Thailand’s Central Group has launched its first B2S stationery and office supplies store in Vietnam, near nine universities and four industrial parks in Ho Chi Minh City.
B2S Vietnam CEO Nguyen Thi Thuc Vy says the company plans another 30 outlets across the nation over the next five years.
Its initial 900 sqm outlet offers about 6000 products including office furniture, computers, printers, stationery, cards and entertainment materials. About 80 percent of the goods are imported.
Vietnam’s stationery market is valued at about VND4 trillion (US$175 million) annually and has had an average growth of about 10 percent a year since 2014. Viet Capital Securities says this has been helped by a large, young population; increasing demand for educational services and products; and consumers more inclined to pay for quality.
Ho Chi Minh City already has more than 1500 family-owned stationery stores. Some of the larger ones are incorporated into bookstores. Based on the 60 stores in its home market, the Thai model offers a broader range as well as innovations like online service and free delivery.
Central Group entered the country of 93 million in 2011 and has seen rapid expansion through acquisitions, franchises, and JVs. It paid €1 billion last year to France’s Casino Group for the Big C supermarket business in Vietnam. Central plans to double the Big C chain from 34 outlets and to develop 13 larger commercial complexes by 2021.
Central also acquired 49 per cent of the electronics retailer Nguyen Kim, along with e-commerce platform Zalora Vietnam.
Source: Inside Retail Asia
VF Franchise Consulting, Asia’s leading franchising and licensing consulting company, assists leading international franchises from the US, Australia, and Asia enter Southeast Asia.
Visit VF Franchise Consulting at Booth 3068 at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from July 13 to 16, 2017.
One on one confidential meetings can be reserved by contacting Stefan Grbovac of VF Franchise Consulting on +841645835132 or stefan@
