Carrefour, the world's second largest retailer is leaving Thailand

[Oberkommando]

7-11 is a lot like Mcdonalds and the stores are owned by local people

CP own the vast majority of 7/11s, not local Thais.

[Oberkommando]

Tops Market is good but not many of them around.

Tops at Bang Rak and on Charoen Krung are very poor. The one in Bang Rak in particular has mouldy produce on the shelves (on more than one occasion I may add), and takes an age to check-out. The staff are slow and don't seem bothered. Selection is fairly poor and many products out of date.

Best supermarkets in Thailand are Foodland by some margin, far better selection and they are often cheaper than the bigger places; Tesco, Big C and Value Mart (formerly Jusco) included.

[MikeyIdea]

7-11 is a lot like Mcdonalds and the stores are owned by local people

CP own the vast majority of 7/11s, not local Thais.

Not correct Obercommando

CP - February 2010

Total: 5,270 stores of which 2,800 are CP -> 53% CP and 47% franchise. More importantly, CP plans to expand by 450 stores per year and their strategy is that 60% of that should be franchise and 40% CP owned.

CP still owns a small majority (53%) but franchise will overtake next year. And since CP is Thai owned: all 7/11s are local Thai

[Familyonthemove]

I'd heard that Carrefour was selling their operations in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore due to problems in their home market. They need the cash.

They also want to concentrate on China and India - two markets with greater long term potential for growth, but which need huge investment to get scale.

Also - in Malaysia they have troubles with their local partner and Singapore is too small to run on it's own.

But their Thai operation is OK and probably the one of most value to any new owner .... but I guess it's a buy one get two free offer.

[steady]

I don't care if Farangs want to go home.

Why? Is it because you don't care about any advances in Thailand's development that a falang may be responsible for? Mai son jai is a very Thai trait.

[Rucharee]

I don't care if Farangs want to go home.

Why? Is it because you don't care about any advances in Thailand's development that a falang may be responsible for? Mai son jai is a very Thai trait.

I don't care if Farangs want to go home.

Because Farangs go home in the thousands everyday.

Don't believe me, go and have a look in Bangkok airport.

I am not about to stop them. "Son Jai" or "Mai Son Jai"

[craigt3365]

Ummm...would they be visitors returning to their home? I am sure expats living here are not leaving for good by the thousands every day...would only take a few weeks and the country would not have any more!

[Thongkorn]

They are probably sick of the back handers they have to give from the top to the bottom, They have to give tea money from the start from planning permission to the builders to local police .Good for them to make a stand, as for falang going home, its a good job other country's except Thais or a certain person would not have been born or educated in a foreign country {USA}.

Edited July 12, 2010 by Thongkorn

[schmutzie]

I'm hearing Big C are taking over Carrefour operations in Thailand at the end of the month. Seems a bit quick and no confirmation, but that's what I hear staff are being told...

[bkkjames]

I'm hearing Big C are taking over Carrefour operations in Thailand at the end of the month. Seems a bit quick and no confirmation, but that's what I hear staff are being told...

Hmm ok  - pretty ambitious considering that's 2+ weeks away.

[eggomaniac]

well here is some good news, for a change, not for Thailand though>>>

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20100709/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_outrigger_vietnam

HONOLULU – Hawaii-based Outrigger Enterprises Group has announced it will co-design and manage a luxury resort to be built along the central coast of Vietnam.

The five-star Outrigger Vinh Hoi Bay Resort and Spa will be part of the Vinh Hoi Bay Golf Resort being constructed along a secluded beach north of Quy Nhon in Binh Dinh province, the company said in a news release.

The hotel is expected to open in late 2013. It will offer 210 guest rooms and suites, 46 private villas and a two-story grand villa. Six food and beverage outlets are planned, in addition to a cooking school, a wellness center, amusement zone, fitness center, library, adventure center and retail outlets.

http://www.asiancoastdevelopment.com/in-the-news.php

Reuters - April 21, 2010

MGM-branded casino planned for Vietnam Resort Area.

MGM MIRAGE executive hired to lead project

A group backed by hedge fund Harbinger Capital Partners plans to open in early 2013 Vietnam's first Las Vegas-style casino resort in a coastal area to be called the Ho Tram Strip. Asian Coast Development Ltd said on Wednesday that it had named Lloyd Nathan, formerly president of MGM Mirage's global gaming development, as its chief executive officer, a post from which he will oversee the project's financing and construction.

[craigt3365]

Wow...that's a big deal. Great development for Vietnam!

[somchaismith]

Even Tesco Lotus is so successful that small retailers are complaining, he noted.

-- The Nation 2010-07-07

What's that got ot do with price of fish?

[Rucharee]

I'm hearing Big C are taking over Carrefour operations in Thailand at the end of the month. Seems a bit quick and no confirmation, but that's what I hear staff are being told...

Hmm ok - pretty ambitious considering that's 2+ weeks away.

My source say the MAMA owner is buying up the French.

[somtampet]

Good! And I hope a load of other big international buisnesses leave, too. I work for an international comany here, and I've seen first hand how much red tape there is and how utterly arrogant the government is. A lot of international companies know this and move to countries that welcome foreign investment. This is what we call 'developing'.

The mentality of the goverment seems to have trickled down on to a lot of Thai peope. Like the Thai woman who asked me 'How can you work here? You're not Thai' The real paradox is a lot of Thai people wanna work for international companies and not their own, because they pay better and actually encourage and have prospects (Promotion, salary increase etc)

But what do I know? I've only seen for myself Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

Good but for different reasons.

I have seen in the UK how Tesco (the main protagonist) has destroyed the businesses of thousands of small retailers and the same is happening here. Thailand does not need western styled super stores. Kick the lot out. Today there is a report on how some of these companies are contributing to the destruction of rainforests. What I don't like is their apparent fundamental dishonesty. Green projects, organic etc are just a smokescreen to develop their businesses. They retail in every area like some massive hoover, hoovering up anything that stands in their way. Yup. Good riddance to the lot of 'em.

Perfect post,distribute the wealth to thais not french.We should all be able to eat less farang food and more thai food,and stop these crazy prices for imported products

[hansum]

Good! And I hope a load of other big international buisnesses leave, too. I work for an international comany here, and I've seen first hand how much red tape there is and how utterly arrogant the government is. A lot of international companies know this and move to countries that welcome foreign investment. This is what we call 'developing'.

The mentality of the goverment seems to have trickled down on to a lot of Thai peope. Like the Thai woman who asked me 'How can you work here? You're not Thai' The real paradox is a lot of Thai people wanna work for international companies and not their own, because they pay better and actually encourage and have prospects (Promotion, salary increase etc)

But what do I know? I've only seen for myself Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

Good but for different reasons.

I have seen in the UK how Tesco (the main protagonist) has destroyed the businesses of thousands of small retailers and the same is happening here. Thailand does not need western styled super stores. Kick the lot out. Today there is a report on how some of these companies are contributing to the destruction of rainforests. What I don't like is their apparent fundamental dishonesty. Green projects, organic etc are just a smokescreen to develop their businesses. They retail in every area like some massive hoover, hoovering up anything that stands in their way. Yup. Good riddance to the lot of 'em.

Perfect post,distribute the wealth to thais not french.We should all be able to eat less farang food and more thai food,and stop these crazy prices for imported products

Great idea lets stop importing Thai food in the west, and distribute the wealth better back home

[jfchandler]

I'm seeing a lot of votes here for Trader Joe's .... Add one from me...

Unfortunately, that's hardly likely to happen... But one can still dream....

And TJ's does get their shrimp gyoza from Thailand, as I recall....

[hansum]

If Central do buy it thatll be very bad for competition in Thailand as Tops Supermarket whom they own is as overpriced as a store could possibly be, this country needs more competition not less to get them upto an acceptable standard.

I was recently in bahrain and Carefour there was far superior in choice and prices to its same stores in Thailand.

Edited July 17, 2010 by hansum

[dumball]

'Rucharee' date='2010-07-12 12:03' timestamp='1278911004' post='3743683''steady' date='2010-07-12 11:45' timestamp='1278909948' post='374364'Rucharee' date='2010-07-09 12:40' timestamp='1278654008' post='3738377']

I don't care if Farangs want to go home.

Why? Is it because you don't care about any advances in Thailand's development that a falang may be responsible for? Mai son jai is a very Thai trait.

I don't care if Farangs want to go home.

Because Farangs go home in the thousands everyday.

Don't believe me, go and have a look in Bangkok airport.

I am not about to stop them. "Son Jai" or "Mai Son Jai"

I would be carefull of what you do not care about rukaree , there are many thousands of your country people who benifit a great deal more than admitted by tourism , goverment and people such as yourself , litterally $billions are pumped into Thailand by these untouchables , just look at the huge number of current unemployed people are out of work due to loss of tourism dollars . A change of attitude MAY encourage some to revisit and reside in Thailand , many have already moved on to more pleasant places to visit and live , most likely never to return to your shores .

[nikkoid66]

Wallmart suck in the USA only for black or really poor people, if you want to get cancer, buy food at Wallmart, they buy whatever is cheap in China and sell it full of conservative and chemicals... please don't sell to Wallmart!!!

Wallmart is in the wing.

Is this a rumor or based on some facts? I like Walmart as much as I like Big C! NOT!

If they come here, will the Thai people start looking like this?

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

I'm outta here if they do!

[nikkoid66]

I am French and I know very well Carrefour.

It is a very arrogant company. They are doing everything they want in France.

When you go to a Carrefour in France, you have to bring your own bags (they won't give you some unless you pay them) there are only 10 cashier open out of 50 so you always have to wait 15 min to pay, only one person at the cashier so you pack your stuff yourself while the attendant is counting.

They have a monopolistic power in France and they impose their rules on the prices, salaries and are above the laws.

I think they expected to impose their law here too and they are not selling enough. Doing 30% margin is not enough for them, they want to make 2000% margin, buy sh.it vegetable and package them so they look wonderful, the farmers makes nothing, the customer pay hi-price and Carrefour is doing a huge benefit.

This system works in France where people have no choice than buying there and spend big money on everything, but it is not working in Asia.

They probably realized that they are not going to impose their view and their system here and they are focusing on markets where people will buy gazed tomatoes 2 EUR / Kilo when they purchase it 20Cts... not enough profit margin here.

Bye Bye Carrefour, buy food at your local market!

Now they also cut in Europe, in Belgium for example: http://www.itnsource...480310/?v=1&a=0

Edited July 29, 2010 by nikkoid66

[Piengrudee]

I am French and I know very well Carrefour.

A newbie, I think you are not French, but maybe the banned Rucharee.

Edited July 29, 2010 by Piengrudee

[Ned]

I heard that the Thai company, Berli Junker is interested in taking over the Carrefour operations in Thailand.

[elcent]

I'm hearing Big C are taking over Carrefour operations in Thailand at the end of the month. Seems a bit quick and no confirmation, but that's what I hear staff are being told...

Hmm ok - pretty ambitious considering that's 2+ weeks away.

My source say the MAMA owner is buying up the French.

yeah, Bangkok needs more aisles with MAMA in the supermarkets and departmentstores and of course a lot more of plastic fantastic.

[nikkoid66]

I am French and I know very well Carrefour.

A newbie, I think you are not French, but maybe the banned Rucharee.

"Pour qui tu te prends espece d'encule de mes fesse? Va te faire foutre toi, ta gueule pleine de sperme et ton trou de balle qui sent la merde."

Haha now do you think that someone who is not French could write such a sentence hahaha

:lol:

(please moderator, do not translate this, it is humor not insults...)

[MaxRobespierre]

Dogmatic ideological projects - like say Soviet totalitarianism for example - are traditionally poor environments for capitalist investment.

[SamritT]

France is out going. I hope the new owner is someone local.

[metisdead]

I am French and I know very well Carrefour.

A newbie, I think you are not French, but maybe the banned Rucharee.

"Pour qui tu te prends espece d'encule de mes fesse? Va te faire foutre toi, ta gueule pleine de sperme et ton trou de balle qui sent la merde."

Haha now do you think that someone who is not French could write such a sentence hahaha

:lol:

(please moderator, do not translate this, it is humor not insults...)

If is indeed humor, why not share with the rest of us?

[Greenside]

According to the BBC (some weeks ago, way before this news hit the TV ticker tape) CF's reason for withdrawing from this market was that it now has a policy of concentrating its resources on markets where it has a fighting chance of becoming the dominant retailer. It said that Tesco Lotus and Big C have this country sewn up and that being number three didn't fit in with its philosophy. I'll certainly miss it here in Chiang Mai - it has a certain touch of class that the others can't seem to match and if you're careful about what you buy the prices can be very good, especially in the non-food departments.

[roamer]

An interesting one to watch will be the new IKEA store in Bangna in 2011. Even though its franchised IKEA have been very hesitant about it and its a company that runs a very tight ship. A very rigid business ethics core and there are many who doubt it can operate comfortably in LOS.