• Unlocking opportunities for SMEs across all four regions to access modern trade shelves through direct engagement with our buying team, pre-launch market testing, and exclusive benefits from TOPS TONGTIN — including 15-day credit terms, waived listing fees, zero hidden charges, comprehensive end-to-end support, and pathways to international market expansion

Bangkok, 9 March 2026 – TOPS, under Central Retail, is advancing its SME platform “TOPS TONGTIN” in 2026, building on the success achieved over the past three years. In collaboration with Government Savings Bank and the Science Park of Ubon Ratchathani University, the company is hosting the event “Open House: TOPS TONGTIN – Discover the Best of Local SMEs” to accelerate the elevation of high-quality local products onto TOPS shelves nationwide. The initiative targets sales growth of over 30% by 2027. The first phase will pilot in the Southern region on 7–8 March 2026 at G Floor, Central Phuket Floresta. Interested participants can register in advance from today until 2 March 2026 via https://topstongtin.tops.co.th

Mr. Thanawat Jirajariyavej Managing Director, Central Food Retail under Central Retail, said that over the past year, the Thai economy has continued to face multiple challenges, including cautious consumer spending, rising operating costs, and intensifying competition both domestically and internationally. These factors have directly impacted small and medium sized enterprises, which serve as a key engine of the country’s economic growth. As a leader in food retail, TOPS recognizes the importance of strengthening small scale entrepreneurs not only as a form of business support, but as a foundation for long term economic resilience across the entire system. Through the “TOPS TONGTIN” initiative, we are committed to creating market opportunities, connecting networks, and enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities to enable Thai SMEs to grow sustainably and overcome challenges together.

Over the past three years, the “TOPS TONGTIN” program has continuously advanced its mission to affirm its role as a true platform of opportunity under the concept “Quality SMEs from the 4 Regions: LOCAL DISCOVERIES.” The initiative is dedicated to supporting and delivering the value and stories of high quality local products to consumers, while creating accessible and sustainable market channels for Thai entrepreneurs. Currently, the program includes more than 140 SME entrepreneurs nationwide, covering all regions of Thailand, comprising 84 from the Central region, 31 from the North, 16 from the Northeast, and 12 from the South. More than 550 products under the program are available for sale, generating sales growth of over 50%. This reflects the strong potential of Thai products to compete in the national modern trade market, as well as the confidence of participating entrepreneurs. In 2025, the initiative received an overwhelmingly positive response, particularly during the “Open House: TOPS TONGTIN” event held in the lower Northeastern region, where more than 150 entrepreneurs applied to participate and 100 were selected to enter the Business Matching process directly with TOPS’ buying team.

Mr. Brian Hill, Head of International Business and Partnership of Central Food Retail under Central Retail, said “TOPS continues to actively identify and support high potential entrepreneurs. Most recently, we have joined forces with Government Savings Bank and the Science Park of Ubon Ratchathani University to host ‘Open House: TOPS TONGTIN – Discover the Best of Local SMEs,’ aiming to accelerate SMEs’ entry into the modern trade system in a tangible way. We target expanding the number of entrepreneurs in the program to more than 200, alongside increasing the total product assortment to over 800 SKUs. This initiative is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Thai products to comprehensively meet the demands of modern retail markets. At the same time, we aim to achieve sales growth of over 30% by 2027, fostering a strong retail ecosystem that grows sustainably together with SME entrepreneurs.”

The event “Open House: TOPS TONGTIN – Discover the Best of Local SMEs” is organized to provide community enterprises and SMEs with distinctive identities, yet limited access to modern trade channels, the opportunity to enter the retail system in a tangible way. In 2026, the project adopts a proactive regional approach, granting participants priority consideration for placement in TOPS stores through one-on-one Business Matching sessions with the TOPS TONGTIN buying team. The program also includes knowledge sharing from existing project partners and the opportunity to showcase and test products through the TOPS TONGTIN Flea Market for a period of five to nine days. In addition, under partnerships with key collaborators, entrepreneurs will receive ongoing financial advisory support and assistance in expanding sales channels in their respective regions from Government Savings Bank, starting from the initial phase of the program. They will also benefit from product and packaging development consultations provided by the Science Park of Ubon Ratchathani University and its nationwide network. This comprehensive support aims to enhance entrepreneurs’ capabilities, enabling them to compete effectively and respond to market demands in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Special privileges are offered to participating entrepreneurs, including a 15 day credit term, waiver of listing fees, and ongoing marketing support. The program is further strengthened by a dedicated Quality Assurance team providing consultation on labeling and regulatory standards to ensure comprehensive readiness for entry into the modern trade system. The project is open to community enterprises, limited companies, partnerships, and individual entrepreneurs with annual revenue not exceeding 100 million baht and no more than 50 employees. Entrepreneurs who have not yet obtained FDA approval are also eligible to receive guidance and enter the standards development process immediately. The activities will be rolled out across the four main regions nationwide throughout the year, including:

• Southern Region (Phuket Province), in collaboration with the Science Park of Prince of Songkla University, on 7–8 March 2026 at G Floor, Central Phuket Floresta. Interested participants can register in advance from today until 2 March 2026.
• Northeastern Region (Khon Kaen Province), in collaboration with the Science Park of Khon Kaen University.
• Northern Region (Chiang Mai Province), in collaboration with the Science Parks of Maejo University, Mae Fah Luang University, and University of Phayao.
• Central Region (Bangkok and Metropolitan Area), in collaboration with the Science Park of Burapha University.

“We do not merely serve as a distribution channel delivering quality products to consumers nationwide. We are also a development partner committed to enhancing entrepreneurs’ capabilities, strengthening local economies, expanding trade opportunities, and elevating Thai local products to national standards. At the same time, we open doors to international markets across more than 12 countries in Asia and Europe. This represents a special privilege for SMEs under the TOPS TONGTIN program through collaborations with leading global retail partners, including FairPrice in Singapore, Robinsons Philippines, premium department stores in the United Kingdom such as Selfridges, and leading retail chains in the Middle East such as Spinneys. These partnerships enable Thai community products to step onto the global stage in a tangible way. This initiative reinforces our ‘12 Missions to Sustainable Retail’ strategy and the ‘Small Acts Together’ concept, which reflects our belief that collective action can create sustainable growth in the long term,” Mr. Brian concluded.

TOPS TONGTIN invites SME entrepreneurs and farmers across all four regions to strengthen their business potential at the event “Open House: TOPS TONGTIN – Discover the Best of Local SMEs” and seize the opportunity to fully enter the nationwide modern trade market. For more information, please visit the TOPS TONGTIN Facebook fan page. Entrepreneurs interested in applying for the TOPS TONGTIN program can find further details at https://topstongtin.tops.co.th/

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