Bangkok--5 Oct--Aziam Burson-Marsteller Big C has spent 20 million baht on the marketing of its house brand garments in the fourth quarter. It has organized a contest “Big C Model Search 2007” to look for male and female models who would show off the personality and image of house brand clothing. It would also unveil its winter collection. Ms. Jariya Chirathivat, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Big C Super Center Plc, reported that customers have welcomed Big C house brand products especially the garment brand Only @ Big C, which consists of 7 main brands and over 10 sub brands, due to on-going product development. The company has organized marketing activities until its turnover has reached the target. Towards the end of the year, Big C has adjusted its marketing strategies because the middle-end fashion market has grown with more people shopping for house band products. At the end of the year, purchasing power will increase and people will shop for gifts while it will be the tourist season, which is considered the annual fashion festival. Ms. Jariya said that for the end of this year, Big C has prepared a budget for winter marketing events at 20 million baht, to establish the brand and build brand awareness, for them to be widely remembered. The strategy of this year would reinforce the personality and identity of the brand. Apart from building brand awareness, Big C will organize the “Big C Model Search 2007” for the first time Big C will open a stage for a male and female model contest for the garments branded Only @ Big C. They will model garments by “FF:WD” casual clothes for men who like a smart look and fashionable wardrobe, female models will model “D-Line” which will be a wardrobe for working women who like fashionable clothes. Models for “The Cove” will display stylish jeans for men and women. Winners will be awarded a cash prize and be photographed for leading fashion magazines and the Big C catalogue. “Big C will focus on marketing activities, advertising and public relations to cover the fashion market and dominate the house brand market, with a hope that the total turnover of the apparel section would grow from 20% to 30% by the end of the year,” said Jariya. Ms. Chulaporn Vetchaphong, Director of Softline, Big C Super Center Plc, said that at present garments take of the space, with over 20 house brand garments. But we have focused on sales of eight principle brands, which are Modabimbi, Dondolio, Emily, FF:WD, C - Zone, the Cove and D - Line, which have become well-known by our customers, after the launch of the garments under Only @ Big C last year. Big C organized a fashion show with AF2 and AF3 artists as models for the summer and winter collections. “We have organized a fashion show for two consecutive years to reach various additional groups of customers and we have received good responses in all seasons. In the past we have organized our annual fashion shows. What is special this year is the “Big C Model Search 2007’ which will emphasize the brand concept. We will search for models who reflect the personalities of the three brands, plus run promotions in various media, such as newspapers, magazines and catalogues of winter collection. This will develop the products, build up the brands and expand the customer base to teenagers and working people.” “The winter collection this year focuses on white, black and gray tones. Combined with bright colors, such as red and bright pink. The style is still a layered look with one piece worn on top of the other, emphasizing the length of the clothes and allowing mix & matching to create new styles. This will met the demands of various groups of customers and be suitable for daily activities, whether they are for a wardrobe for working or for leisure. The most important thing is the price, which are more economical for our customers and all them to dress with more fashion.” Garments in the group of Only @ Big C, represent design and quality, ranging from small children to grown-ups consisting of: Brand Details Moda Bimbi for infants Don Dolio for boys Emily for girls FF:WD for teenage boys — casual clothes C-Zone for female teenagers, fashionable in bright colors D - Line semi-casual for working women The Cove denim or jeans in smart style for male and female of all ages 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 51 stores nationwide. For further information about Big C Supercenter, visit our Web site at www.bigc.co.th. For further information, please contact: Supaporn or Barakorn Aziam Burson-Marsteller Tel. 0 2252 9871