Carrefour Stores Change Name To Big C Extra

[laolover]

Big C in Thailand and Big C elsewhere are very different. Big C in Thailand is majority owned by the same thai chinese that owned Central group and Tops Chain. It seems that there is no laws in thailand that the local thai chinese are controlling a monopoly of the retail and supermarket businesses and that other groups are not allowed to fairly participate in the country. At one time many locals were complianing about Tesco (though the CP group that controls 7/11s were the majoroty Thai partners) but now that the thai chinese group Central is controlling a lot of the local retail business, nothing is being done.

On that note, Lets not forget the thai-farang William E. Heinecke FOUNDER CEO of;

Minor Food Group, 100% owned subsidiary of Minor International, is one of the biggest food service operators in Asia with over 1,300 outlets under The Pizza Company, Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Thai Express and The Coffee Club brands. Minor Food Group also owns Minor Dairy Limited (a producer premium ice cream products and ice cream toppings) and Minor Cheese Limited (producer of cheeses). The company owns The Pizza Company. Through its 70% stake in Thai Express, Minor International also owns the Shokudo Concepts, Pinle, Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe, Tang Dian Wang, Double Bay, New York New York and Kiseki Japanese Buffet Restaurant. Minor International also owns 50% of The Coffee Club. Minor Food Group is a franchisee for Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen and Burger King.[16] Minor International also has a stake in S&P Syndicate Public Company Limited, an operator of restaurant, bakery shops, coffee shops and producer of bakery products and frozen food products as well as a provider of catering and home delivery services,,,,,,,, AND a whole lot MORE!

All the chains are different in Thailand of course it is geared to the market it is catering to. It is only worrisome that companies like MFG, CG, and CP are able to to control so much of the market. Doing business here now is very different than when I arrived 24 years ago. The climate here now is very similar to the US with mega corps having the money to survive even if some of the businesses or branches are losing money. Starbucks a classic example. Being originally from seattle, I watched as starbucks began opening 5 or more locations in a single city block....even if they did each individually profit....they sucked just enough business away from independents who did not have billions in reserve. Fortunately in Seattle there is a strong counter starbucks revolution.....many locals prefer to support good independent shops....here in BKK I cannot yet see a concentrated awareness by consumers to support local independent shops. I hope it is there.

As far as Thai chinese they have as much right as anyone in the country to grow businesses in Thailand. More power to them. Most of the ancestors came here century or more ago and worked as the lowest labor as harvesters of cane sugar etc. They for the most part deserve what they are able to do because of strong family ties, and super emphasis on higher education.... CP started as a small shophouse store in the late 40s...central group is not much different. They have my respect for what has been built.....but have my concern as they become to market share controlling....

[Heng]

but now that the thai chinese group Central is controlling a lot of the local retail business, nothing is being done.

The first step is to actually start up a business and keep it in business beyond the first year.

Baby steps.

[laolover]

but now that the thai chinese group Central is controlling a lot of the local retail business, nothing is being done.

The first step is to actually start up a business and keep it in business beyond the first year.

Baby steps.

Absolutely!

[grin]

I used to live in an apartment over a Carrefour in Nice, France and I shopped there almost daily. I was quite happy to see a Carrefour when I moved to Chiang Mai and to be able to buy some Carrefour branded products that I used to buy in Nice. Some of the Carrefour branded products in the Chiang Mai Carrefour are still available but most of the ones I used to buy are no longer on the shelves. So far I haven't seen any Casino branded items to replace them.

[jfchandler]

I've long bought jars of CF brand dijon mustard at my local CF, quite good and better priced than the normal American plain stuff...

Lately, my local CF branch stock was getting fewer and fewer. Now, on my last visit, all gone and nothing to replace it.

I'm hoping that's not indicative of a broader trend under Big C, but I'm afraid it will be.

[max005]

. When I go to Big C the employees look at me like: Why are you here?

i felt exactly the same thing, i was the only farang in the store and every employees looked a me like i was from another planet.