The Mall Group is also investing 150 million baht on a rabbit-themed festival.
Central invests B300m
Central Pattana Plc has joined hands with Central Department Store under Central Retail Corporation to invest 300 million baht in "The Great Chinese New Year 2023" campaign at shopping centres and Central department stores nationwide.
Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, executive vice-president for marketing at Central Pattana, said the synergy between Central shopping centres and department stores was a key force driving Thailand's economy and tourism.
"In the first quarter, we are focusing on three main marketing strategies to help push forward the economy and tourism in the country to fully welcome the return of tourists from all over the world, with Chinese tourists increasingly arriving in the kingdom," he said.
The latest data shows that Thailand ranks among the top destinations that Chinese people want to visit.
Mr Nattakit said the campaign is also in line with the government's tax deduction campaign "Shop Dee Mee Khuen", which will spur spending and assist with the economic recovery.
Central Pattana continues to highlight its 38 Central shopping centres nationwide as the No.1 destination at every festival.
Olivier Bron, chief executive for department stores under Central Retail, said the company had seen positive signs of a full economic recovery after the impact of Covid-19 measures, which have been eased since the middle of last year, allowing consumers to return to their normal lives.
"Overall spending is increasing due to the government's 'Shop Dee Mee Khuen' campaign. We are confident that this Chinese New Year, Central Department Stores will be more special than ever," he said.
'Joy Luck Love' drive
The Mall Group is spending 150 million baht on celebrating Chinese New Year 2023 with the launch of "The Mall Group Happy Chinese New Year 2023 Joy Luck Love" campaign.
All of the group's shopping centres and department stores in Bangkok will be decorated with rabbits, the Chinese zodiac animal representing 2023, under the concept of "Lucky Rabbit Year Hop of Luck".
To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, there will be amazing acrobatic performances from Hong Kong's Che Kung Temple which will include a show featuring a gravity defying flight over a 7-metre tower of chairs, as well as "Chao Mae Thapthim Sanctuary", the goddess of the rabbit year, with the summoning ceremony carried out by the Chao Mae Thapthim Temple, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong.
Voralak Tulaphorn, chief marketing officer at The Mall Group, said the overall picture for the retail business during the first trimester of 2023 is "very lively".
Customer spending, both among Thais and foreign tourists, is continuously making a strong comeback, especially among Thai consumers who are receiving significant incentives from the government's "Shop Dee Mee Khuen" scheme.
The Mall Group, an e-Tax registered business with the Revenue Department, can issue customers the benefit of a full tax return of 40,000 baht with electronic invoices. This policy would provide a positive outcome for The Mall Group, which is expecting an increase in sales of over 30% for The Mall Department Store and also a rise in foot traffic of over 30% within its shopping centres.
ICS opens in Thonburi
Iconsiam recently launched ICS and Lotus's Privé in Thonburi, with the company hoping that the tower will become a new landmark in the area.
Described as a 4-billion-baht mixed-use lifestyle town, ICS takes the form of a 29-storey tower on Charoen Nakhon Road, opposite Iconsiam. It is located on a 5-rai plot with utility space of 70,000 square metres in total, featuring an extensive range of retail and office space as well as a hotel.
ICS, which was launched on Jan 11, aims to cater to different lifestyles and the multi-dimensional needs of consumers while accommodating additional growth in terms of Thonburi's cityscape.
The first phase includes a Lotus's Privé premium hypermarket outlet to serve people with a high level of purchasing power.
Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, managing director of ICS, said the area boasts remarkable potential for retail growth due to the immense purchasing power of its 2 million local inhabitants as well as an additional 3-5 million people based within a 5-kilometre radius.
"ICS was created to serve a multitude of consumer groups. It is designed to attract office workers, entrepreneurs, the (general) public, and travellers alike, as well as new customers," said Mr Supoj." Furthermore, ICS is an integral 'jigsaw' piece in fulfilling Iconsiam's dream of establishing a vibrant new urban district in the Thonburi area."
Caroline Murphy, president for sales and business relations at Siam Piwat, said under ICS are collaborations with over 200 major brands, including lifestyle items for home and living, IT products, financial services, fashion brands, leading cosmetics and aesthetic service businesses, stores that offer a variety of services that support everyday living, as well as over 80 well-known restaurants and top international eateries.
