Central Pattana Plc, Central Retail Corporation Plc and Centara Hotels and Resorts have joined forces with J. Front Retailing, a leading retailer in Japan.
The companies signed an agreement for joint R&D to upgrade their retail business and develop and create new opportunities for Thai and Japanese retail businesses. The pilot programme consists of exchanging special privileges for “The1 Exclusive customers” in Thailand and “Gaisyo VIP” customers in Japan.
In addition, Central Retail, Centara Hotels and Resorts, and The1 plan to promote tourism and a cultural exchange between Thailand and Japan in the future, emphasising soft power such as food, products, services, arts and culture through Central Pattana’s malls and department stores under J. Front Retailing.
“We believe this joint R&D synergy will strengthen the retail business network between Thailand and Japan to co-develop excellent businesses that offer superior products and services together. This will help to increase competitiveness and create more opportunities in the future, as well as help stimulate the economy and tourism between Thailand and Japan,” said Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, executive vice-president of marketing for Central Pattana.
“We initiated a pilot programme of exchange privileges for The1 Exclusive customers who visit Daimaru Shinsaibashi department store in Osaka, and for Gaisyo VIP customers who visit CentralWorld, to receive special privileges, discounts on products and services from participating stores at CentralWorld, and special privileges from Central Retail and Centara Hotels and Resorts.”
J. Front Retailing Group’s main business is Daimaru Matsuzakaya department store, operating for more than 400 years.
“With a legacy as a dry goods dealer, now we are focusing on developing and transforming our business portfolio under the vision of ‘Create and Bring to Life New Happiness’,” said Hayato Wakabayashi, managing director of J. Front Retailing.
Mr Wakabayashi said both companies will apply their expertise in retail, finance and real estate development in Japan and Thailand, as well as in the Asean region.
“We are currently providing exclusive services to VIP customers of both groups at Centara Grand Osaka Hotel and Daimaru Shinsaibashi department store starting this month,” he said.
One of the planned activities is “special experiences” in Kyoto and Hokkaido, bringing unique Japanese content to Thailand, said Mr Wakabayashi.
“For the mid- to long-term planning, we aim to elevate our cooperation through an employee exchange. We are confident that if the two company groups share the same goals, work hard together and respect each other, we will create great results,” he said.
Special privileges for Gaisyo VIP customers who visit CentralWorld include discounts from participating stores worth up to 10,000 baht, access to The Exclusive lounge, free Thai desserts, discounts for hotels and resorts under Centara Hotels and Resorts group, and discounts for dinner at Saffron Cruise in the Banyan Tree Bangkok Hotel.
Special privileges for The1 Exclusive members who visit Daimaru Shinsaibashi in Osaka include a 5% discount coupon, access to the VIP lounge, restaurant discount vouchers worth ¥2,000, and a special reservation service at Sushi Ukiyo Restaurant in the W Hotel Osaka.