Central Plans To Triple The Number Of Tops Minimarts In Thailand

[webfact]

CENTRAL

Central plans to triple the number of Tops minimarts

By Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation

Central Food Retail plans to triple its Tops Daily mini-markets to 150-160 stores this year and add 200 more stores next year.

"We have used Tops Daily as our flagship format in expanding actively, especially in the areas facing opening limitations due to city zoning," Phattaraporn Phenpraphat, vice president for marketing and public relations, said yesterday.

Besides Tops Daily, which offers 100-200 square metres of retail space, the company operates supermarkets in three larger formats - Tops Supermarket, Tops Market and Central Food Hall.

"We expect to increase our supermarkets in all formats from 203 currently to about 250 stores by the end of this year," she said.

Tops Supermarkets are undergoing a major facelift with a more modern look and a wider range of products, particularly fresh food, to appeal to younger shoppers such as first-jobbers and housewives.

Work on the first three Tops Supermarkets started in March and is expected to cover all the remaining 50 stores within two years.

About Bt1 billion has been budgeted for all renovation work as well as supermarket openings this year.

Central Food Retail yesterday formally unveiled its restyled Central Food Hall at Central Chidlom.

"Our shoppers will see our Central Food Hall beyond its new look, but also as a totally new shopping experience," |she said.

The Chidlom branch features a cheese zone with more than 400 imported cheeses, as well as more than 3,000 products in the organic zone, crescendo zone and Little Tokyo and Oriental dining zone.

"We want to raise our supermarket standard to be at par with international ones, featuring more than 80,000 imported products," she said.

Central Food Retail posted a sales increase of 6-7 per cent in the first six months of this year, which is in line with hypermarket and supermarket growth.

Overall retail sales, excluding fresh food, are expected to reach Bt680 billion this year.

The company's sales in all supermarket formats are expected to rise 10 per cent this year, faster than the industry, Phattaraporn said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-21

[buddy]

I was in Central Food Hall Chidlom yesterday,

All I can say is WOW!

This store sets the standard, the competition will have its spy,s out copying.

[bkkjames]

While I like a little competition to cp, I wonder if there will be big protests because of the lost income for mom and pop shops? (Silly question I know).

On the brightside, we are quickly become the Hub of Convenience Stores.

[pepi2005]

Tops is one of the most expensive minimarts, thank you very much.

[writeshack]

Tops is not just the most expensive minimart, it's the most expensive store, period - in whatever form. I bought strawberries a short time ago in Makro for 129 baht. The same brand, same strawberries, same label, same container, same source were 179 baht in Tops.

that sell

Tops is one of the most expensive minimarts, thank you very much.

[rezbin]

I've found Tops (here, in Pattaya) to be quite reasonable in price, comparable to the larger supermarkets, and cheaper than Central Food Hall. It's fresh produce is a little higher priced in some areas, but my wife typically gets this from the outdoor markets anyhow. Processed foods, and baby supplies are all 'on par' price wise.

Edited July 21, 2011 by rezbin

[djlest]

Tops has better quality and imported brand names - which yes are more expensive, but you get better quality so its relative..

If you have a TOPS Member card which most savvy Thais have, there are some fantastic discounts and 2 for one promotions which make things even cheaper than Tescos.. but you need the card to get them...

Whilst i used to believe the same TOPS is expensive blurb...

Its actually relative and in some cases, a better place to shop, as long as you don't insist on imported strawberries, there are reasonable prices for everything in there.

We always drop by TOPS once every week or two, fantastic home baked cookies and 2 for one deals on pringles and ham etc...

And Tesco is ok for the rest of the crapola...

As for BIG C - well last week i bought a mountain bike from BIG C - What a mistake that was...

After one short 10 minutes ride the inner tube exploded, tearing a hole in the actual tire.

After further inspecion the bike is missing parts and is an absolute abortion...

You do get what you pay for here...

And then you pay for it afterwards again...

[meatboy]

Tops is not just the most expensive minimart, it's the most expensive store, period - in whatever form. I bought strawberries a short time ago in Makro for 129 baht. The same brand, same strawberries, same label, same container, same source were 179 baht in Tops.

that sell

Tops is one of the most expensive minimarts, thank you very much.

if you think they are exspensive try home fresh.come on lets have one in nakhon ratchasima they are tops.

[rezbin]

The TOPS member card does have it's benefits, and is easy (and free) to get. The baked goods are quite good, as is the meat selection and pricing. Really, we have rarely had anything to complain about going there, and have always considered it the 'cheaper' alternative to Central, and far more convenient then going to the larger supermarkets.

Tops and Friendship (both near our condo) are quite good, and comparable in price, though Tops is more 'Family' friendly as far as products go.

[jfchandler]

It all depends on what things you're buying, and when, as to the pricing at Tops...

First, let me third or fourth the comment above about the absolute need to get, just by asking and filling out a simple form, the SPOT member card, which is good at both Tops and Central Food Hall. Without it, you won't get the sale pricing they regularly have on items throughout the store...and the discounts are often substantial.

But more broadly, I do the shopping for my family, and I get different things at all the major supermarkets based on pricing and availability -- Central Food Hall, Tops, Gourmet Market at Paragon, Big C, Tesco, Villa, Foodland. So I think I have a pretty good idea of how things are priced and who has what among our general shopping needs... And let me say, it's the most screwball place you can imagine in terms of pricing.

You'd think Gourmet Market and Central Food Hall would be more expensive in general, and Tesco and Foodland would be less expensive. And while that might be true in the broad sense, when it gets down to actual shopping, it doesn't break down that way... and don't ask me why...

For example, Tops and Central Food Hall regularly have the best price on Danitas plain tortilla chips, about 55 baht per large bag, whereas places like Villa and Foodland sell exactly the same item for 60-plus baht, and those are regular everyday prices, not sale prices... This past week, another example, Tops was having a sale on Malee fruit juices with member card of 50 or so baht per litre bottle, whereas the regular price in other stores is 65 to 70 baht per bottle.

Tops and Central Food Hall, at least in Central BKK, also have some very good fresh bakeries, and some varieties of the best freshly baked bread I've found in Bangkok...

The Central Food Hall at Central World and the market at Central Chidlom also have a pretty broad selection of a lot of imported things you might not find at other of the supermarkets.

[swerver]

Tops has better quality and imported brand names - which yes are more expensive, but you get better quality so its relative..

If you have a TOPS Member card which most savvy Thais have, there are some fantastic discounts and 2 for one promotions which make things even cheaper than Tescos.. but you need the card to get them...

Whilst i used to believe the same TOPS is expensive blurb...

Its actually relative and in some cases, a better place to shop, as long as you don't insist on imported strawberries, there are reasonable prices for everything in there.

We always drop by TOPS once every week or two, fantastic home baked cookies and 2 for one deals on pringles and ham etc...

And Tesco is ok for the rest of the crapola...

As for BIG C - well last week i bought a mountain bike from BIG C - What a mistake that was...

After one short 10 minutes ride the inner tube exploded, tearing a hole in the actual tire.

After further inspecion the bike is missing parts and is an absolute abortion...

You do get what you pay for here...

And then you pay for it afterwards again...

Okay djiest,

I go along with your spiel about Tops.

Being from Holland Tops in Thailand was started by Koningklyke Albert Heyn (Royal Ahold), HQ Zaandam, Holland, together with - at that time close to bankrupt - Central. Royal Ahold a few years back pulled out sold their shares to Central Group. Central Group then did bring in new management from Australia seemingly to have no qualms with a little corruption here and there. Remember Royal Ahold operates under Dutch Laws regardless were the store(s) are located. Should I tell you about corruption in Thailand? That really would be a waste of time, because you know already even if you are blind.

So now, please tell me who all these Tops stores/markets being erected are going to sell to? Carrefour pulled out, one more with the main reason(s) future growth prospect in Thailand.

When walking around in Tops markets it is obvious that a great percentage of the shoppers are farang or their demimondaines and the Khuns from Asia (Khun Nippon, Khun Chin, etc.) Many of these farangs are living in retirement in Thailand, so they have to put 800,000 Baht in the Bank when applying for the retirement Visa. All this moves along just fine until Obama threw a monkey wrench in the gears, a monkey wrench practically not a one of the farangs I asked knew anything about it. All their concern: booze and sex, what goes on in the world is a total other subject, for the rest the demimondaine handles, or so he thinks.

Well here is the monkey wrench I received in my email about a week ago:

National Seniors Organization Urges Debt Ceiling Negotiators to Reach Resolution so Seniors Can Count on Receiving Social Security Checks

Washington Cannot Break Its Promise to our Nation's Seniors

President Obama announced today that he cannot guarantee Social Security payments will go out on August 3.

Then there is the Thai monkey wrench or better wrenches because there is more than one. Top of the rescinded the 300 Baht minimum wage. Then the Farmers Credit cards, next the Taxi Drivers Credit card, why list more this is already to reduce the shoppers for Tops Markets by a sizable number.

Edited July 21, 2011 by swerver

[jfchandler]

Quite creative... managing to get both President Obama and the debt ceiling debate into a post in a thread supposedly about Tops planning to expand their grocery store presence in Thailand...

[moe666]

Tops has better quality and imported brand names - which yes are more expensive, but you get better quality so its relative..

If you have a TOPS Member card which most savvy Thais have, there are some fantastic discounts and 2 for one promotions which make things even cheaper than Tescos.. but you need the card to get them...

Whilst i used to believe the same TOPS is expensive blurb...

Its actually relative and in some cases, a better place to shop, as long as you don't insist on imported strawberries, there are reasonable prices for everything in there.

We always drop by TOPS once every week or two, fantastic home baked cookies and 2 for one deals on pringles and ham etc...

And Tesco is ok for the rest of the crapola...

As for BIG C - well last week i bought a mountain bike from BIG C - What a mistake that was...

After one short 10 minutes ride the inner tube exploded, tearing a hole in the actual tire.

After further inspecion the bike is missing parts and is an absolute abortion...

You do get what you pay for here...

And then you pay for it afterwards again...

Okay djiest,

I go along with your spiel about Tops.

Being from Holland Tops in Thailand was started by Koningklyke Albert Heyn (Royal Ahold), HQ Zaandam, Holland, together with - at that time close to bankrupt - Central. Royal Ahold a few years back pulled out – sold their shares to Central Group. Central Group then did bring in new management from Australia seemingly to have no qualms with a little corruption here and there. Remember Royal Ahold operates under Dutch Laws regardless were the store(s) are located. Should I tell you about corruption in Thailand? That really would be a waste of time, because you know already even if you are blind.

So now, please tell me who all these Tops stores/markets being erected are going to sell to? Carrefour pulled out, one more with the main reason(s) future growth prospect in Thailand.

When walking around in Tops markets it is obvious that a great percentage of the shoppers are farang or their demimondaines and the Khuns from Asia (Khun Nippon, Khun Chin, etc.) Many of these farangs are living in retirement in Thailand, so they have to put 800,000 Baht in the Bank when applying for the retirement Visa. All this moves along just fine until Obama threw a monkey wrench in the gears, a monkey wrench practically not a one of the farangs I asked knew anything about it. All their concern: booze and sex, what goes on in the world is a total other subject, for the rest the demimondaine handles, or so he thinks.

Well here is the monkey wrench I received in my email about a week ago:

National Seniors Organization Urges Debt Ceiling Negotiators to Reach Resolution so Seniors Can Count on Receiving Social Security Checks

Washington Cannot Break Its Promise to our Nation's Seniors

President Obama announced today that he cannot guarantee Social Security payments will go out on August 3.

Then there is the Thai monkey wrench or better wrenches because there is more than one. Top of the rescinded the 300 Baht minimum wage. Then the Farmers Credit cards, next the Taxi Drivers Credit card, why list more this is already to reduce the shoppers for Tops Markets by a sizable number.

Leave the tea bag drivel at the airport when you fly out. This is a Thai forum