Customers shop at a GO! hypermarket. Thai retailer Central Retail Corporation has unveiled a five-year plan to invest THB 35 billion (US$1.1 billion) to expand its footprint in Viet Nam. — Photo courtesy of Central Retail Vietnam

Thai retailer Central Retail Corporation has unveiled a five-year plan to invest 35 billion baht (US$1.1 billion) to expand in Viet Nam.

Yol Phokasub, its CEO, said: “Throughout CRC’s nine years of operations in Viet Nam, food has remained a significant category, contributing approximately 70 per cent of total revenues. The company [now] aims to solidify the non-food category and enhance its omnichannel platform.

The omnichannel platform will include online sales, e-commerce, quick commerce, social commerce (chat & shop), hotlines, and ‘click and drive’ services.

Philippe Broianigo, CEO of Central Retail Vietnam, said: “CRC has set up a five-year road map with the key focus on expanding multi-concept penetration in all clusters across city centres and suburban and rural areas, revamping brands in the food category for better synergy and enhanced customer experience, building brands in non-food categories, and developing the omnichannel platform.”

Last year, the company opened four GO! malls in Tra Vinh, Quang Ngai, Buon Ma Thuot, and Ben Tre provinces; rebranded Big C to GO! and opened the first go! supermarket in Quang Nam Province.

This year it continues its expansion with an investment of six billion baht ($191.8 million).

It will open four GO! malls in Thai Nguyen, Ba Ria, Thai Binh, and Lao Cai provinces, and one go! mini supermarket and change 15 Big C to eight GO! hypermarkets and seven Tops Market, and further diversify its non-food business.

Its long-term plan is to expand to 55 provinces nation-wide within five years.

It currently gets an average of 175,000 customers a day in to its 37 malls and over 230 stores across 39 provinces. — VNS