Mr. Yves Bernard Braibant, Chief Executive Officer & President, Big C Supercenter PLC, said that Big C is pleased with its results for Q3/08, in which the operating results for Big C Supercenter PLC and its subsidiaries reflected net sales of 16,943 million baht, or an increase of 12.1%, while its net profit of 568 million baht represented an increase of 15.2% over the same period of last year. These are good results that were obtained in a difficult economic situation and at a time when natural disasters have affected many communities.
“Increased net sales and net profit demonstrate the success of our Q3 marketing campaigns and promotions, particularly the ‘Big C 15 Cars Giveaway’ for our anniversary celebration and our giveaway of discount vouchers to customers every month, resulting in an approximately 25% increase in shopping by more customers. Big C also launched the Shop Call Free with True Move campaign, which is a one-to-one marketing initiative that has yielded an outstanding response from our customers, reflected in the 334% increase in purchases made by our Shop Call Free members from last year,” said Braibant.
In addition, the three new stores that opened in Q3, including Navanakorn, Rangsit Klong 6 and Yasothorn, supported sales and rental income growth. Rental and Service Income from tenants for Q3/08 was 840 million baht, which represents an increase of 166 million baht, or 24.7%, over the same period last year due to the new store expansion.
For Q4/08, Big C will continue its new store expansion as planned. Big C opened its Sakaew, Varinchamrab and Mahasarakam stores, which are compact and include a rental plaza, in October and early November 2008 with a budget of about 1,200 million baht. The stores have been well received by local consumers. Currently,
Big C has 66 stores nationwide.
Big C now has over 15,000 staff and pays over 5,000 million baht in local salaries. To date, Big C has paid local taxes totaling 8,000 million baht. Big C also supports community activities including providing, at no cost, a sales area in its stores for “One Tambon, One Product” (OTOP) products.
“We believe Q4/08 will be the best of the year as there are key holidays and local consumer buying power will increase due to high prices for agricultural products.
Big C is focusing on marketing activities and promotions that meet consumer lifestyles as well as a price strategy that will help consumers with low and specially-priced products and house brand products. We expect our 2008 revenue will be in line, if not above, with last year’s as targeted,” concluded Braibant.
For further information, please contact:
Satida Sritunyathorn or Hongsinunt Somboonwanna
Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Tel. 0 2252 9871