Jaymart Mobile, the handset distribution arm of SET-listed Jay Mart, has launched a new retail store model, called "Digital Cafe", featuring a convergence of cafe and IT retail as a lifestyle destination.
"Digital Cafe blends Casa Lapin coffee shop by Jaymart with the IT store to bring a new life experience to consumers," said Narathip Wirunechatapant, chief executive of Jaymart Mobile.
At Digital Cafe, 80% of products are IT gadgets and 20% mobile devices. The display highlights gadgets from various vendors, rather than a set of products from the same vendors.
"This new retail channel targets medium- and high-end users in the new digital lifestyle with coffee and gadgets," said Mr Narathip, adding the sale of coffee at the store is a marketing ploy to attract traffic.
Digital Cafe shops have been launched at Siam Square Soi 3, Fashion Island and the Mall Lifestore Thapra.
"The country is now facing the Omicron outbreak but the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to ease by the end of this year. So this shop is for future investment," said Mr Narathip.
Digital Cafe also accepts cryptocurrencies such as JFin, Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, XLM, Bitkub coin and Tether for purchases.
Ten Digital Cafe branches are expected to operate by the end of this year.
Jaymart Digital Cafe shops have been launched at Siam Square Soi 3, Fashion Island and the Mall Thapra.
Mr Narathip said Jaymart shops have expanded the product offering, such as tablets and notebooks, to capture the rising demand for IT products due to remote work and online learning. Gaming devices are also available.
Supply shortage of IT items is expected to continue to the middle of this year.
"We position ourselves like a megastore gathering IT gadgets, mobile devices and consumer electronics that serve users' digital lifestyle either through physical or online channels," said Mr Narathip.
Although Jaymart has just engaged in notebook sales, it has a strong team of its subsidiary Singer, which provides hire purchase service to support sales.
The Singer team has proven its capability with 100 million baht in sales of smartphones per month, said Mr Narathip, adding the firm is ready to expand its reach to other products.
Jaymart is now partnering with 10 dealers of consumer electronics. He said various IT product makers are tapping into consumer electronics products, such as Huawei, which has now engaged in the production of smart TVs.
In August last year, Jay Mart announced its partnership deal with BTS Group Holdings. After the deal is completed, VGI Plc and U City Plc, both subsidiaries of BTS will hold 15% and 9%, respectively, of Jay Mart's total shares.
VGI is an advertising, payment and logistics firm, while U City is involved in real estate development for lease, service, sales and management.
Jaymart Mobile can sell IT products via the VGI platform with service points located at BTS stations as well as capitalise on the advertising media and transport service network of VGI.
Meanwhile, VGI, through Fanslink, can expand its electronics appliance distribution channel through Jaymart retail spaces. Jaymart stores can be used as a drop point for Kerry, which is 18% owned by VGI.
