Weather, flood lift Power Buy

Sa-angthip Amornchat said the market had been given a major boost by the very hot weather, which is expected to drive demand for air-conditioners by almost 200 per cent this year, while overall refrigerator sales could rise by 20-30 per cent. 

Consumers will also continue to buy appliances to fill their homes during the rehabilitation period following last year’s floods, she said. 

Moreover, the government is spending large amounts on various infrastructure projects, which will result in higher incomes, especially among grass-roots people, and therefore boost their spending power, she added.

Makers of electrical appliances will speed up their output and supply more products to the market during the current quarter, after the flood crisis late last year resulted in a temporary shortage of such items. 

The only factor of concern is the slowdown in the global economy, the CEO said.

“Power Buy is investing Bt1 billion to open 16 new branches this year, together with the facelift of 11 existing stores. The expansion will be in line with the opening of Thai Watsadu and CentralPlaza shopping malls,” Sa-angthip said.

The expansion means the number of Power Buy stores will reach 87 by the end of the year. The company currently operates 75 stores, of which 34 are in Bangkok.

“We expect the expansion through new stores will allow us to achieve our 20-per-cent growth target to about Bt20 billion in sales this year, up from Bt16 billion last year,” she said.

The company yesterday announced the “Power Buy Expo 2012” grand fair, which will offer more than 150 brands of electrical products and daily sharp sales discounts and promotions of up to 30 per cent.The fair will be held on 6,000 square metres of space from April 27 to May 7 at Hall 101 of Bitec in Bangkok’s Bang Na district.