Robinson Department Store Plans 10 New Stores In 2013-14: Thailand

[webfact]

Robinson plans 10 new stores in 2013-14

WARIN TRINO

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Robinson Department Store plans to open five stores in both 2013 and 2014 after its sales this year were forecast to surge by 20 per cent to Bt20 billion.

Nujjaree Sunthadvanich, financial controller, said yesterday that Bt15.2 billion in sales had already been achieved in the first three quarters and the current fourth quarter was expected to do even better.

"We expect our gross profit to reach 24.4-per-cent growth this year despite the slight decline in the third quarter, as consumers had less confidence in the economy and flooding was a possibility, which resulted in some reduction in their expenditures.

"However, we believe that spending will be back again in the fourth quarter, which is the high season," she said.

"We also expect to maintain our growth at 20 per cent next year. We plan to open five stores next year, consisting of three department stores in Kanchanaburi, Ubon Ratchathani and Sakhon Nakhon and two lifestyle centres. Five more stores are planned for 2014. The investment will be Bt800 million to Bt1 billion per branch.

"We will focus on expanding in the provinces to serve the country's economic growth. We are still considering our overseas expansion, which is under a feasibility study, as we expect saturation of the retail market in Thailand to be achieved in the near future," Nujjaree said.

President Preecha Ekkunagul said he was quite confident in the growth prospects of the local retail industry next year. Two new stores were opened this year, which are Robinson Surat Thani and Robinson Bang Khae, while Robinson Lampang will follow next month.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 29

[asiawatcher]

Excellent news for jobs. Robinson's have filled a niche between hi-so specialist (overpriced) outlets in Gaysorn, Emporium and Siam Paragon and a step above the Target and K-Mart/WalMart or even Tesco Lotus'. I think there are only Central Group as competitors but they seem more interested in real estate than just retail. A positive step in retailing.

[Thai at Heart]

Excellent news for jobs. Robinson's have filled a niche between hi-so specialist (overpriced) outlets in Gaysorn, Emporium and Siam Paragon and a step above the Target and K-Mart/WalMart or even Tesco Lotus'. I think there are only Central Group as competitors but they seem more interested in real estate than just retail. A positive step in retailing.

I think they were in this business long before the other players you mention. They are the mid high end shopping centre. House of Fraser from the UK, comes to mind.

[jcw]

More aircon escapes form the heat

This also means more Tops Supermarkets which beats the hell out of Tesco and the BigC's for dairy and many farlang foods for those not near a Villa or a Rimping supermarket.

Edited November 29, 2012 by jcw

[meatboy]

what no plans for nakon ratchasima?

[keemapoot]

what no plans for nakon ratchasima?

Yes, I think that is planned in 2014 to be located on the Bypass near to Homepro at the new Central Mall.

[lopburi3]

Robinson and Central are one and the same - they do not really compete - Central Group bought them out years ago.

http://en.wikipedia....i/Central_Group

Central Retail Corporation is the largest retailer in Thailand, it operates 3 department store chains (Central Department Store, ZEN and Robinson) in Thailand and it recently bought La Rinascente a department store in Italy. It also operates 2 Supermarkets (Tops and Central Food Hall) and 5 Specialty Retail Stores (Power Buy - Electronics Store, Super Sport - Sports Store, B2S - Books Entertainment and Stationary, homeWorks - Home Improvement Center and Office Depot - Office Product Stores)

[MilesCh]

The Airport Central Chiang Mai store has become a disaster. In the past I didn't enjoy going there as usually had to park a long distance away. Now there's virtually no parking. And a few weeks ago they took a good portion of that remaining space with playland-like rides causing traffic to back up for a kilometer on city streets and highways. I have quit going there and use Kad Suan Kaeu or other stores. Wonder if other retailers at Airport yet realize how much business they have lost?

[MaxLee]

Another way to increase consumerism and chop wooden tree land areas, I suppose,....

[trainman34014]

The Airport Central Chiang Mai store has become a disaster. In the past I didn't enjoy going there as usually had to park a long distance away. Now there's virtually no parking. And a few weeks ago they took a good portion of that remaining space with playland-like rides causing traffic to back up for a kilometer on city streets and highways. I have quit going there and use Kad Suan Kaeu or other stores. Wonder if other retailers at Airport yet realize how much business they have lost?

Er....Tried parking inside at the Robinsons end of the Mall? I was there yesterday and it took me less than two minutes to walk inside the store on the second floor. That was at 2.30pm and there were loads of empty parking spots. From the inside parking it never takes more than a few minutes to reach Robinsons or Tops.

[wpcoe]

It would be nice to see either Robinsons or Central in Hua Hin. It seems there is no place to even buy (genuine, brand name) cologne in this entire province, for example.

[Rabbi]

As already mentioned Central group owns Robinsons though maybe seperate management

"....Robinson Department Store (Thai: ห้างสรรพสินค้าโรบินสัน) is a Thai department store chain. It was established in 1979 and was merged with Central Group in 1995. It is positioned as a mid-market retailer..."

[EarthAlien]

The Airport Central Chiang Mai store has become a disaster. In the past I didn't enjoy going there as usually had to park a long distance away. Now there's virtually no parking. And a few weeks ago they took a good portion of that remaining space with playland-like rides causing traffic to back up for a kilometer on city streets and highways. I have quit going there and use Kad Suan Kaeu or other stores. Wonder if other retailers at Airport yet realize how much business they have lost?

Er....Tried parking inside at the Robinsons end of the Mall? I was there yesterday and it took me less than two minutes to walk inside the store on the second floor. That was at 2.30pm and there were loads of empty parking spots. From the inside parking it never takes more than a few minutes to reach Robinsons or Tops.

It depends what time of day you go there. In my experience it fills up weekdays in side within a couple of hours (1pm) then from say 3pm to 4pm starts to empty as many shoppers go to pick up kids from school and then starts to fill again a couple of hours later. Saturdays are nuts and just stay away of possible on Sundays or any special holidays.

8 to 10 years ago you could always get a park inside and the outside area was virtually a vacant lot but that has changed completely now. Often on busy weekends there are cars parked in front of others outside. I got parked in by one on a very hot day where the driver had left the car in gear and couldn't push it aside. Ground staff virtually non existent and quite useless. I was fortunate to meet a very nice Thai guy that helped me get the car out.

Central should have seen this coming long ago in C'mai with all the thousands of new dwellings going up. I think they left it a bit late. It will be good to see the new Promenada going up ready in 2013 as that should take the pressure off Central.

[akampa]

The Airport Central Chiang Mai store has become a disaster. In the past I didn't enjoy going there as usually had to park a long distance away. Now there's virtually no parking. And a few weeks ago they took a good portion of that remaining space with playland-like rides causing traffic to back up for a kilometer on city streets and highways. I have quit going there and use Kad Suan Kaeu or other stores. Wonder if other retailers at Airport yet realize how much business they have lost?

Er....Tried parking inside at the Robinsons end of the Mall? I was there yesterday and it took me less than two minutes to walk inside the store on the second floor. That was at 2.30pm and there were loads of empty parking spots. From the inside parking it never takes more than a few minutes to reach Robinsons or Tops.

It depends what time of day you go there. In my experience it fills up weekdays in side within a couple of hours (1pm) then from say 3pm to 4pm starts to empty as many shoppers go to pick up kids from school and then starts to fill again a couple of hours later. Saturdays are nuts and just stay away of possible on Sundays or any special holidays.

8 to 10 years ago you could always get a park inside and the outside area was virtually a vacant lot but that has changed completely now. Often on busy weekends there are cars parked in front of others outside. I got parked in by one on a very hot day where the driver had left the car in gear and couldn't push it aside. Ground staff virtually non existent and quite useless. I was fortunate to meet a very nice Thai guy that helped me get the car out.

Central should have seen this coming long ago in C'mai with all the thousands of new dwellings going up. I think they left it a bit late. It will be good to see the new Promenada going up ready in 2013 as that should take the pressure off Central.

if i have to go to robinson i go at around 11:00 am no problem with the indoor parking but would be interested to know where this shopping mall promenada is going to be built.

[chooka]

The Airport Central Chiang Mai store has become a disaster. In the past I didn't enjoy going there as usually had to park a long distance away. Now there's virtually no parking. And a few weeks ago they took a good portion of that remaining space with playland-like rides causing traffic to back up for a kilometer on city streets and highways. I have quit going there and use Kad Suan Kaeu or other stores. Wonder if other retailers at Airport yet realize how much business they have lost?

Er....Tried parking inside at the Robinsons end of the Mall? I was there yesterday and it took me less than two minutes to walk inside the store on the second floor. That was at 2.30pm and there were loads of empty parking spots. From the inside parking it never takes more than a few minutes to reach Robinsons or Tops.

It depends what time of day you go there. In my experience it fills up weekdays in side within a couple of hours (1pm) then from say 3pm to 4pm starts to empty as many shoppers go to pick up kids from school and then starts to fill again a couple of hours later. Saturdays are nuts and just stay away of possible on Sundays or any special holidays.

8 to 10 years ago you could always get a park inside and the outside area was virtually a vacant lot but that has changed completely now. Often on busy weekends there are cars parked in front of others outside. I got parked in by one on a very hot day where the driver had left the car in gear and couldn't push it aside. Ground staff virtually non existent and quite useless. I was fortunate to meet a very nice Thai guy that helped me get the car out.

Central should have seen this coming long ago in C'mai with all the thousands of new dwellings going up. I think they left it a bit late. It will be good to see the new Promenada going up ready in 2013 as that should take the pressure off Central.

if i have to go to robinson i go at around 11:00 am no problem with the indoor parking but would be interested to know where this shopping mall promenada is going to be built.

The promenada in Chiangmai, if that is the one you are talking about is almost finished. Opens in March. Google it and you will see exactly where it is. Cehtral is underway and so is the Mega Tesco.

Edited November 29, 2012 by chooka

[hhfarang]

As already mentioned Central group owns Robinsons though maybe seperate management

"....Robinson Department Store (Thai: ห้างสรรพสินค้าโรบินสัน) is a Thai department store chain. It was established in 1979 and was merged with Central Group in 1995. It is positioned as a mid-market retailer..."

The Central Retail Group is huge. It consists of Central department stores plus Robinson department stores, Zen department stores, Powerbuy electronics stores, Supersports sporting goods outlets, Homeworks home supply stores, Office Depot office supply stores, Tops Super Markets, B2S book stores, and the Thaiwatsadu hardware chain.

[meatboy]

what no plans for nakon ratchasima?

Yes, I think that is planned in 2014 to be located on the Bypass near to Homepro at the new Central Mall.

yes i did hear quite a while back but nothing since,its tops for me and also if mrs balbir wants to open in the food hall she will get a good welcome i am sure.

[keemapoot]

what no plans for nakon ratchasima?

Yes, I think that is planned in 2014 to be located on the Bypass near to Homepro at the new Central Mall.

yes i did hear quite a while back but nothing since,its tops for me and also if mrs balbir wants to open in the food hall she will get a good welcome i am sure.

That would be fantastic. Have you heard something about that? Korat is sorely lacking an Indian place. We have to order from Koratchef to get curries, which are very good BTW.

Regarding Korat & The Mall, everyone is so sick of the traffic going to and from The Mall that I think Central will be a big hit on the bypass, and yes it will be nice to have a Tops, as well as the Freshmart in the Mall.

[BrianCR]

Excellent news for jobs. Robinson's have filled a niche between hi-so specialist (overpriced) outlets in Gaysorn, Emporium and Siam Paragon and a step above the Target and K-Mart/WalMart or even Tesco Lotus'. I think there are only Central Group as competitors but they seem more interested in real estate than just retail. A positive step in retailing.

I think they were in this business long before the other players you mention. They are the mid high end shopping centre. House of Fraser from the UK, comes to mind.

They were indeed in business before others mentioned but about 10/12 years ago they went bottom up and were bought out by non-other than....... Central Pattana!!! Who as far as I am aware still own them

[BrianCR]

As already mentioned Central group owns Robinsons though maybe seperate management

"....Robinson Department Store (Thai: ห้างสรรพสินค้าโรบินสัน) is a Thai department store chain. It was established in 1979 and was merged with Central Group in 1995. It is positioned as a mid-market retailer..."

The Central Retail Group is huge. It consists of Central department stores plus Robinson department stores, Zen department stores, Powerbuy electronics stores, Supersports sporting goods outlets, Homeworks home supply stores, Office Depot office supply stores, Tops Super Markets, B2S book stores, and the Thaiwatsadu hardware chain.

Plus Central Pattana it's property arm who own the properties used by the other mentioned companies (including the Malls)

[Thai at Heart]

what no plans for nakon ratchasima?

Yes, I think that is planned in 2014 to be located on the Bypass near to Homepro at the new Central Mall.

yes i did hear quite a while back but nothing since,its tops for me and also if mrs balbir wants to open in the food hall she will get a good welcome i am sure.

That would be fantastic. Have you heard something about that? Korat is sorely lacking an Indian place. We have to order from Koratchef to get curries, which are very good BTW.

Regarding Korat & The Mall, everyone is so sick of the traffic going to and from The Mall that I think Central will be a big hit on the bypass, and yes it will be nice to have a Tops, as well as the Freshmart in the Mall.

Every time i have been in the mall, it has to be the noisiest shopping centre in Thailand.