Mr.Kachorndej Wongsakda, Chairman of Unique Trading (Thailand) ownership, one of dominant players in brand name footwear distribution such as D’arte, Maria Pia, Biosoft, Rotelli and Torresin, said the company was founded in 1983 with 40 million Baht register capital. With annual sales around 1.5 million pairs, the company is expected the growth in sales by 20% this year and planned to open 100 D’arte outlets by 2011. The company has had its reputation in growth leadership position in quality footwear market through leading department stores, hypermarket nationwide. The company has opened its own D’arte shops to further footwear distribution channel. Having opened 15 D’arte stores, the company intends to bring its total number of stores to 100 by 2011 to reach customers nationwide.
Since the establishment, the company nowadays has nearly grown 20%-30% each year. Besides own-brand such as D’arte, Maria Pia and importing quality footwear, we also ensure innovation and success by supporting innovative development for our business partners. For example, we assumed additional responsibility for innovation success in Thailand and export under their brands to France, Italy, USA and neighbor countries in Asia which is valued around 20% from overall sales.
Ms.Uthaiwan Theeravachirakul,Managing Director of Unique Trading (Thailand) Company Limited added company will spend the total of 20 million Baht to launch a series of events and activities to drive sales. We will invite Thai public to join in celebrating by a series of exclusive fashion shows throughout 4 regions which will be held at Siam Paragon in Bangkok, Robinson in Had Yai, Robinson in Chiang Mai and Fairy Plaza in Khon Kaen. Apart from the series show, the ‘Buy One Get One Free’ campaign will be monthly organized for 3-consecutive days until the end of November. Beyond the sales promotion, the fully-integrated campaign will be conducted includes newspaper and radio advertising, public relations for our customers. We expect to increase 30% sales growth within this promotional period.
Mr.Pravit Chitnarapong managing director Black Canyon (Thailand) Co Ltd, forecasts that expansion in Indonesia will enable it to establish itself as an international chain. The company plan to become a global coffee chain is about 25% complete now, sooner than expected. Black Canyon domestically and now was expanding the company rapidly in Indonesia and also selling franchises in Singapore and Malaysia.
Mr Pravit estimates the value of Black Canyon at around one billion baht. The company operates 180 Black Canyon outlets in Thailand and 27 in international markets _ including 12 in Indonesia, one of the world's top five coffee growers. He gave the reasons for this success as 6 Ps _ product, price, place, promotion, people and partner _ and added that Indonesia was the case study for Black Canyon in international markets. He said in Indonesia a Black Canyon business could break even within one or two years, despite heavy competition from several other coffee chains.
Outside Indonesia, Black Canyon plans to open three overseas outlets over the next 12 months. One would be in Singapore and two in Dubai. To fullfil his plan of creating a global coffee chain, The company would also be moving into new markets including India, China, Vietnam and the Philippines in the near future.In Thailand, the company will continue to expand its business despite economic uncertainty.
Black Canyon expects to add 10 branches in Thailand this year to bring its total to 190. About 45% of its branches are run by franchisees and 55% are its own investments. The company expects its sales this year to grow by 15% to 1.2 billion baht.
Thaviseuth Phouthavong vice president Blue Elephant International, the operator of the renowned Thai finedining restaurants and cooking school, said the company expects its worldwide performance this year to show the lowest sales growth rate in 15 years at 5 per cent, giving revenue of Bt1.2 billion, due to the sluggish economic situation worldwide.Average normal growth rate is 10 per cent at least.
The company, established 28 years ago, has 12 restaurants worldwide. Those in Europe and the US have witnessed obvious economic slowdown while economic performance in Asia is still impressive.Early this year Blue Elephant opened a branch in Indonesia, investing $2 million. It was harder to increase revenue as a whole than during normal economic conditions, so cost control and careful analysis of profit and loss at all branches were necessary.Its branch in Thailand has also seen a slight decrease in revenue, especially early this month, when customers decreased from 100 to 80 a day. However, spending per person since early this year has increased to Bt1,800 from Bt1,650 last year.
