Having ridden towards the top of Khao Talo this morning, I notice they are building a Mini Big C shop. It appears like it will be open before too much longer.

Looks like a version of the small Tesco / 7/11's.

Never seen or heard of one of these before. Is it a new venture by BigC or do they have them elsewhere?

There is also a Mini Big C on Khao Noi. It's been open a few months, I think. A bit up from Paradise Bar on the opposite side of the road.

Not been in so cannot offer a comparison to the small Tesco's.

Up here in BKK they have been here for at least a year, My missus works at the company that builds and fits them (also Tesco Express) dealing with the quotes. They are very similar as 7/11 & Tesco, only they offer the Big C brands etc.

only difference between the mini big-c and tesco with 7-11 is that they have some selection of 'fresh' meats and veg

You learn something new every day

I'll have to look in when they open and compare their prices with Tesco & 7/11 for those small items we buy.

Surely it should be LittleC?

mini BigCs on SSCC and Nernplabwhan already as well.

They are actually called Mini C.

For the last 3-4 years Mini C's, Tesco Express, Tops's popped up along the major Soi's on the "Dark Side" of Pattaya.

Amazingly enough, in some cases there are Tops's and Tesco's brotherly next to or opposite each other.

Urban planning at its best.

For the last 3-4 years Mini C's, Tesco Express, Tops's popped up along the major Soi's on the "Dark Side" of Pattaya.

Amazingly enough, in some cases there are Tops's and Tesco's brotherly next to or opposite each other.

Urban planning at its best.

Yep, they're going to head to head with 7Elevens and Family Mart in a big way.. and you're lucky if you have one close by because of the far superior selection compared to 7Elevens including fresh fruit, veges and meat. One street off Pattaya Tai has 7Elevens on opposite corners of the same intersection with a mini-Tesco right next door. Talk about aggressive competition.

I've found some very good deals in the mini-Tops stores.

For the last 3-4 years Mini C's, Tesco Express, Tops's popped up along the major Soi's on the "Dark Side" of Pattaya.

Amazingly enough, in some cases there are Tops's and Tesco's brotherly next to or opposite each other.

Urban planning at its best.

Yep, they're going to head to head with 7Elevens and Family Mart in a big way.. and you're lucky if you have one close by because of the far superior selection compared to 7Elevens including fresh fruit, veges and meat. One street off Pattaya Tai has 7Elevens on opposite corners of the same intersection with a mini-Tesco right next door. Talk about aggressive competition.

I've found some very good deals in the mini-Tops stores.

you must be kidding...buy fresh produce and meat at a Mini C or Lotus Express...how disgusting!

there also one on the rai wa na sin market on siam country club road

along with a 7-11 and a tesco

overkill springs to mind......

For the last 3-4 years Mini C's, Tesco Express, Tops's popped up along the major Soi's on the "Dark Side" of Pattaya.

Amazingly enough, in some cases there are Tops's and Tesco's brotherly next to or opposite each other.

Urban planning at its best.

Yep, they're going to head to head with 7Elevens and Family Mart in a big way.. and you're lucky if you have one close by because of the far superior selection compared to 7Elevens including fresh fruit, veges and meat. One street off Pattaya Tai has 7Elevens on opposite corners of the same intersection with a mini-Tesco right next door. Talk about aggressive competition.

I've found some very good deals in the mini-Tops stores.

you must be kidding...buy fresh produce and meat at a Mini C or Lotus Express...how disgusting!

Allow me me to clear up the confusion. They have fresh fruit and veges and frozen meat. There's no fresh meat.

I haven't yet tried the frozen meat, but there's nothing wrong with the fruit or veges. If something is not fresh I don't buy it. Most people with half a brain know when fruit and veges are ok and when they're not.

(You really should quit stalking me - did you get tired of the gym thread?)

Edited May 11, 201313 yr by tropo

They are everywhere now, and the good point is that Mibi BigC, Tops Daily and Lotus Express sell products exactly at the same price as in the big stores. War with 7/11 has started, but not sure that the Jap lose it this time :-)

For the last 3-4 years Mini C's, Tesco Express, Tops's popped up along the major Soi's on the "Dark Side" of Pattaya.

Amazingly enough, in some cases there are Tops's and Tesco's brotherly next to or opposite each other.

Urban planning at its best.

Yep, they're going to head to head with 7Elevens and Family Mart in a big way.. and you're lucky if you have one close by because of the far superior selection compared to 7Elevens including fresh fruit, veges and meat. One street off Pattaya Tai has 7Elevens on opposite corners of the same intersection with a mini-Tesco right next door. Talk about aggressive competition.

I've found some very good deals in the mini-Tops stores.

you must be kidding...buy fresh produce and meat at a Mini C or Lotus Express...how disgusting!

Where shall I buy fresh produce and meat? If not there, in a Small Lotus or a Mini Lotus Express?

In the middle of now where, in a small Amphoe in Udon Thani province? Are you kidding?

Edited May 13, 201313 yr by ALFREDO

you must be kidding...buy fresh produce and meat at a Mini C or Lotus Express...how disgusting!

Where shall I buy fresh produce and meat? If not there, in a Small Lotus or a Mini Lotus Express?

In the middle of now where, in a small Amphoe in Udon Thani province? Are you kidding?

Life is getting easier by the day in Pattaya. Now we have 24 stores all over Pattaya selling fresh produce. Until these stores started opening all around town I had no options other than Foodland and Food Mart late at night.

They are actually called Mini C.

On the signs it says mini Big C, but yeah there is also no Lotat on the tesco express signs

For the last 3-4 years Mini C's, Tesco Express, Tops's popped up along the major Soi's on the "Dark Side" of Pattaya.

Amazingly enough, in some cases there are Tops's and Tesco's brotherly next to or opposite each other.

Urban planning at its best.

I actually wanted to start a thread about this 2 weeks ago, when I drove up Khao Talo starting from the railway road and then down Kaow Noi until the railway road.

I must have counted at least 30 Tesco's, tops, 7/11, mini big c's, freshmart and family marts on that stretch.That is along with at least 4 bigger market places and a few smaller ones, about 35 mom and pop shops and 100 Meals on Wheels. and raodside foodstalls.

Keep in mind that the whole traject is 10 Km. So that accounts for one selling point every 50 meters or less, don't tell me that all can be profitable.

Seen a few of them in Bangkok.. but might be new to Pattaya

The beer I drink is 39B in 7/11 and Family Mart and small Tops stores, 37B in small Tesco branches and 36B in MiniBigC Khao Noi. Most large stores have it for 36B also.

But I usually buy it at Makro for 33.25B.

There is also another company, here in BKK, that you may start to see called Max Value. They also have a smaller minimart style shop.

Edited May 14, 201313 yr by Psych01

For the last 3-4 years Mini C's, Tesco Express, Tops's popped up along the major Soi's on the "Dark Side" of Pattaya.

Amazingly enough, in some cases there are Tops's and Tesco's brotherly next to or opposite each other.

Urban planning at its best.

I actually wanted to start a thread about this 2 weeks ago, when I drove up Khao Talo starting from the railway road and then down Kaow Noi until the railway road.

I must have counted at least 30 Tesco's, tops, 7/11, mini big c's, freshmart and family marts on that stretch.That is along with at least 4 bigger market places and a few smaller ones, about 35 mom and pop shops and 100 Meals on Wheels. and raodside foodstalls.

Keep in mind that the whole traject is 10 Km. So that accounts for one selling point every 50 meters or less, don't tell me that all can be profitable.

It does seem crazy to have so many available, yet the ones I go into always seem to have customers. There are a lot of housing estates up and around Khao Talo, maybe that is where the customer base comes from.

For the last 3-4 years Mini C's, Tesco Express, Tops's popped up along the major Soi's on the "Dark Side" of Pattaya.

Amazingly enough, in some cases there are Tops's and Tesco's brotherly next to or opposite each other.

Urban planning at its best.

Yep, they're going to head to head with 7Elevens and Family Mart in a big way.. and you're lucky if you have one close by because of the far superior selection compared to 7Elevens including fresh fruit, veges and meat. One street off Pattaya Tai has 7Elevens on opposite corners of the same intersection with a mini-Tesco right next door. Talk about aggressive competition.

I've found some very good deals in the mini-Tops stores.

you must be kidding...buy fresh produce and meat at a Mini C or Lotus Express...how disgusting!

Where shall I buy fresh produce and meat? If not there, in a Small Lotus or a Mini Lotus Express?

In the middle of now where, in a small Amphoe in Udon Thani province? Are you kidding?

This is a pattaya thread so I have no idea...maybe ask in the issan sub-forum.

No, they are not all profitable, but even though they change hands dozens of times, we do not see the change, so we think its the same owner, and wonder how they survive. Yes, they have lots of customers, but how much do the customers buy? One beer and a sandwich does not make a lot of profit. Same with the bars, we dont see the ownership changing, just see the bar, and wonder how it survives. Also lots of bars being sold, so we can either think its not doing good business, or lots of customers want a bar that is making money. The truth is, they are not making money, and once the charm of owning a bar wears off, and the owner realizes its not making money, it goes up for sale. Then another chump comes along, with great ideas, and buys it. Never ending circle.

Yep, they're going to head to head with 7Elevens and Family Mart in a big way.. and you're lucky if you have one close by because of the far superior selection compared to 7Elevens including fresh fruit, veges and meat. One street off Pattaya Tai has 7Elevens on opposite corners of the same intersection with a mini-Tesco right next door. Talk about aggressive competition.

I've found some very good deals in the mini-Tops stores.

you must be kidding...buy fresh produce and meat at a Mini C or Lotus Express...how disgusting!

Where shall I buy fresh produce and meat? If not there, in a Small Lotus or a Mini Lotus Express?

In the middle of now where, in a small Amphoe in Udon Thani province? Are you kidding?

This is a pattaya thread so I have no idea...maybe ask in the issan sub-forum.

OMG - I believe you are one of the, special "Smug Wise guy's"

I was not aware in which section I am in Thai Visa, as I came to that thread threw my e-mail alert from Thai Visa, without details

and did not read the

"overhead" small print.

You write, without any "differentiation"

==="buy fresh produce and meat at a Mini C or Lotus Express...how disgusting!"===

And Lotus Express are everywhere! So there products are everywhere "disgusting". as it is your opinion.

So I eat something disgusting!? ?

Such an "Unreasonable" opinion and posting needs a reply!

Thailand is not only Pattaya and Bangkok!

Edited May 14, 201313 yr by ALFREDO

you must be kidding...buy fresh produce and meat at a Mini C or Lotus Express...how disgusting!

Where shall I buy fresh produce and meat? If not there, in a Small Lotus or a Mini Lotus Express?

In the middle of now where, in a small Amphoe in Udon Thani province? Are you kidding?

Life is getting easier by the day in Pattaya. Now we have 24 stores all over Pattaya selling fresh produce. Until these stores started opening all around town I had no options other than Foodland and Food Mart late at night.

I have no choice, the market in a small Village or Amphoe, the butcher, the passing by open car sales - all come with flies for free! - or a Lotus.

Even the smallest in the Amphoes have fresh meat, neatly packed.

you must be kidding...buy fresh produce and meat at a Mini C or Lotus Express...how disgusting!

Where shall I buy fresh produce and meat? If not there, in a Small Lotus or a Mini Lotus Express?

In the middle of now where, in a small Amphoe in Udon Thani province? Are you kidding?

Life is getting easier by the day in Pattaya. Now we have 24 stores all over Pattaya selling fresh produce. Until these stores started opening all around town I had no options other than Foodland and Food Mart late at night.

I have no choice, the market in a small Village or Amphoe, the butcher, the passing by open car sales - all come with flies for free! - or a Lotus.

Even the smallest in the Amphoes have fresh meat, neatly packed.

You're right there, however Tesco would also not my choice unless nothing better is available, I would never dream about buying meat from an open market in Thailand.

Tesco would also not my choice unless nothing better is available, I would never dream about buying meat from an open market in Thailand.

Difficult,

to have more possibilities would have to drive 85 km to Udon Thani city, with a Tops Market in Central, Villa Market also somewhere and as I just saw, a Fresh Meat? Or frozen meat Outlet-shop I never saw before. Passed by with car to fast, did not recognize what that shop is.

Edited May 14, 201313 yr by ALFREDO