TCentral Group of Thailand's richest billionaire has just surpassed a series of major competitors in the retail sector to own Big C Vietnam with a transaction value of about 1.04 billion USD, equivalent to 23,300 billion VND.

However, before buying Big C Vietnam, this Group had made many deals in the retail industry. Up to now, Central Group's business activities have developed quite diversely from electronics, sports, fashion and shopping malls. In Vietnam, the Group has more than 6,600 employees working in 100 stores with different retail models.

Big C Vietnam - A new recruit has just joined the 'big family' Central Group.

Central Group was founded in 1927 and is currently active in real estate, shops, retail, hotels and restaurants. The Group's largest asset is Central Retail - one of the largest retail groups in Thailand, owning shopping malls such as Central, Robinson, Zen, La Rinascente (Italy).

Central Group Vietnam was established in July 2011 after Mr. Chirativat - Chairman of Central Group commented: "Vietnam has become a promising target market for retail investors".

Fashion industry

The fashion sector of Central Group Vietnam currently owns nearly 60 shopping centers and stores. The Group's four major shopping centers are Robin and Mark & ​​Spencer in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, targeting young consumers with diverse lifestyle needs.

Mark & ​​Spencer Hanoi, a fashion retail brand also owned by Central Group.

The main products here include fashion for all audiences along with household items, cosmetics, perfumes, handbags... These centers focus on many high-end brands from countries around the world, of which Thai products account for a large quantity.

In addition, the Group also has 27 sports stores (SuperSports, Crocs, New Balance, Speedo) and 30 fashion stores with many Asian and European brands.

Electronics and e-commerce industry

In early 2015, Central Group announced the acquisition of 49% of shares of NKT New Technology and Solution Development Investment Company (NKT) - the owner of Nguyen Kim Trading Company. Although the transaction value was not disclosed, after this deal, Central officially entered the electronics and e-commerce sectors, which are the two main activities of this company.

Nguyen Kim was established in 2001, currently has 22 electronics supermarkets and is one of the leading retailers in Vietnam. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014, the company achieved sales of more than VND8,400 billion, net profit of VND352 billion.

After Central Group purchased the above shares, Nguyen Kim set a goal of having more than 50 stores nationwide by 2019.

Rural retail supermarkets

In addition to the projects and deals already announced, Central Group recently announced that since the end of last year it has welcomed a new strategic partner, Lan Chi Company. This is a retail unit focusing on an untapped market, aiming to serve people in rural areas in Northern Vietnam.

Lan Chi Company was established in 1995, starting as a small and medium enterprise, distributing consumer goods in the West of Hanoi. Lan Chi currently has a fast-moving consumer goods distribution channel and 13 supermarkets in the suburbs.

In addition to its large retail system, Central Group Vietnam currently also has Centara Resort Management Group with the high-end Centara Sandy Beach Resort Danang with 118 rooms.

Centara Sandy Beach Resort Danang - a luxurious highlight in Central Group's 'chessboard' in Vietnam.

It can be said that with the acquisition of Big C Vietnam, Central Group's distribution system has developed widely from urban to rural areas, from fashion, consumer goods to electronics...

With this deal, many experts are also concerned that Thai goods will flood supermarkets in the system, and at the same time, Vietnamese goods will gradually lose opportunities and may lose right at home.

According to Vn Express