Berli Jucker Plc (BJC), the SET-listed trading firm, plans to expand its retail businesses by launching drug and health stores, convenience stores and premium warehouses this year.
Senior vice-president Sujittra Vichayasuek said it will open drug and health stores in Bangkok by next month.
The stores will be located in high-end shopping malls and office buildings, offering unique services such as health checks to serve affluent customers. Eight stores are due to open this year.
"We are still looking for opportunities to open convenience stores in Vietnam and Laos, and we are in talks with potential partners there," Mrs Sujittra said.
BJC plans to open a premium warehouse in Thailand this year, with others following in Vietnam and Laos.
"Retail and international business, especially in Asean, is a focused area for us to grow. We have increased investment in Asean, where consumption is increasing rapidly, through partnerships with strong local firms or global specialists to reduce risks," said Mrs Sujittra.
The company's board recently approved a budget of 513 million baht to implement a vision merchandise system and enterprise resource planning to build up its retail backbone.
Revenue from BJC's international business contributed 15.2% or 1.57 billion baht of its revenue of 10.36 billion baht in the first quarter.
Vietnam accounts for 64% of its international sales, followed by Malaysia at 16% and Myanmar at 4%, while Laos, the Philippines, Singapore and Cambodia generate 3% each.
International business should generate 50% of revenue in the next five years, depending on acquisition deals.
Mrs Sujittra said the company is negotiating 2-3 domestic mergers and acquisitions, which are expected to be concluded this year.
In the first quarter, sales were 10.4 billion baht, up by 17.2% year-on-year and 7.7% quarter-on-quarter. Net profit was 665 million baht, up by 3.1% year-on-year and 10.6% quarter-on-quarter.
BJC's shares closed unchanged at 58 baht on the SET yesterday in trade worth 247 million baht.