“central group” Through a test of strength in the Thai retail business Since the economic crisis of 1997, one of the businesses has been affected by higher loan interest rates because the baht is floating. and the COVID situation causing the closure of shopping mall branches in Thailand and abroad But over the past 75 years, it has been able to change the organization and always be continuous in the retail business.
Ready to step into an international company that invests in Thailand and abroad Through the form of acquisitions, mergers, auctions for business management. or join an investment Currently, it has become the world’s largest overseas department store network, covering 11 countries, 80 cities, 120 branches.
Back to the Central Group investment model schedule. has started expanding investment since 1994 in Thailand chasing since then Robinson Central World department store, Office Mate, B2S, Family Mart convenience stores and Mega Bangna Shopping Center, including technology businesses like Grab, with a total of about 7 big deals.
Abroad, starting from La Rinascente, Italy, ILLUM department store (ILLUM) Denmark, Big C Vietnam, Nguyen Kim Vietnam, 3 luxury department stores in Germany, namely Cade KaDeWe, Alsterhaus and Oberpollinger (Oberpollinger), Globus, department store luxury in Switzerland, and Selfridges, which has department stores in England, Ireland, the Netherlands, a total of about 7 big deals.
Strategizing towards a global brand since 1994
About 14 major investments in these investments come from Central Group’s strategy which aims to become the world’s leading shopping center leader. Throughout the period since 1994, the strategy has been issued to international companies. There has been continuous acquisition. The details of the big deal are interesting as follows.
Retail businesses in Thailand have invested in shares of Robinson Department Store. Until becoming the main shareholder in 2015 and currently redesigning Robinson to Robinson Lifestyle which set the pattern to be the hub of life that belongs to everyone in the community (Lifestyle and Experiential Community) Currently , a total of 25 branches in 24 states are open for service.
Later, there was an investment auction to buy. World Trade Center and changed its name to a shopping center “Central World” has been opened since 2002, with a renovation to become one of the largest shopping centers in Thailand with a total retail space of 830,000 square meters. it became a landmark in the heart of the Ratchaprasong district and a worldwide tourist destination
Another new business expansion for the technology business in 2017 was the launch of JD Central and has ceased operations in this group of businesses in Thailand since March 2023 due to changing business policies.
At the same time in 2020, it acquired 100% of Family Mart shares to support the expansion of the convenience store business. And expand the retail business in Thailand in a complete way Currently, Family Mart has about 448 branches opened in Thailand.
Including in the same year 2020, he bought the business of Hold Co., Ltd. (COL), the parent company of OfficeMate (OfficeMate), a convenience store for office supplies and business products, and B2S (B2S), a bookstore. A total value of more than 1.21 billion baht, with the aim of expanding the retail business to cover more. Currently, OfficeMate has 125 branches in Thailand.
Later, in 2021, Siam Future Development Public Company Limited or SF bought Mega Bangna shopping mall, which is a shopping mall with an area of 5.77 hundred thousand square meters. The investment value is over 2.5 billion baht in order to expand business opportunities in the future. Including in the same year Invested in shares in Grab (Grab), a large start-up company in Thailand, with an investment budget of 4,500 million baht, with a 40% stake to further expand the business into digital.
Foreign investment began in 2011
Central Group has begun to make history as the retail capital of Thailand investing abroad. by the official invasion of Europe Starting in 2011, the acquisition of a luxury department store in Italy “La Rinascente”, which is over 150 years old, is the first business in Europe. With an investment of 260 million euros, or about 1.10 billion baht, later in 2013 he acquired a luxury department store in Denmark. “Illum Department Store” (ILLUM) is a famous 120 year old department store.
Expand Vietnam, a second home for retail business
Another destination for Vietnam The Central Group has announced plans to become an important market to expand its business from now on. By starting the establishment of the company in 2011, later in 2013, he opened the first Super Sports store in Hanoi. and electrical equipment in Vietnam to buy shares of Big C All in Vietnam is worth about 920 million euros.
During that time, Big C had 43 stores in Vietnam as part of its strategy to strengthen its shopping center business in Asia. A new retail brand called Go (GO!) replaces Big C as a brand launch new to expand the new. retail market in the region.
Cigna Group is investing in 3 mega deals in Europe
In 2015, there was a collaboration with Cigna Group, an Austrian real estate company. Acquired 3 luxury department stores in Germany through the acquisition of KaDeWe, KaDeWe, Alsterhaus and Oberpol. (Oberpillinger)
Later in 2020, it entered into a joint venture with Cigna to acquire “Globus” (Globus), a luxury department store in Switzerland. It is 129 years old, has 10 branches, is worth more than 1 billion Swiss francs, or about 3.1 billion baht.
After the year 2022, he once again collaborated with the Cigna group. Acquired “Selfridges” worth 180 billion baht, with a total of 18 department stores in England, Ireland and the Netherlands under 4 brands in 3 countries.
In total, around 14 large-scale initial agreements aim to become a fully global brand ready to play in the luxury and real estate business in the world market together
Currently, the Central Capital Group Therefore, it has a lot of strength in the retail business in the Thai market and in the world market, becoming a full multinational capital. ready to pin the name “Central” across the world
must follow! business deals from Giants Central Group in the global retail market Which country will be pinned next?
