Bangkok, December 21, 2023 - Thaiwatsadu, a leading provider of construction materials and home furnishing products operating under the corporate identity of CRC Thaiwatsadu Company Limited, a subsidiary of Central Retail, has demonstrated strong performance with the opening of 14 new branches in 2023. This marked the highest number of branch expansions in a single year for the company. Emphasizing three key strategies, Thaiwatsadu has evolved beyond a conventional retail outlet for construction materials and home furnishings. The company is committed to serving as a role model as the first sustainable retail organization in Asia. The culmination of a successful year is marked by the opening of the 'Thaiwatsadu Yasothon Branch,' the 79th branch in the country.

Suthisarn Chirathivat, CEO of CRC Thaiwatsadu Company Limited, a subsidiary of Central Retail, has expressed that in 2023, Thaiwatsadu has intensified its branch expansion efforts to encompass a broader geographical reach, aligning with the increasing demand for construction materials and home furnishing products. This strategic move is encouraged by the recovery of the tourism sector and government policies aimed at stimulating the economy.

“This year, Thaiwatsadu achieved significant expansion with the successful opening of 14 branches. These include Thaiwatsadu x BnB home Rangsit Khlong 4; Thaiwatsadu Korat Hua Thale; Thaiwatsadu x BnB home Phuket Chalong; Thaiwatsadu Kamphaeng Phet; Thaiwatsadu Chainat; Thaiwatsadu x BnB home Mueang Ake; Thaiwatsadu Loei; Thaiwatsadu x BnB home Samut Prakan; Thaiwatsadu x BnB home Chiang Mai San Sai; Thaiwatsadu x BnB home Bang Yai, Thaiwatsadu Sisaket, Thaiwatsadu x BnB home Nakhon In Branch, Thaiwatsadu Nakhon Sawan Branch, and Thaiwatsadu Yasothon Branch. Presently, Thaiwatsadu operates a nationwide network of 79 branches, encompassing all Thaiwatsadu models. This includes the Red Format, representing the standard Thaiwatsadu format, and the White Format, an innovative business model that strategically blends the strengths of Thaiwatsadu and BnB home. It offers a comprehensive array of construction materials and home furnishing items.”

According to Suthisarn, whenever Thaiwatsadu expands its branch network, it adheres to three strategic pillars aimed at elevating the retail business across various dimensions. These strategies are as follows:

Comprehensive Selection of Housing Products and Solutions: Affordable and Dependable Quality

In each branch expansion, Thaiwatsadu remains steadfast in upholding the slogan 'Complete. Affordable. Dependable.' with the goal of establishing Thaiwatsadu as a comprehensive home center in every branch and format. With a portfolio of over 40,000 products and services, the company ensures the availability of quality offerings across a range of price points, catering to the diverse needs of customers from various segments, be it contractors, mechanics, or homeowners.

Exemplary Retail Leader in Sustainability Practices

Thaiwatsadu aligns itself with Central Retail's commitment to the principles of Green & Sustainable Retail, aspiring to serve as an exemplary retail organization for sustainability in Asia. The company is dedicated to integrating environmental policies throughout its business operations, extending the focus from upstream to downstream processes.

In each of its branches, Thaiwatsadu has installed solar roofs and demonstrated pioneering efforts in adopting clean energy. The company is at the forefront of introducing electric trucks, powered entirely by electricity, to transport goods from warehouses to multiple branches nationwide. Despite being a substantial investment, when viewed over the long term, this policy stands as a strategic initiative fostering sustainability for both the organization and the environment. In 2023 alone, this resulted in a reduction of diesel consumption by 180,000 liters. Additionally, it helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 494 tons.

As Thaiwatsadu expanded its branches in the year 2023, the company actively collaborates with joint ventures and business partners to facilitate donations to hospitals and social agencies within local communities. This initiative aims to strengthen medical capabilities in the community, with a total donation exceeding 1 million baht. These charitable efforts align seamlessly with the retail organization's sustainability objectives.

Boosting the Local Economy

In Thaiwatsadu's branch expansion efforts this year, the company goes beyond extending its business reach by actively contributing to the creation of a circular economy within the communities it serves. Thaiwatsadu is employing over 4,200 individuals in the areas where it operates. Furthermore, it places a significant emphasis on supporting local entrepreneurs in the community by providing additional avenues for product distribution. Through collaborations with government agencies, Thaiwatsadu allocates space in front of its outlets to facilitate local vendors in the community to distribute their products, offering this service free of charge.

Suthisarn also said, "In addition to addressing the evolving needs of the Thai people through branch expansion, this year, our focus extends to enlarging the footprint of the largest distribution center within the Central Group, such as the Wang Noi Warehouse in Ayutthaya Province. Spanning an area of over 180,000 square meters, this facility is equipped to accommodate a diverse range of products from our business partners, amounting to 42,000 SKUs. It serves as a hub for the distribution of products to all Thaiwatsadu branches and other affiliated businesses, including BnB home and go! WOW."

Throughout this year, Thaiwatsadu has attempted to integrate diverse lifestyle requirements, aiming to offer holistic solutions to its customers. In various locations, it has collaborated with BnB home to provide a comprehensive range of home furnishing products, and AUTO1 to serve as a comprehensive car service center. AUTO1 now provides adept car care services, facilitated by skilled technicians utilizing modern technology. Furthermore, it has introduced the 'vFIX' service to ensure a wide range of home services, delivered by a team of proficient technicians, covering areas such as additions, improvements, installations, site surveys, and more. Thaiwatsadu has also successfully catered to the preferences of the new generation by incorporating online channels that enable quick product orders and inquiries across all platforms. In 2024, people across Thailand will persistently enjoy these seamless experiences from the Thaiwatsadu retail network.

“In our final expansion for the year, Thaiwatsadu has revisited the Northeastern region with the unveiling of the "Thaiwatsadu Yasothon Branch." This expansion comes with an investment budget exceeding 340 million baht. The strategically chosen location for this branch is at the Saladaeng bypass intersection, situated along Chaeng Sanit Road in Tad Thong Subdistrict, Mueang District. Spanning across an expansive 16,000 square meters, the newly established Yasothon Branch features a wide array of offerings, including construction materials, hardware equipment, mechanic tools, electrical supplies, agricultural products, tiles, sanitary ware, as well as furniture and home decoration items. With this extensive range, we are confident in our ability to effectively fulfill the demands for hardline products from a substantial population exceeding 100,000 individuals in the immediate area and its surroundings,” said Suthisarn.