Expanding Chic Republic plans 2 new outlets

Almost a year on from establishing the first home-fashion store, Chic Republic has become a solid guide for urbanites who want their dwellings to look as up-to-date as the latest outfits on the fashion runways, he said. And not just in Bangkok, as the store is also the talk of the town for holiday home-owners in Khao Yai and Hua Hin, he added.

Kijja said Chic Republic would be the first tenant to open an outlet in Mega Bangna. The 1,400-square-metre store will be located near the Ikea and HomePro outlets.

"I don’t think Ikea is our competitor because of its different concept and style. I do believe both brands will complement each other," said the chief executive.

Chic Republic also plans to open a 2,000-square-metre of outlet in Hua Hin. The store will be located on the second floor of Pure Plaza, which offers a convenient parking lot for visitors.

Kijja said a key success for the company was that customers perceived the difference in its products without the need for it to offer overpriced items.

There is strong evidence of a lifestyle trend whereby customers are turning back to basics, which is why the "modtrade" – a combination of modern and traditional – furniture style has become more popular, he added.

Chic Republic offers more than 4,000 items of furniture and accessories. The store changes its collections every three to four months, so end-users and interior designers can find fresh inspiration for kitting out new homes or planning a makeover that mixes and matches their own personalities, Kijja said.

Meanwhile, Chic Republic and Arrow Bedding, the sole Thai distributor of Tempur mattresses, have jointly launched a new collection, Tempur Cloud, offering an innovative balance of softness and support.

Chic Republic is the first outlet where customers can experience the difference offered by the new range, which Kijja said combined the unique Tempur material with a newly developed, softer comfort layer for a feeling of instant relaxation.

The pressure-absorbing material was originally created by Nasa to cushion and support astronauts during lift-off. After nearly a decade and millions of research dollars, the perfected material is now available for use in mattresses.

Tempur has been recognised by Nasa for the application of space technology to improve life quality, and is the only mattress and pillow company licensed by the US Space Foundation to use the Certified Technology seal, he said.

Tempur is an open-celled visco-elastic, pressure-relieving and temperature-sensitive material that moulds to the exact contours of the body.