Begin the new day with a breakfast of your choice. This new semester, Faimilymart invites students to try out its various dishes. It is cooperating with the Department of Internal Trade Ministry of Commerce to reduce all prices under its “Back to School” promotion. Students can enjoy upto a 50 per cent discount on more than 200 items in our stores.

Chiranun Poopat, president of Central FamilyMart , said that breakfast is an important meal; especially, for young children who are growing up because it helps with development in the body and brain for a good focus in learning.

“We would like the children to have delicious and high quality meal so that they can enjoy their daily activities. We select fresh food with lots of health benefits for a quick breakfast. We also have fresh fruit juice. Apart from the food , we also have many Japanese-style stationery for children to choose from,”

It provides discounts on more than 200 items such as milk, yogurt, health drinks along with discount unto 50 per cent. FamilyMart also offers many household items for the parents with the “7-days Promotion, Back to School” from April 30 to May 2018. The customers will also receive a redeem right from every Bt40 purchase from today to May 24 2019.

CPF cuts prices of baby shrimp, feeds to help farmers

Pairoj Apiruknusit, Senior Executive Vice President of Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc, (CPF), said that the company is participating in an effort to alleviate the suffering of shrimp farmers due to the steep decline in domestic white shrimp prices. The company has reduced the price of baby shrimps to 16 satang per shrimp from 19 satang and lowered a 25 kilogramme bag of shrimp feeds by Bt25, to help reduce the cost of farming. Both measures are effective from today until the June 30.

“CPF is aware of hardship of farmers and is committed to support them to reduce farming costs by reducing production materials costs. This aims to assist farmers to continue operating their business and help Thai shrimp industry to gradually overcome the crisis, “said Pairoj.

Ichitan brings ‘Shizuoka’ from the tea capital to Thailand

Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, known as the world’s capital of premium tea, has made a significant move into Thailand by joining up with Ichitan Group in launching “Shizuoka” – ready to drink premium tea developed by famous tea master. The new product will benefit from the growing premium tea market in the country.

“Shizuoka” is made from 100 per cent imported first flush and second flush tea tips from Shizuoka and delicately brewed according to the special recipe developed by Satoru Fujimoto, a top tea master of Shizuoka. The product will be the first and only one with the right to use the “Fujipi”, the symbol of Shizuoka, and certified by the Shizuoka Tea Export Association. The Shizuoka branded tea will be available in two flavours – Original (no sugar) and Mildly Sweet, in 440-millilitre bottle. Priced at Bt30 per bottle, the tea is available at convenient stores and leading supermarkets and retailers nationwide.

Tan Passakornnatee, president of Ichitan Group, said that although Thailand’s ready to drink tea market has slowed down in the past three years. On the contrary, the premium tea segment has experienced constant growth with the premium tea market segment valued at Bt891 million. In addition, healthy tea consumption trend among health-conscious young generation is growing, driving demand for low and no sugar tea. After the soft launch in late April, we have received very good response. We expect that marketing opportunities for Shizuoka ready-to-drink premium tea is growing continuously and hope the new product to generate Bt130 million in sales by the end of this year.

More than 15 million Tesco Lotus customers and 40 million AIS subscribers stand to benefit from this partnership, with infinite privileges and value.

Mark Roughley, customer director of Tesco Lotus, said: “Tesco Lotus is committed to serving our customers a little better every day. We strongly believe that through strategic partnerships with other industry leaders who are experts in their fields, we will be able to serve our customers’ needs better and faster. The partnership between Tesco Lotus and AIS will allow both companies to cater to all four needs of digital era customers. For products, we will be able to offer the latest handsets and accessories. For experience, customers will receive expert advice from dedicated staff.

For convenience, customers will be able to buy products and services under one roof. For value, customers will gain additional privileges from what they spend on products and services.”

Prattana Leelapanag, chief consumer business officer at AIS, said: “Today marks an important milestone of the cross-industry partnership between AIS and Tesco Lotus. AIS as the number one telecommunications company in Thailand plans to combine its telecommunications expertise to Tesco Lotus, the country’s leading retailer, whose expertise lies in a great understanding of customer shopping behaviours and nationwide reach.

The strategic partnership will allow both AIS and Tesco Lotus to offer an even better shopping experience, with a better range of products and services to serve digital era customers.

This partnership is a great opportunity for AIS to enhance services offered to its current customers and expand its products and services to customers who visit digital zones in more than 190 Tesco Lotus hypermarkets nationwide.”

The strategic partnership between Tesco Lotus and AIS is made up of two key components:

AIS will operate the Digital Zones at all 190 plus Tesco Lotus hypermarkets nationwide. The Digital Zones will offer Tesco Lotus customers an opportunity to try out and purchase the latest handsets and accessories from the world’s leading brands. They can also benefit from a wide range of services from AIS, such as purchasing SIM cards, post-paid plans, AIS Fibre net subscription, and many other packages.

Privileges for Clubcard Members and AIS post-paid Customers:

Customers activating a new number, transferring from other service providers using the same number, switching from pre-paid packages to post-paid packages, and post-paid customers, can get 48 GB of internet (2 GB per month for 2 years) and unlimited access to Line and Facebook for two years by redeeming 1,000 Clubcard points or paying Bt100, and get double Clubcard points when paying AIS monthly bill.

Get a chance to buy iPhone 5S at a special price for only Bt2,900. This privilege is available only for customers activating a new number or switching from pre-paid packages to post-paid packages who sign up for AIS Hot Deal Package worth Bt499 or above.

Get a discount for AIS 4G Share Non-Stop family package with shared internet and call for up to Bt4,800 when activating a new number, transferring from other service providers using the same number, or switching from pre-paid packages to post-paid packages.

Interested customers can apply to receive the above privileges from now until June 30th, 2018. For more information, contact AIS call centre 1175 or Tesco Lotus call centre 1712.

“The strategic partnership announced today marks the first step of several important steps to come in the future. The synergy between Tesco Lotus and AIS will allow both companies to serve our customers better. Clubcard – the largest loyalty programme in Thai retail – offers value for money to more than 15 million Tesco Lotus customers through the form of privileges such as discounts on a variety of products and services. We hope that the partnership with AIS will also extend the same privileges to AIS customers simply by joining the Clubcard family,” Roughley added.

For those who love to cook, the highlight is stamp redemption for German standard kitchen ware. This promotion campaign is expected to push up sales by 5-10 per cent.

Athapol Uraipriwan, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Communications said “Big C is Thailand’s leading retailer. We have been providing impressive products and services to our customers.

Every year, customers’response and participation campaigns increase.

To meet customers’ satisfaction, from April 26 to October 1, Big C is running a stamp collection campaign, enabling customers to exchange stamps for luxurious German standard kitchenware.

Through the stamp collection campaign. Big C is offering luxury German kitchen equipment, such as Vivo made of stainless steel; ‘Teflon’ latex coating suitable for healthy cooking, using less oil available in nine models of pots and plates of various sizes including cookware for Bt19,500 which customers can redeem starting at only Bt1.

“This year’s campaign is very special. Big C will offer a promotion that makes it easier for customers to collect stamps.

“Every purchase of Bt200 will come with a stamp of Bt1 (from the previous year Bt300 for one stamp).

“This campaign will help push purchase and frequency of shopping. It is expected that this campaign will generate 5-10 per cent growth in sales from last year’s. ”

“In addition to facilitating customers in the digital age. Customers can collect stamps via the Big Stamp application or the Line Official account @ BigC.th or the website http://www.bigc.co.th/bigcard to get free five stamps when applying.

Also, big card members will get two stamps during the campaign period on purchase of Bt900.

The rating reflects DTAC’s market position as a major mobile phone service provider in Thailand, easing concerns over spectrum constraint after DTAC signed an agreement with TOT PLC on the 2.3 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum.

It also reflects DTAC’s financial strength, backed by strong cash flow generation and sufficient liquidity. The rating is partly enhanced by the support DTAC receives from Telenor ASA.

The rating also takes into consideration DTAC’s challenging business position from intense competition in the industry and the potential deterioration of its financial profile due to the hefty capital expenditure required to ensure bandwidth capacity and network quality.

Meanwhile, TRIS Rating affirms the company rating of DTACTriNet Co Ltd (DTN) and the ratings of DTN’s senior unsecured debentures at “AA+” with a “negative” outlook.

The ratings reflect DTN’s strategic importance as a core subsidiary of Total, a leading mobile phone service provider in Thailand. They are partly enhanced by the support from Telenor ASA, DTAC’s major shareholder.

The ratings take into consideration DTN’s market position as a leading mobile phone service provider and the growth prospects for data services.

Organisers said the seminar aimed to furnish Thai SME exporters with knowledge of FX-risk-hedging tools for international trade.

Participants were granted Bt30,000 per business for use to buy FX option contracts on a trial basis from the eight commercial banks so that they may be better able to mitigate FX risks associated with international trade.

At the seminar, Pisit Serewiwattana, president of the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim), welcomed guest speakers from the Ministry of Industry, the Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (OSMEP), BOT and the Thai Bankers’ Association.

The increase was credited to high growth in the corporate customer segment in line with economic improvements and outstanding export performance.

The main drivers were borrowing requirements in the export-oriented industry, agriculture and construction.

Payments via EDC also rose 20 per cent, due mainly to Chinese tourists’ spending and expansion of Thailand’s cashless society.

KBank president Patchara Samalapa said the operations of the bank’s Corporate Business Division expanded in 1Q18 at a higher rate than expected, given the increase in large corporate customers’ requirements for loans and capital funds to finance their activities.

The division’s income totalled Bt6.371 billion, rising 5 percent over-year, and fee income stood at Bt3.117 billion, up 3 per cent YoY.

Meanwhile, total loans surged 12 per cent YoY to Bt581.58 billion, mostly driven by farm and agricultural processing industries that benefited from the healthier global economy.

Consequently, KBank’s global trade transactions also registered outstanding performance.

Other industries that exhibited outstanding growth in 1Q18 included construction and construction materials, following many government projects that are progressing.

KBank has been able to control non-performing loans in the large corporate segment within its targeted range.

KBank’s large corporate customers have also raised funds in the form of private bond issuance. In 1Q18, KBank was top of the market with the total value of issued private bond at Bt45.662 billion, equivalent to a 24 per cent of market share.

Patchara said large corporations have the same cash management costs as banks, and if such costs are reduced, their business efficiency can be enhanced substantially.

As a result, KBank has decided to develop solutions related to the cashless society to meet the needs of this customer segment. Over the years, KBank has steadily introduced new features to its EDC devices via QR codes that are capable of accommodating the Alipay and WeChat Pay apps used by Chinese tourists.

“Thanks to the satisfactory growth of business in 1Q18 and steady expansion of the cashless society in Thailand, KBank is confident of continued support for our customers according to our targets, with an overall loan growth of 6-8 per cent and a rise of fee income by 2-5 per cent,” he said.

Managing director Barom Bhicharnchitr said the Bangkok shopping complex’s customers were a diverse group.

“We want to emphasize that, at Central Embassy, we are ready to give you infinite ways of lifestyle and shopping experiences to enjoy, whether you’re a shopper, foodie, art lover, creative type, lifestyle enthusiast, family or tourist. The experiences at Central Embassy are simply designed to be infinite.”

Shoppers have a chance to win two state cabin seats on the Eastern & Oriental Express for a four-day, three-night trips to Singapore worth Bt300,000 and Hydro Pool Pavilion breaks at Rayavadee Krab for two nights (two prizes each worth Bt160,000), plus gift vouchers and credit card privileges.

“We plan to actively reach out with digital marketing that places a stronger emphasis on social networks,” Barom said. “We believe these channels will bring us closer to the new generation on a fast and continued basis. The next generation is one of our most important target groups.

“At present, Central Embassy has 190,000 followers on Facebook and more than 27,000 on Instagram, and after the launch of #INFINITEYOU, we will communicate with our target groups via online media.”

L’Oreal has acquired a 100 per cent stake in Style Nanda, marking its first acquisition of a Korean company.

The exact transaction price for the deal was not disclosed. Last month, Style Nanda’s CEO and founder Kim So-hee initially planned to sell off 70 per cent of the company’s shares for $37 billion and keep a 30 per cent stake, but later changed her mind.

Kim started Style Nanda as an online fashion mall business in 2005, when she was 22. She sold clothes bought from the Dongdaemun fashion wholesale market. The company’s unique style and quirky marketing quickly boosted its business.

In 2009, the company launched its own cosmetics brand 3CE, which now accounts for most of its revenue with over 500 products which are popular in China.

Style Nanda raked in $152 million in sales last year, with 70 per cent coming from 3CE.

L’Oreal said it aims to expand sales of 3CE globally through the acquisition.

“Style Nanda encapsulates Korean style’s ambience, edge and creativity, which can appeal to Millennials not only in Asia but globally,” said Alexis Perakis-Valat, president of L’Oreal’s consumer production division.

“L’Oreal is proud to have the group’s first Korean beauty brand and be able to bring Korean beauty and style to the rest of the world,” said Yann Le Bourdon, president of L’Oreal Korea.