Retailers attribute strong sales to tax incentive campaign
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RETAIL SALES OF consumer products in Bangkok and other provinces have jumped by 5-20 per cent over the past few days, attributed to the special tax incentive offered by the government for year-end shopping.
The week-long campaign started on Christmas Day.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-a-cha yesterday urged people with plenty of disposable income to spend more to help stimulate the economy, but was noncommittal about an extension of the tax measure beyond this year.
Warunee Kitjaroenpoonsin, director of corporate affairs at Big C Supercenter, said the hypermarket chain had followed up by launching a marketing campaign to boost sales of home appliances, smartphones, electronic gadgets and other popular items.
Besides the tax break of Bt750-Bt5,250 per customer, extra discounts are offered to buyers of these products during the “Shop Puer Chat” (Shopping for the Nation) campaign, she said.
“Since Day 1 of the tax-deduction measure, all stores have seen more customer traffic. So far, sales have gone up 10-20 per cent, with both large and small electrical appliances, gift items and dry food products among the best sellers,” she said.
All branches are now ready to provide full VAT (value-added tax) receipts for consumers to claim the tax credit, which takes only five to 10 minutes to issue thanks to the deployment of additional staff and printers.
The year-end tax rebate has helped increase consumer spending and will eventually benefit the overall economy, she said.
Salinla Seehaphan, director of corporate affairs for Tesco Lotus, said the number of visitors to the hypermarket chain had zoomed over the past three days because they want to get the tax credit as well as the store’s special discounts and gift vouchers.
Rangsit Plaza Co, operator of Future Park Rangsit Shopping Centre, said shoppers had increased by 5.7 per cent for the December 25-27 period.
A sales clerk in the home-appliance section of HomePro at the Mega Bangna Shopping Mall said people had flocked in to buy refrigerators during the weekend because of the campaign.
“On Sunday alone, we were able to sell 15 fridges. Sales in other sections also rose,” he said.
During the remaining days of the campaign, he expects more people to come.
Robinson Department Store said sales at its branches were up by an average of 20 per cent from normal weekends.
“We have seen a long queue of shoppers waiting to apply for the tax deduction at our major locations, especially Chiang Mai, Surat Thani and Bangkok.
“We provide shoppers with seats and queue cards to make it more convenient for them,” he said.
“Customers can go on shopping at the department store and come back to pick up their tax form later before going back home.”
Fashion products, home decorative items and watches were among the hot sellers.
In the northeastern province of Buri Ram, Taweekij Super Centre, a major retail operator, reported a 10-per-cent increase in sales of consumer products.
Sirinun Rojanasinwilai, executive director, said more than 200 customers per day had asked for full VAT receipts since December 25.
The government should continue the tax privilege for 30 more days to animate the local economy, he said.
