Thailand will spend $32 million in 2021 for the renovation of department stores

A Thai department store operator plans to renovate some of its retail properties as the country’s pandemic wanes.

A tiny family-owned store in Bangkok began the Central Group’s journey in 1950. Today, the group owns nearly 7 million square meters of retail space. Various country hotels, restaurants, small stores, and department stores Central and Robinson carry it. It is the reconstruction of the latter and is to be done by the company, which has allocated 32 million dollars for this purpose immediately. Renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

Several plans for the Central Group have been published in the Bangkok Post. The company plans to open two new Robinson’s department stores in 2021, according to the newspaper. In Ayutthaya, near the country’s center, one will be located near the international airport U-Tapao.

Central Group plans to carry out a variety of campaigns simultaneously with the reconstruction of retail space in order to encourage customers to return to its stores. The Central Midnight Sale has already begun and will last until April 6, involving 24 department stores simultaneously.

In January and February, the retail business had a tough time, but now consumer sentiment is improving, according to Central Group’s director of customer experience Rvisra Chirathivat. Central Group’s campaigns have experienced an improved return on investment, demonstrating the increase in buying activity. It is reported that store traffic is gradually increasing, especially sales of jeans and accessories.

In 2021, Central and Robinson department stores are expected to generate about $2 billion in revenue.