Big Camera yesterday announced the roll-out of its biggest event – “Big Camera Big Pro Days 2016” – which is expected to provide a substantial sales boost in the second half of the year.

Costing more than Bt10 million, the campaign will be held from August 30 to September 4 at CentralWorld shopping complex.

More than 20 brands will showcase their digital cameras and imaging devices, occupying a total space of more than 1,000 square metres.

The campaign will offer special discount promotions of up to 60 per cent to customers.

Tanasit Thienkanjanawong, managing director of Big Camera Corp, said the company expected the value of the domestic digital-camera market this year to rise by 20 per cent from last year’s level, when Bt6.1 billion was generated.

Increased business is seen especially in the segment of interchangeable-lens cameras – or mirrorless cameras – for which dramatic year-on-year growth of 38 per cent is anticipated, he said.

However, there has been a decline in the sales of digital single-lens reflex cameras, while the compact-camera segment has been flat, he added.

“We operate 220 Big Camera stores in the Kingdom. We have already opened seven new stores so far this year, and three more will be opened by the year’s end,” the MD said.

The listed company will allocate an investment budget of between Bt50 million and Bt70 million every year on opening new stores and renovating existing outlets, while it has no urgent plans to expand its retail network beyond Thailand, he said.

“Today’s consumer lifestyles are changing in preference of the image quality provided by |mirrorless cameras, which is superior to that offered by smart phones, plus a wide price |range. In addition, camera manufacturers have come up with products that better capture the lifestyle of consumers, such as those who love posing for aselfie, women, teens, tourists and athletes,” he explained.

Domestic tourism

Tanasit said the government’s policy to promote domestic tourism had contributed to the greater demand for cameras, while the camera market’s growth also drove the market for accessories, such as bags, cases and printing technology.

These various positive factors have in turn contributed to the growth of Big Camera, which is the market leader for digital cameras and the provision of imaging solutions, he said.

The company is therefore fully geared to implementing aggressive marketing plans in order to boost sales over the remainder of the year.

Chitchai Thienkanjanawong, chief commercial officer of Big Camera, said: “Big Camera is the first to have applied the event-marketing strategy with the digital-camera market since 2007, and has enjoyed the success for over 10 years.

“The achievement has derived from several factors: for example, our event brings together more than 20 brands; each brand employs the event as its platform to launch new products and debut new inventions; the manufacturers also provide heavy promotions; and leading banks are eager to give special offers. These factors have engaged digital-camera lovers to keep an eye open for the event.”