Three years after its inception, Central Pattana Plc (CPN) has seen its CPNlead programme provide training and support to 120 businesses, giving them a chance to sell products at CPN stores.
CPN partnered with Thammasat University to develop an intensive retail course with opportunities for entrepreneurs to test the market and expand their business. CPN said 50% of participants have grown and expanded their business with its branches.
Forty young entrepreneurs participated this year, giving them the opportunity to expand their business and design new products, said Preecha Ekkunagul, chief executive of CPN.
The scheme has helped brands such as Kiss Me Doll, a Thai scarf brand; Klandth, a Korean fashion store; and Zleep Sleep, a bedding brand.
"A 40-year veteran of the retail business, we have created opportunities and developed spaces for retail and other services to offer new experiences to customers,as well as generated prosperity for local communities," Mr Preecha said. "Moreover, we have supported many businesses that led to a successful expansion with CPN, as well as bringing in new ideas and products."
On completion of the course, CPN has support programmes offering business collaboration. The company sees the potential of co-creation between CPN and smaller brands.
"We also want to facilitate knowledge exchange, collaboration and ideas that can be further developed and applied to grow strong businesses," Mr Preecha said.
Apart from CPNlead, CPN has a Startup Market scheme in which the company provides space in 25 CPN malls for entrepreneurs to test products and gain market insights. Startup Festival helps local entrepreneurs test their business across the region.
"We hope our support and the emergence of new business will encourage young entrepreneurs to succeed in their business operations and enable them to grow and move forward together with us in the future," Mr Preecha said.