Bangkok--31 Oct--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Big C alliance led a group of businesspeople from eight nations to visit the BIG & BIH 2006 (Bangkok International Gifts & Bangkok International Houseware) Fair. Following a signing agreement with the Thai government to directly buy Thai products for sale in Europe, orders will commence in early-2007.
According to Ms Jariya Chirathivat, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Big C Supercenter plc, “Last week, the Casino Group led a group of businesspeople from leading hypermarts and supermarkets in eight nations in Europe and South America, such as Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, France, etc. to visit the BIG & BIH Fair, which was held at Challenger Building, Muang Thong Thani between October 17-22, 2006. These distinguished guests explored the event, met and had discussions with Thai manufacturers and selected the products for sale in their own markets.
“These business members were very appreciative of Thai producers as Thai products are uniquely styled and of high quality. This visit allowed them to explore a diverse array of Thai products. Earlier, they viewed only the samples of Thai products sent directly to them. But at the fair, they saw and were satisfied with the Thai products especially SMEs, most of which are hand made and full of chic ideas. The products that received the greatest interest from these businesspeople included ceramic products including tableware; plastic products including houseware, food storage boxes; stationery including notepads, paper boxes, photo frames and accessories such as hand made aromatic candles, chic gardening tool sets and woven fabrics for household use,” said Ms Jariya.
The participating business members also joined the “How to Order Houseware workshop in Bangkok during October 24-25, 2006 where they commented on product trends, designs, colors and quality and order prospects. This data will be of great benefit to Thai operators for further production that suits customer demands in particular international markets.
“This marks the first time that the Casino Group and Thailand have reached an agreement to establish a product distribution and purchase company for further sales in leading hypermarts under the Casino Group network including its modern trade stores in Paris. The orders made directly with producers provide convenience and potentially a large volume of purchases. The Casino Group sees strong potential for Thailand as a prime manufacturing source of diverse products.
Thai products are of high quality, diverse and inexpensive. The Casino Group also plans to order Thai products for further sales via its chain stores starting from 2007 in accordance with its agreement with the Thai government. Big C is ready to extend cooperation and support for Thai exports into the global markets,” concluded Ms Jariya.
In September 2006, Big C and the Casino Group brought Thai products into France through big sales promotion events themed “Thai Foods and Products Festival”, held at the Casino Group’s 14 leading hypermarts and supermarkets in Paris and Lyon. The Thai products, especially OTOPs and Pu Fah, have received favorable responses from locals as they are unique and not mass-produced items. The Casino Group will make another large order that will coincide with a sales promotion event in France in April 2007.
For the past eight months (January — August 2006), Thai exports delivered by Big C and the Casino Group to Europe, South America and Middle East totaled US$ 5.2 million or 197.66 million baht.
Big C Supercenter PCL (BIGC), founded in 1993, is a retail consumer goods trade operator trading under the name of Big C Supercenter. It offers a wide variety of products at the most competitive prices under the slogan “More Than Just Low Prices” to maximize the highest value for customers at its 47 stores nationwide. For further information about Big C Supercenter, visit our Web site at www.bigc.co.th .
For further information, please contact:
Waraporn or Barakorn
Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Tel. 0 2252 9871
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net