Big C Supercenter Plc, a leading retail operator in Thailand, plans to overhaul the image of its stores and enhance its digital eco-system to increase sales opportunities and strengthen its offerings to fit customers' changing lifestyles.
Aswin Techajareonvikul, the company's chief executive and president, said the firm will start refreshing and renovating stores next year.
The renovation plan is likely to be completed within 18 months.
According to Mr Aswin, the company aims to open 2-3 new branches in 2023, both under the hypermarket and Big C Food Place formats. The expansion plan will increase the number of Big C hypermarkets to 155-156 stores next year.
In addition, the company plans to open 200-300 new Mini Big C Market stores, 15-20 new Food Place supermarkets in Bangkok and surrounding areas, and 2-3 Pure drug stores.
The company currently operates more than 1,500 retail stores in various formats. There are 1,456 Mini Big C stores, 153 hypermarkets, 11 Food Place stores, 38 Big C Market stores, 16 Depo stores, 154 Pure drug stores, and three Mega Market stores.
Piyawan Piyapong, the company's first executive vice-president of the Big C digital platform, said the firm recently set up a Big C Digital business unit, which comprises a tech team to develop its digital platform.
The company launched the "Big C PLUS" application earlier this month to facilitate online shopping services in Thailand, targeting 5 million downloads in 2023, up from 3 million right now.
Big C has allocated 500 million baht for its five-year roadmap spanning 2022 and 2026, as it aims to develop and increase the function of the Big C Plus app to better serve its customers with faster delivery.
According to Ms Piyawan, the new version of the Big C app has more efficiency, convenience and speed for online and in-person shopping, alongside a loyalty programme.
"This new app will enhance our omnichannel commerce, and it is Big C's strategy to enhance customers' experience, making them more happy and comfortable shopping for products at cost-effective prices," Mr Aswin said.
Ms Piyawan added that initially the app will be used to link to all Big C stores in Thailand, connecting 17 million holders of its loyalty card. The company plans to roll it out to its overseas network next year, including 60 Mini Big C stores in Laos and 21 retail stores in Cambodia, as well as increase its finance and health services in 2024 and provide more linkage to its suppliers, tenants and partnerships.
"Thai people are increasingly doing their shopping online, especially during the pandemic. We saw a growth in demand, both from Big C's regular mainstream customers and new online customers," said Ms Piyawan. "Big C is committed to continually developing new technologies to become a fully digital commerce platform."
