HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Central Group, one of the largest and most diversified retail groups in Thailand, will open its first Robins Department Store in Ha Noi in March this year.
The outlet will be located in the Royal City urban area in the capital city's southwest corner, and will showcase quality products of various brands. Tos Chirathivat, Chairman of the Executive Committee and CEO of Central Group, said in a press release that the successful launch of SuperSport, Cross and New Balance stores in Viet Nam through a distribution network of Central Group's subsidiaries and brand licensing to Vietnamese partners has highlighted the spending power of the country's 90 million residents, over 60 per cent of which belong to a workforce with high purchasing power.
"This makes Viet Nam a target market with high potential for growth and an excellent destination for investors in the retail sector," said Tos Chirathivat.
The group will open its second Robins Department Store in HCM City by the end of this year. The two stores expect to employ about 1,000 workers.
Central Group's business started as a family outlet in 1927 which Tiang Chirathivat established. In 1957, Tiang's son Samrit Chirathivat expanded the business and established the first Central Department Store in Wang Burapha in Bangkok. The first Central Department Store was also the first department store in Thailand.
The Central Group's history began with retail and continues to be its major business. The group's department stores include Central, Robinson, Zen and La Rinascente; specialty stores including Powerbuy, Supersport, B2S, Homework, Office Depot and Thai Watsadu; and supermarkets such as Central Food Hall, Tops Market, Tops Super and Tops Daily. — VNS