here because if one shop doesn't discount all you have to do is walk next door, whereas if they were spaced out they wouldn't have to drop the prices so much. Good for the customer anyway.

So true! My husband rides the motorbike from back house to front house. I ask why he doesn't want a little work out. He said he has enough at job site.

In a school we came to visit, the Headmaster has his driver pick him up and send him off everyday even though he stays inside the school area. Maybe he wants to show that he's on another level.

[jfchandler]

Actually, the question posed points to one of the things I LOVE about Thailand, and BKK, in particular.

At my past home in America (Los Angeles), the only thing around my home was other homes, as was typical. So, to go anywhere to get anything from any store, everybody did and does have to drive their cars to do anything.

Here, almost any place in Bangkok, wherever you live, you can find food, drink, 7-11s, etc etc. (all the basic needs of life) pretty much within easy walking distance of your home. Here, I know many people on my soi because I'm always walking to and fro, and stopping to chat or say hello. Back home, it was drive into garage and drive out of garage every day. Lived there for years and barely knew the neighbors.

It's a totally different culture because of that, and frankly, I prefer the style here... Not to mention, NEVER needing to have a car in BKK. So, having 7-11s ever-present is just one nice convenience of life here. I always say, take convenience wherever you can find it.

Plus, I worked my way through college working the graveyard shift at 7-11. So, I've got a soft spot in my heart for the place! Hehehehehehe....

[tattoodrob]

i would look at it like this....................if you only have the money to open a small business ie shop.........what sort of shop is viable,clothes shop...aircon shop.....etc etc.you could sit there all day and not get a single sale....or open a 24 hr place that will at least have customers everyday even if it is only a small mark up plus theres only a few things that are necessities in everyday life and one of them is eating(ok you could go days without eating but you wouldnt wanna would ya?),some of the other necessities involve a toilet which is minimal cost if you get caught short ......and air is free so what other business you open is gonna need very very regular visits.big supermarkets are cheaper but you seen the roads around here...chock a block mostly so who can be bothered with the hassle when your local 7-11 carries enough to get on day by day.if i could afford it i would open one here too(pattaya),better than a bar which we have every 10m haha.