10 new store openings for next year

President Suthisarn Chirathivat said yesterday that half of the capital budget would go to the expansion of Thai Watsadu stores, with a focus on high-potential secondary provinces throughout the country.
Yesterday the ninth Thai Watsadu branch started formally serving shoppers in Sakon Nakhon at a cost of Bt600 million, including stock.
With 30,000 square metres of retail space, the Sakon Nakhon branch is expected to generate Bt60 million to Bt70 million in monthly sales.
“Like other branches in Buri Ram, Phitsanulok, Lampang and Surin, the Sakon Nakhon store will mainly serve individual home-owners who purchase products for do-it-yourself projects. They account for about 70 per cent of total customers based on sales volume. Of the remaining customers, 10 per cent are resellers and 15 per cent are contractors,” Suthisarn said.
“Our Thai Watsadu in Sakon Nakhon will serve not only people in the province, but also those from neighbouring provinces such as Nong Khai, Mukdahan and Kalasin, as well as from Laos, which accounts for 5-10 per cent of total visitors,” he said.
Another Thai Watsadu is set to debut in Surat Thani next month.
Four stores had to suspend operations because of the massive flood that struck Greater Bangkok last month.
“We have already opened our Thai Watsadu in Bang Bua Thong yesterday after being closed for one month. We also opened our HomeWorks in Ratchaphruek and Phetkasem last week.
“Another affected HomeWorks in the basement of Future Park Rangsit will be also opened next week,” he said.
The flood has not hurt the company’s overall sales, which are set to surge almost 50 per cent this year, including new stores. On a same-store basis, 7-per-cent growth is expected this year.
CRC Power Retail has opened seven Thai Watsadus this year but no HomeWorks.
During the flooding, residents moved out of Bangkok to stay at hotels and their second homes in other cities, such as Pattaya.
“We have seen strong sales growth of nearly 40 per cent at our HomeWorks in Pattaya. Other stores in Bangkok and suburbs, such as Bang Na and Sukhaphibal III, which have not been affected by the flood, have also performed well, doubling from the previous period,” he said.
CRC Power Retail, in cooperation with the Internal Trade Department, has launched a post-flood relief campaign aimed at easing the cost of living for flood victims.
The promotion from December 1 to January 15 will offer big discounts of 30-80 per cent on thousands of home repair and improvement products at major locations such as HomeWorks Ratchaphruek as well as Thai Watsadu Bang Bua Thong, Sukhaphibal III, Bang Na and Mahachai.