Tesco to Up imports from Thailand to Bt13.5 bn
Tesco to Up Imports from Thailand to Bt13.5 bn
UK-based Tesco is to increase its import of Thai products to Bt13.5 billion this year to supply to outlets in Britain and worldwide, expanding opportunities for Thai farmers and producers.
The company also plans to set up at least 300 new stores in Thailand this year.
According to its CEO, the projected imports worth Bt13.5 billion from Thailand to the UK this year; major products would be shrimp and fresh and processed fruits.
Last year, the company imported Bt12.5 billion worth of Thai products to Britain.
After the European Union allows import of fresh chicken from Thailand this July, Tesco was expected to import more Thai poultry to its outlets this year.
To promote the sale of Thai fruits in Britain, Tesco in cooperation with the International Trade Promotion Department of the Thai Commerce Ministry has organized the "Taste of Thailand" promotion at its stores every year.
Thailand had high potential as a source of fresh and high-quality produce. Tesco imports foods and products from Thailand not only to serve its customers in the UK market, but also 13 other markets across Asia and Central Europe.
“Tesco says it plans to set up 250 Express outlets, 50 supermarkets, and 10 Extra and hypermarkets in Thailand this year. It will need to employ at least 4,400 new staff to serve its expansion.
Currently, Tesco employs 38,395 people in Thailand. It now has 1,093 outlets in the country.”, according to its CEO.
Tesco is also considering opening an online shopping business in Thailand for the first time in ASEAN in the next three years to serve the strong growth of the retail industry in the Kingdom.
"Online business has experienced strong growth of 10-20 per cent a year as the behaviour of customer changed, while customers want to save fuel and time by choosing online shopping,"
Today, Tesco online serves more than 25,000 customers a day in London. Online services also have more products than normal shops: Tesco offers about 125,000 stock-keeping units for customers who shop online.
Source: The Nation
