Chiang Mai shopping malls,what does the future hold for them?

[uptheos]

They will all outlast this thread, i hope.

Promenada will be the most popular with expats and Thai's educated elsewhere.

Central festival with no windows like mad suan kaew and airport plaza is another "more of the same" Thai style place, it will succeed 101%.

Airport Plaza neds some TLC but will do ok, Kad Suan Kaew should be demolished due to it being a fire hazard. Or gut it and build the sky train car park in there.

Could always do with a few more malls as well, can never have too many.

i was told Kad Suan Kaew is going to be refurbished by the owners of Paragon in Bangkok

That would be really sad....the last funky mall.

[DaamNaam]

They will all outlast this thread, i hope.

Promenada will be the most popular with expats and Thai's educated elsewhere.

Central festival with no windows like mad suan kaew and airport plaza is another "more of the same" Thai style place, it will succeed 101%.

Airport Plaza neds some TLC but will do ok, Kad Suan Kaew should be demolished due to it being a fire hazard. Or gut it and build the sky train car park in there.

Could always do with a few more malls as well, can never have too many.

i was told Kad Suan Kaew is going to be refurbished by the owners of Paragon in Bangkok

Refurbished will be an understatement. It needs gutting, completely renew everything.

It certainly needs it.

Funky it may b, it won't be so funny if somebody gets hurt, or worse. The place is a death trap.

[Ulysses G.]

If Kad Suan Kaew is refurbished by the owners of Paragon in Bangkok, that will be good news for me. It really has fallen apart, but it the only one that I would go to if it was more modern.

Edited September 7, 2014 by Ulysses G.

[Frank James]

I finally went to have a look inside Maya mall last Sunday afternoon. It was really easy to get around in there, because there were very few shoppers. There seem to be a lot of blank spaces with "coming soon" signs. One such "coming soon" is an Oakley shop, right by the main entry door. You know them. They sell insanely expensive plastic sunglasses (actually more like re-badged safety glasses). I don't know what else their product line includes, but those shades alone won't keep the doors open, if they ever do open. If I owned that complex, I'd be wondering if I hadn't made a big investment error.

We left after a few minutes, caught a tuk tuk down the road to KSK. Lots of shoppers! There's a down escalator on the 2nd floor that has been "down" (in the sense of out of order) for over two weeks. Nobody cares. The place is rather shabby and beat, but it seems to be the Peoples' Choice. Lots of dead space here and there, especially in the rear, but overall, a going concern. Apparently.

Central Festival is more inviting inside than Maya IMHO. The cinema section is as nice as I've ever seen anywhere. Promenada: haven't been yet. My wife likes Airport Plaza best, followed by KSK, which is near our home.

[Asiantravel]

I finally went to have a look inside Maya mall last Sunday afternoon. It was really easy to get around in there, because there were very few shoppers. There seem to be a lot of blank spaces with "coming soon" signs. One such "coming soon" is an Oakley shop, right by the main entry door. You know them. They sell insanely expensive plastic sunglasses (actually more like re-badged safety glasses). I don't know what else their product line includes, but those shades alone won't keep the doors open, if they ever do open. If I owned that complex, I'd be wondering if I hadn't made a big investment error.

We left after a few minutes, caught a tuk tuk down the road to KSK. Lots of shoppers! There's a down escalator on the 2nd floor that has been "down" (in the sense of out of order) for over two weeks. Nobody cares. The place is rather shabby and beat, but it seems to be the Peoples' Choice. Lots of dead space here and there, especially in the rear, but overall, a going concern. Apparently.

Central Festival is more inviting inside than Maya IMHO. The cinema section is as nice as I've ever seen anywhere. Promenada: haven't been yet. My wife likes Airport Plaza best, followed by KSK, which is near our home.

“If I owned that complex, I'd be wondering if I hadn't made a big investment error.”

maybe not investment error ……….but perhaps design strategy error IMHO. ( I have never seen a shopping centre in any country that flourished without an anchor tenant )

Tenant Mix Strategy – Anchor Tenants and What You Should Know

The core strategy of a new retail shopping centre is the placement of the anchor tenants from which the tenancy mix will pivot and spread from. Most particularly these anchor tenants will be the drawcard and the major image that customers identify with the property. Tenants will also see the anchor tenant as integral to the occupancy that they may consider for themselves.Anchor tenants can be:

• Supermarkets
• Department stores
• Major tenants that serve the community at large
• Destination specialty retailers (eg Hardware or Post Office)

http://tenantmix.wordpress.com/category/shopping-centre/

Edited September 7, 2014 by Asiantravel

[opalred]

there all getting like ghost towns like frang eating places how do the survive

[Greenside]

The Baan & Beyond shed behind CAP continues to suffer. One of the restaurants and another of the shops in the front area have now thrown in the towel for lack of traffic I'd guess, since the place was almost deserted on Saturday afternoon. No one there can be making even the rent.

[kaptainrob]

The Baan & Beyond shed behind CAP continues to suffer. One of the restaurants and another of the shops in the front area have now thrown in the towel for lack of traffic I'd guess, since the place was almost deserted on Saturday afternoon. No one there can be making even the rent.

The 'other' shops are [were] pathetically over-priced junk ventures anyway. Amazon Coffee may survive ... just.

Airport Plaza was a hive of activity today. Eye candy galore!

Baan & Beyond appears to be 'adjusting' by selling off all ceramic tiles which could free up floor space for more suitable inner-city furniture-type merchandise.

[MESmith]

KSK & airport plaza will survive. KSK is where locals shop. Airport plaza is where chinese shop before flying home.

My experience of malls is visiting toy shops for prezzies. Toysrus, whenever I visit is EMPTY!! No other customers. Prices are ridiculous. Central at the other 3 malls the same. Might see westerners, but are they buying? Again, prices way too high. Lazada very limited for toys. Amazon, please open in Thailand

Best thing to do with festival is to rip out all the shops & convert to a big multi storey car park for the new skytrain users to get into the city

the only malls i ever see people actually carrying shopping bags of goods is in KSK and Airport plaza. i agree, they will survive and prosper. the others....who knows.....nice cinemas though i must admit.

i doubt shops like Omega, Hermes, Bally....(or the like) will remain open much longer. Bangkok yes...Thais do buy Bally shoes in Bangkok. but how many people in C.M. buy stuff like that? even well to do Thais in C.M. have a more casual lifestyle.

we went to Toys R Us here to buy a gift and couldn't believe the prices. we left and the wife found the same item she was looking for on the Internet for 65% less.

Toys r us are the same price as other toy stores here.

So buy your toys at 65 % less (hard to believe) then pay your Fed ex / UPS / EMS charges, then Thai import tax...yada yada yada.

If you think the retail giants like them are just silly folks plonking stores here and there at random then you are sadly mistaken. They see long term. They will be around a long time yet.

I'm really surprised to see the comments about prices - I actually think the prices in Toys R Us are great; surprisingly cheap in fact! Central Robinsons us where you need to head to see ridiculous prices.

Endless special offers in Toys R Us at the moment. Monopoly, dual language for 500 Baht is a good example. Ridiculously cheap...

If you think toysrus are cheap, you must have too much money. If they were well priced, how come it's always empty when I take a look? Btw, Monopoly, Thailand version in CF is 499 baht

[DaamNaam]

Toys R Us was chockers (lots of people) today.

They will do just fine don't you worry about that.

[worgeordie]

Toys R Us was chockers (lots of people) today.

They will do just fine don't you worry about that.

Would that be buyers ,or just lookers?, and its not even xmas yet.

regards worgeordie

[DaamNaam]

Toys R Us was chockers (lots of people) today.

They will do just fine don't you worry about that.

Would that be buyers ,or just lookers?, and its not even xmas yet.

regards worgeordie

Buyers. Very busy indeed. As was all of Promenada. Good to see.

Not everyone here is a pauper. Take a good look around.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Toys r us are the same price as other toy stores here.

So buy your toys at 65 % less (hard to believe) then pay your Fed ex / UPS / EMS charges, then Thai import tax...yada yada yada.

If you think the retail giants like them are just silly folks plonking stores here and there at random then you are sadly mistaken. They see long term. They will be around a long time yet.

I'm really surprised to see the comments about prices - I actually think the prices in Toys R Us are great; surprisingly cheap in fact! Central Robinsons us where you need to head to see ridiculous prices.

Endless special offers in Toys R Us at the moment. Monopoly, dual language for 500 Baht is a good example. Ridiculously cheap...

If you think toysrus are cheap, you must have too much money. If they were well priced, how come it's always empty when I take a look? Btw, Monopoly, Thailand version in CF is 499 baht

I'm quite happy with Toys R Us prices too. I'd call it a blessing even, after decades of having only one option with Robinson, which is truly over priced.

(Yes, cheap crap at Lotus and markets is cheaper. And doesn't last a day.)

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Toys r us are the same price as other toy stores here.

So buy your toys at 65 % less (hard to believe) then pay your Fed ex / UPS / EMS charges, then Thai import tax...yada yada yada.

If you think the retail giants like them are just silly folks plonking stores here and there at random then you are sadly mistaken. They see long term. They will be around a long time yet.

I'm really surprised to see the comments about prices - I actually think the prices in Toys R Us are great; surprisingly cheap in fact! Central Robinsons us where you need to head to see ridiculous prices.

Endless special offers in Toys R Us at the moment. Monopoly, dual language for 500 Baht is a good example. Ridiculously cheap...

If you think toysrus are cheap, you must have too much money. If they were well priced, how come it's always empty when I take a look? Btw, Monopoly, Thailand version in CF is 499 baht

I'm quite happy with Toys R Us prices too. I'd call it a blessing even, after decades of having only one option with Robinson, which is truly over priced.

(Yes, cheap crap at Lotus and markets is cheaper. And doesn't last a day.)

[Greenside]

There is high duty on toys for some reason that I can't begin to comprehend.

[DaamNaam]

There is high duty on toys for some reason that I can't begin to comprehend.

The toys at toys r us are almost identical in price to Australia and Singapore, so not sure where you are getting this info.

[whatsupdoc]

They will all outlast this thread, i hope.

Promenada will be the most popular with expats and Thai's educated elsewhere.

Central festival with no windows like mad suan kaew and airport plaza is another "more of the same" Thai style place, it will succeed 101%.

Airport Plaza neds some TLC but will do ok, Kad Suan Kaew should be demolished due to it being a fire hazard. Or gut it and build the sky train car park in there.

Could always do with a few more malls as well, can never have too many.

i was told Kad Suan Kaew is going to be refurbished by the owners of Paragon in Bangkok

Who told you?? It sounds very much like the umpteenth unsubstantiated rumor about KSK.....

[Greenside]

There is high duty on toys for some reason that I can't begin to comprehend.

The toys at toys r us are almost identical in price to Australia and Singapore, so not sure where you are getting this info.

Head teacher at my son's kindergarten. Generally they do seem expensive to me, though.

[DaamNaam]

There is high duty on toys for some reason that I can't begin to comprehend.

The toys at toys r us are almost identical in price to Australia and Singapore, so not sure where you are getting this info.

Head teacher at my son's kindergarten. Generally they do seem expensive to me, though.

Good for her.

I've just been in both countries, they are the same price structure as Thailand.

And don't believe me either, find out for yourself.

Google it.

[cardinalblue]

Shopping malls represent a place to kill time and socialize (eating, etc) but not a place to shop..

They will survive b/c it's a growing part of their culture esp for middle incomers and above to hang out...It's a place to be seen and gain image points in like-minded Thais..

CM is following the Bkk model of shopping malls...

CB

[DaamNaam]

Shopping malls represent a place to kill time and socialize (eating, etc) but not a place to shop..

They will survive b/c it's a growing part of their culture esp for middle incomers and above to hang out...It's a place to be seen and gain image points in like-minded Thais..

CM is following the Bkk model of shopping malls...

CB

Shopping malls are not a place to shop?

Now I have seen it all on Tvisa.com

[quidnunc]

Shopping malls represent a place to kill time and socialize (eating, etc) but not a place to shop..

They will survive b/c it's a growing part of their culture esp for middle incomers and above to hang out...It's a place to be seen and gain image points in like-minded Thais..

CM is following the Bkk model of shopping malls...

CB

Unless shopping malls find a way to profit from socializing, how can they survive? I don't think restaurants and coffee shops are enough to sustain a mall. As I noted earlier, they're dying in the USA thanks to the internet. Thailand still doesn't have much in the way of internet shopping. Most likely, that will change rapidly. It's already beginning.

[DaamNaam]

Shopping malls represent a place to kill time and socialize (eating, etc) but not a place to shop..

They will survive b/c it's a growing part of their culture esp for middle incomers and above to hang out...It's a place to be seen and gain image points in like-minded Thais..

CM is following the Bkk model of shopping malls...

CB

Unless shopping malls find a way to profit from socializing, how can they survive? I don't think restaurants and coffee shops are enough to sustain a mall. As I noted earlier, they're dying in the USA thanks to the internet. Thailand still doesn't have much in the way of internet shopping. Most likely, that will change rapidly. It's already beginning.

Folks go to "get out of the house" also. Australia has internet shopping and the malls are still very busy.

A friend of mine in California says they are still building malls there, old ones all still popular and busy.

The internet won't take all that away.

[thailiketoo]

Anecdotal evidence especially on Thai Visa is worthless. You want to know how the malls are doing? Central Embassy just opened in Bangkok and is one of the most expensive malls in the world.

The 37-story building dedicates eight floors to retail shops and the rest to a high-end hotel, Park Hyatt, which is still some way off completion.

Stores from some of the world's most exciting fashion brands, such as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin, Jil Sander, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Hublot, plus high-end concept store Siwilai.

Thailand is booming not bombing. Now you can even get Teuschers chocolates in Thailand.

YChocolates of Switzerland and Cocoa Lounge
Central Embassy
1031 Ploenchit Rd.
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok

The 37-story building dedicates eight floors to retail shops and the rest to a high-end hotel, Park Hyatt, which is still some way off completion.

While some of the stores will not be ready for the offical opening, you can expect stores from some of the world's most exciting fashion brands, such as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin, Jil Sander, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Hublot, plus high-end concept store Siwilai.

- See more at: http://bk.asia-city.com/city-living/news/bangkok-central-embassy-opens-may-9#sthash.9B98MgKO.dpuf

[daoyai]

It's a mall world after all, it's a mall world afterall , It's a mall world afterall... It's a mall mall world.

[northernjohn]

Shopping malls represent a place to kill time and socialize (eating, etc) but not a place to shop..

They will survive b/c it's a growing part of their culture esp for middle incomers and above to hang out...It's a place to be seen and gain image points in like-minded Thais..

CM is following the Bkk model of shopping malls...

CB

How would they survive if people did not shop there?

[Asiantravel]

Anecdotal evidence especially on Thai Visa is worthless. You want to know how the malls are doing? Central Embassy just opened in Bangkok and is one of the most expensive malls in the world.

The 37-story building dedicates eight floors to retail shops and the rest to a high-end hotel, Park Hyatt, which is still some way off completion.

Stores from some of the world's most exciting fashion brands, such as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin, Jil Sander, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Hublot, plus high-end concept store Siwilai.

Thailand is booming not bombing. Now you can even get Teuschers chocolates in Thailand.

YChocolates of Switzerland and Cocoa Lounge

Central Embassy

1031 Ploenchit Rd.

Lumpini, Pathumwan

Bangkok

The 37-story building dedicates eight floors to retail shops and the rest to a high-end hotel, Park Hyatt, which is still some way off completion.

While some of the stores will not be ready for the offical opening, you can expect stores from some of the world's most exciting fashion brands, such as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin, Jil Sander, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Hublot, plus high-end concept store Siwilai.

- See more at: http://bk.asia-city.com/city-living/news/bangkok-central-embassy-opens-may-9#sthash.9B98MgKO.dpuf

" Thailand is booming not bombing "

and what does opening new shops prove? You do need a demand side of the equation as well or should I say demand " ability ". How much can you realistically expect to be able to squeeze from the consumer ?

When I read statistics in USA 26% of Americans have no emergency savings whatsoever and 66% don't have at least six months worth of savings, I wonder how these kinds of statistics look regarding the Thai consumer?

If Thailand increases its VAT rate from 7% to 10% which is expected, notice what has only just happened in Japan, where they increased their VAT from 5 to 8%. They have just announced a bigger than expected contraction in their economy of 7.1%.

You can't get blood out of a stone

Edited September 9, 2014 by Asiantravel

[thailiketoo]

Anecdotal evidence especially on Thai Visa is worthless. You want to know how the malls are doing? Central Embassy just opened in Bangkok and is one of the most expensive malls in the world.

The 37-story building dedicates eight floors to retail shops and the rest to a high-end hotel, Park Hyatt, which is still some way off completion.

Stores from some of the world's most exciting fashion brands, such as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin, Jil Sander, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Hublot, plus high-end concept store Siwilai.

Thailand is booming not bombing. Now you can even get Teuschers chocolates in Thailand.

YChocolates of Switzerland and Cocoa Lounge

Central Embassy

1031 Ploenchit Rd.

Lumpini, Pathumwan

Bangkok

The 37-story building dedicates eight floors to retail shops and the rest to a high-end hotel, Park Hyatt, which is still some way off completion.

While some of the stores will not be ready for the offical opening, you can expect stores from some of the world's most exciting fashion brands, such as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin, Jil Sander, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Hublot, plus high-end concept store Siwilai.

- See more at: http://bk.asia-city.com/city-living/news/bangkok-central-embassy-opens-may-9#sthash.9B98MgKO.dpuf

" Thailand is booming not bombing "

and what does opening new shops prove? You do need a demand side of the equation as well or should I say demand " ability ". How much can you realistically expect to be able to squeeze from the consumer ?

When I read statistics in USA 26% of Americans have no emergency savings whatsoever and 66% don't have at least six months worth of savings, I wonder how these kinds of statistics look regarding the Thai consumer?

If Thailand increases its VAT rate from 7% to 10% which is expected, notice what has only just happened in Japan, where they increased their VAT from 5 to 8%. They have just announced a bigger than expected contraction in their economy of 7.1%.

You can't get blood out of a stone

Stones don't go shopping at one of the most expensive malls in the world, Central Embassy. Are you implying that you are a bigger economic brain than the people involved in planning for Central Group? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Group

Are you employed in the economic forecasting business? Don't get me wrong. If you're some new economic guru just out of the London School of Economics let us know.

Edited September 9, 2014 by thailiketoo

[pgrahmm]

I think the OP's concern was what happens to the small businesses in these near empty malls.....the malls themselves are backed by deep pockets - it's the little businesses that get treadmilled in and out at their own peril if they don't have the years to lanquish until successful......some, no doubt, would have been better off to have opened in an out of mall location.....

[kaptainrob]

^pg~ is correct, mall owners get their rent and some more if lessee's default/go bust. They usually have a wait-list to come in and do it all again ....

Whether a mall will survive, evolve or go bust depends on the owner. Central Festival may grow or evolve but never go bust.

Promenada IMO will evolve pretty quickly into an entertainment and restaurant SPECIALTY mall ... in keeping with original design. Retail stores which rely on daytime shoppers will close or perhaps like Mango, never open. I'd like to see a hotel, convention centre [or casino ] built on-site or adjacent to Promenada.