As the property market slows, kitchen furniture manufacturer Starmark Manufacturing wants to boost sales from retail customers by launching concrete kitchens to capitalise on rising demand during the pandemic.
Managing director Natpaphas Srisakulpinyo said demand for new kitchen furniture rose during the lockdown as many people had more free time at home.
"During the lockdown, many customers looked for new kitchen furniture, so we launched new outdoor kitchen products in July," she said.
Outdoor kitchen furniture is made from steel with powder coating for water and termite resistance. Installation takes only one day and prices start at 20,000 baht per square metre.
By the end of the third quarter, Starmark wants to launch concrete kitchen items with prices starting at 6,500 baht per sq m.
Last year the company started tapping into retail customers, with sales accounting for 30% of total sales, or 300 million baht. Retail is targeted to comprise 35% of sales this year and 40% next year.
Owing to the unfavourable property market and the negative impact from the pandemic, Starmark cut its sales target this year from 1.4 billion baht to 1.1 billion.
The company had a sales backlog of 20,000 units for delivery in the second half and next year. More than half were in the upper-end segment, or units priced more than 5 million baht.
"Some condo projects are put on hold or delayed, but many of those getting sales of 30-40% have continued," said Ms Natpaphas.
To build sales from retail customers, the company opened three new kitchen showrooms last month at Boonthavorn branches in Pin Klao, Ratchadaphisek and Kaset-Nawamin areas. Starmark also showcases at 74 HomePro branches nationwide.