Central Retail unveils 1.38 billion USD expansion plan for Thailand and Vietnam
Thailand's largest retailer, Central Retail Corporation (CRC), will invest over 45 billion THB (1.38 billion USD) through 2027 to expand mainstream markets and accelerate growth across Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Vietnam.
A Go! supermarket in Long Bien, Hanoi. The supermarket chain is owned by Central Retail, which plans to invest 1.38 billion USD to expand in Thailand and Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Thailand's largest retailer Central Retail Corporation (CRC) will invest over 45 billion THB (1.38 billion USD) through 2027 to expand mainstream markets and accelerate growth in both Thailand and Vietnam, the retailer said in a press release on June 24.
The 'New heights, Next growth' strategy centres on three key areas: strengthening customer engagement through its 26-million-member loyalty programme, accelerating new business development and expanding geographically.
The company is also advancing its unified technology platform to enable a seamless omnichannel shopping experience and build the capabilities needed to scale AI integration, aiming at sustained double-digit growth in online sales.
CRC is also accelerating the expansion of its food and mall businesses in Vietnam and introducing store formats tailored to the specific needs of target customer segments in each area.
Vietnam represents the company's primary expansion target, with the country's projected GDP growth of 5.2% GDP significantly outpacing Thailand.
The retailer currently operates 330 stores across 26 provinces and cities in Vietnam.
Despite global economic headwinds, the company’s strategy aims for 5% growth in annual revenue and EBITDA.
“Doing business in an era of global economic slowdown and rapidly shifting consumer behaviour is immensely challenging,” said the company’s CEO Suthisarn Chirathivat.
ꦬ “We are enhancing every dimension of our operations by leveraging AI technology, empowering our people to work with maximum efficiency and enabling deeper insights and access to our customers.”/.
The package, endorsed on June 24, comprises 481 projects designed to boost GDP by an additional 0.4% and generate temporary employment for about 7.4 million people nationwide.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
Vietnam Airlines is pursuing an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) roadmap to reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency, and adopt sustainable aviation fuels. It is also investing in workforce development, corporate culture, and international management practices.
Vietnam ranks among Asia’s top producers and exporters of denim, with hundreds of factories producing denim fabric and garments. Vietnamese denim products are now exported to over 70 countries.
In 2024, durian was a leading export among Vietnam’s fruits and vegetables, earning a record of 3.3 billion USD and accounting for 46% of the sector’s total export value. China was the largest market, importing 3.2 billion USD worth of durians, or 97% of the total.
The arrival of this first wind power equipment shipment signalled the Trung Nam Ca Na seaport’s infrastructure readiness and its entry into a new phase of development, aligned with Vietnam’s adjusted National Power Development Plan VIII.
PM Pham Minh Chinh has called on global tech giants to bolster cooperation with Vietnam to assist with the country's efforts to drive a startup and innovation ecosystem.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had meetings with leaders from multinational corporations on June 25, advancing Vietnam’s infrastructure development as well as food processing sector, on the sideslines of the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Tianjin city.
According to UOB, following the US’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs of 46% on Vietnamese goods on April 2, around 80% of Vietnamese businesses have proactively taken measures to respond to potential impacts.
As one of the most prestigious annual international events in the industry, the expo serves as a prime platform for enterprises to connect, exchange valuable experience, and explore reliable collaboration opportunities with both domestic and international companies.
Organised by the Vietnamese Embassy and Trade Office, Vietnam's national booth showcases catalogues and product samples from over 30 Vietnamese companies, spanning key sectors such as agriculture, seafood, food and beverages, footwear, textiles, furniture, plastics, construction materials, and industrial machinery.
The pangasius industry is one of the country’s key foreign currency earners, with an annual export value of around 2 billion USD, accounting for 20% of Vietnam’s total seafood exports. The US remains one of the largest and most strategic markets for Vietnamese pangasius.
A Government Office notice on the Deputy PM’s conclusions at a recent meeting to review construction progress of the plants stressed that accelerating the development of power sources is essential and urgent to ensure energy security and meet the demands of two-digit socio-economic growth in the coming period.
It featured four discussions on key issues such as the Vietnam- Switzerland comprehensive partnership, Vietnam’s international financial centre, digital transformation and innovation, and global human resources and expansion of markets.
With rising protectionist policies for the steel industry, and the US imposing tariffs on steel exports, the sector has entered a challenging period. In response, many industry giants are returning to the domestic market.
As the most significant and high-profile event in the global logistics industry, FIATA World Congress 2025 is expected to gather over 1,200 delegates from more than 150 countries.