Imports to relieve goods shortage

The imported products will help make up 1015 per cent of stocks of those products which are vanishing from retail shelves amid the flooding situation, said association director Dr Chatchai Tuangrattanapan.
Chatchai said TRA has urged its retailers members to import necessary commodity products, including drinking water, eggs, fruits and vegetables, tissue paper, and sanitary napkins, from their retail networks in neighbouring countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia.
The move is in line with the government’s measure to tackle the flood crisis, which has caused panic among consumers, leading them to stock up products at home. Many highdemand products are now out of stock at retail outlets.
“The first shipment of imported necessary goods will arrive at Klong Toei seaport by this weekend and will be on retail shelves by the middle of next week,” said Chatchai. “TRA and our retail members, the Commerce Ministry, and Khlong Toei seaport will work hand-in-hand on a daily basis to ensure those imported goods reach the shelves of retail outlets as scheduled,” he added.
He said that consumers are currently in a state of panic about the flood, which is heading towards Bangkok. Individual purchases have increased dramatically by between 400 per cent and 500 per cent on average.
Meanwhile, many retail and wholesale operators as well as food manufacturers have been affected by the severe floods, forcing them to halt their business, leading to supply shortage.
However, Siam Makro has vowed to keep all its stores open throughout the country, putting a cap on regular selling prices, and steering clear of any hoarding of goods, Pariyanuch Na Taguatung, marketing director of the company, revealed yesterday.
Consumer goods in high demand during the current flood crisis include drinking water, canned fish, instant noodles, rice, eggs, flashlights, batteries, trash bags, toilet paper, mosquito repellants, water filters, and car cover sheets.
Big C Supercentre has temporarily closed 7 branches and one distribution centre due to flooding until the situation returns to normal. The branches are Big C hypermarket, Klong 3, Big C hypermarket, Rangsit 2, Mini Big C, Pruksa 3 Village, Mini Big C, Thait, Mini Big C, Prapin 3, Mini Big C, Rangsit Klong 2, Pure, Prapin 3. The distribution centre is in Bang Yhai, Nonthaburi province.
The company has already prepared other places as temporary distribution centres.
Central Pattana yesterday temporarily closed Central Pinklao as it was inconvenient for traffic while Central Restaurant Group has closed six of Ootoya Japanese restaurants in Central Pinklao, Central Lat Phrao, The Mall Bangkae, Future Park Rangsit, Fashion Island and The Avenue Chaeng Wattana.
Abico Holdings, food and beverage manufacturer, said yesterday it was affected by the floods and had temporarily ceased operations, including Abico Dairy Farm, PPO Farm and Abico Land since October 25. It said operations would resume as soon as the traffic situation returns to normal. However, Abico Dairy Farm located on Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima and PPO Farm located Bueng Kan province are still operating normally.