Six floors of Zen Department Store to open Christmas Day

Located at CentralWorld shopping complex, the lifestyle mega store has been closed since May last year, severely damaged by the fire blamed on anti-government protesters.
“We will first open six floors of Zen Department Store, which will cover beauty and luxury fashions on the first floor, shoes and handbags on the second, lingerie and women’s casual wear on the third, men’s fashions and accessories on the fourth, unisex fashions, denim and sportswear on the fifth, and gifts, toys and kid’s fashions on the sixth floor,” said Zen marketing director Charn Chanon.
He said the department store would open its seventh floor, which would showcase home furniture and the Food Loft premium food centre, by the end of next month.
“Our core target of shoppers will be the same, aged 18 to 40, who are cutting-edge and young at heart. They are fashion- and lifestyle-oriented,” Charn said.
The company is quite optimistic about next year, as the overall retail industry will enjoy a rapid recovery if the government has a clear policy on stimulating the economy, he said.
“We will see the retail market perform better in the second quarter of next year as people will spend a certain period of time in the first quarter restoring their homes.”
Central Pattana yesterday announced a budget of more than Bt100 million for its “CPN Year End Sale 2011” campaign to celebrate the holiday season.
Discounts of up to 70 per cent will be offered as part of three festive-season campaigns: “Gift Wonderland” at all CentralPlaza branches (except Central Center Pattaya) and CentralFestival Pattaya Beach; “The World of Happiness @ CentralWorld”; and “Bring Back Happiness”, which promises to cheer up those in Bangkok who were affected by the recent flooding.
Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, executive vice president of marketing for CPN, said: “Our country recently experienced the worst flooding in decades, and CPN wants to contribute its efforts to help with the post-flood rehabilitation with the aim of bringing happiness back to Thailand again.
“During the final quarter of the year, many will be celebrating the festive season, and therefore it is the best time to revive consumer confidence. We are spending more than Bt100 million on three major campaigns: The World of Happiness @ CentralWorld, Gift Wonderland and Bring Back Happiness. All three campaigns are aimed at promoting the season of joy among our customers.
“We are confident that our planned activities, events, campaigns and promotions will be able to attract customers to our shopping centres, and we are anticipating year-on-year traffic growth of at least 15 per cent during this holiday season,” Nattakit said. “Moreover, we want to showcase how all of our shopping centres – not just CentralWorld – are perfect landmarks for the New Year countdowns. Grand countdown parties will also be held at CentralFestival Pattaya Beach and CentralPlaza Khonkaen.”
He said that in addition to boosting consumer spending, CPN would offer relief goods and supplies to help flood victims clean up their residences. Discounts will be offered as part of the Bring Back Happiness campaign. A wide range of goods and services will be offered to flood victims by CPF, including discounted food.
Loxley’s construction-materials department, led by experts and engineers, will offer the Home Clinic programme to give advice on the renovation of flood-damaged homes, examining submerged appliances and water-supply systems. Free consultations will be available.
Furthermore, the KTC credit-card programme will offer a special promotion at five participating CentralPlaza shopping centres in Greater Bangkok: Pinklao, Rama 2, Raminthra, Rattanathibet and Chaengwattana.
Kuntol Boonkrajang, senior vice president for CentralPlaza and CentralFestival, said: “We aim to bring joy to our customers with our Gift Wonderland campaign, which will be held at all CentralPlaza branches and CentralFestival Beach from December 15 to January 15.
“In addition to special events and gorgeous decorations, we will be offering special promotions to our customers. For every Bt2,500 spent, customers will receive a free Urban Chic bag worth Bt450 – available from December 23-25 – and also receive additional privileges when they pay with AEON credit cards, except enterprise credit cards, according to the terms and conditions.
“Customers will get a free Kirei Kirei gel sanitiser, and a coupon for a one-night stay plus breakfast at the Ibis Hua Hin Hotel worth Bt2,500 baht.
“Each of our shopping centres will also be offering their own special promotions.”