Berli Jucker Plc (BJC), a consumer goods trading firm under TCC Group and the owner of Big C Supercenter Plc, plans to spend at least 10 billion baht this year to expand its retail business both in the domestic and neighbouring markets.
Aswin Techajareonvikul, the company's chief executive, said the investment will go mainly to open 10 new Big C stores across the country and renovate a dozen existing stores for more modern and better service.
Since the first quarter this year, the company has opened three new Big C stores: two in Sakon Nakhon province and one in Chon Buri.
The renovation of Big C Ratchadamri is also due to be completed next month.
Mr Aswin said Berli Jucker will focus on opening new stores upcountry, particularly in second-tier provinces that have never had a Big C store. Each store will require an investment of 200-300 million baht.
The company has extended its service hours at Big C stores in tourist destinations by four hours, staying open from 9am to 2am. For plaza areas, service hours remain unchanged.
Big C already extended its service hours at stores on Ratchadamri and Ratchadaphisek roads and at two stores in Phuket.
Apart from Big C at home, the company plans to spend 400-600 million baht to open one or two MM Mega Market stores in Vietnam over the next two years, bringing the total to 21 branches.
In addition, the company expects to open a Big C hypermarket in Poipet and have 10 Big C stores in Cambodia over the next five years. It wants to open one Big C in Laos.
The company reported 164.22 billion baht in total revenue last year, up 19.2% from 2016, with net profit of 5.21 billion baht, up 30.2%.
Mr Aswin said consumer spending power has gradually rebounded and all business sectors under BJC, including retail and production, have improved.
BJC shares closed Friday on the SET at 60.75 baht, down 75 satang, in trade worth 316 million baht.