Thai retail plays key role in rebound

Thailand’s retail industry is expected to grow by 5-10 percent this year from THB1.55 trillion (USD47.6 billion) last year as local consumption recovers.

Suwit Kingkaew, a senior vice-president of CP All Plc, operator of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain, yesterday said local consumption was improving, and the momentum was expected to continue throughout 2015.

Retail growth this year will come partly from greater exports to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Last year GDP in those countries grew by 7-8%, while Thai exports to them rose by 14-18%.