Bangkok, 6 October 2026 – Mr. Suthisarn Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited (CRC), revealed that “At Central Retail, innovation creates meaningful results when people are empowered to grow alongside it. This is why people development remains a fundamental pillar of our business growth. We are committed to strengthening specialist expertise, digital capabilities and service skills, while recognising that the Human Touch—something technology cannot replace—remains at the heart of retail and wholesale. With Central Retail’s diverse business network spanning Thailand and Vietnam, we are well positioned to create employment opportunities and equip our people with diverse skills and experiences, enabling them to grow alongside the business. Through the ‘Care for the People’ pillar of our CRC Care framework, we aim to ensure that Central Retail’s people development efforts contribute to the sustainable growth of the retail and wholesale industry.”

Mrs. Panchalee Weeratammawat, Chief People Officer of Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited, added, “At Central Retail, we recognise individuals across every function as specialists, each with their own expertise, strengths and potential to grow along their chosen career path. We believe that when people take pride in their work, they can realise their full potential and translate that dedication into positive customer experiences every day.

Today, the retail and wholesale landscape is becoming increasingly complex, competitive and fast-moving, driven by technology, innovation, and evolving consumer behaviour. The key challenge facing the labour market is no longer simply about workforce surpluses or shortages, but about equipping people with the skills needed to keep pace with a rapidly evolving business environment. Central Retail is therefore accelerating its strategy to develop a new generation of specialists, while continuing to strengthen the capabilities of people both within and beyond the organisation. Key initiatives include the dual vocational scholarship programme and expanded partnerships with leading educational institutions nationwide, helping to connect learning more closely with the skills required in the workplace. These efforts help students establish clear career paths, while creating opportunities for everyone to advance within their existing fields or explore careers across different functions within Central Group. Our long-term goal is to build a framework that gives everyone the ‘skills, opportunities, and career choices’ they need to pursue a range of career paths aligned with their interests.”

As workforce demands continue to evolve rapidly, every sector must adapt to keep pace. For retail and wholesale businesses such as Central Retail, this means strengthening people development to meet emerging needs and accelerating efforts to close skills gaps. This extends across training curricula and delivery methods, as well as recruitment and selection practices that address both the skills businesses need and the expectations of younger generations. Government and educational institutions also have a crucial role to play by adapting policies and curricula to reflect the realities of the workplace. By integrating practical knowledge, industry trends and in-demand skills into modern learning approaches, they can ensure that young people graduate with more than academic qualifications. They are equipped with practical skills, a clear understanding of opportunities for growth, and the readiness to begin their careers.

As one of Thailand’s large employers, Central Retail’s key strategy is to address these challenges at the source by supporting and creating opportunities for people to learn and develop the skills they need to enter the workforce. One of its major ongoing initiatives is the Central Dual Vocational Scholarship Programme, which offers students hands-on experience through work-based learning, supported by close guidance from experienced mentors. The programme prepares participants to become specialists in their fields, equipped with knowledge, technical skills, National Skill Standard Assessment Certificate issued by the Department of Skill Development, Ministry of Labour and recognised occupational qualifications. To ensure that skills development directly addresses the needs of the retail and wholesale ecosystem, each Central Retail business unit helps design learning experiences around the essential skills and specific requirements of its respective functions. These include department store operations, customer service and inventory management at Central Department Store; fresh food and bakery management, supermarket operations, and team management at TOPS; warehouse systems, logistics, merchandise management, and supply chain operations at Thaiwatsadu; and professional maintenance and repair skills for the automotive industry and after-sales services at AUTO1.

This approach not only gives students a clearer view of their career paths but also enhances their opportunities for stronger earning potential and career progression beyond typical entry-level benchmarks. To date, the programme has partnered with more than 350 educational institutions, provided over 330 million THB in educational funding, and prepared more than 11,000 skilled individuals to enter the workforce. Of these, over 5,000 have secured permanent positions with companies under Central Retail, while nearly 2,000 have been promoted to supervisory roles. These results demonstrate the tangible success of Central Retail’s strategy to develop a new generation of specialists for the retail and wholesale workforce.

Building on this success, Central Retail has expanded its collaboration with vocational training schools and leading universities nationwide through its University Partnership initiative, using real-world business challenges to develop students’ skills and industry experience. TOPS CARE, for example, has partnered with five leading universities to strengthen pharmacy education and offer pharmacy students internships at its branches, where they can gain practical workplace experience. GO WHOLESALE has also partnered with the Faculty of Fisheries Technology and Aquatic Resources at Maejo University to deliver hands-on training through its University Roadshow activities. Supervisors and GO Experts visit the university to share insights from the food wholesale business and teach practical skills, from understanding the anatomy of different fish species to knife handling, filleting, and trimming fish for specific uses—capabilities that can be applied directly within the industry. Meanwhile, vFIX has developed short technical courses in partnership with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration vocational training schools to train technicians with specialist expertise in installation and air-conditioning systems, preparing them to enter the workforce immediately upon completing the course.

Dr. Orapin Duangkaew, Director of Chiang Rai Vocational College, commented on the dual vocational scholarship partnership, “The college is delighted to partner with Central Retail to provide our students with comprehensive retail and service skills development through the Operations Trainee Program with TOPS. Beyond scholarship support, the programme enables students to learn directly from expert mentors and gain hands-on experience in real operational environments. The programme follows a structured approach, with monthly tests and assessments, close guidance from mentors, branch managers and teams across all relevant functions, and leadership development opportunities that prepare students for future career advancement. It also allows students to earn an income while studying, helping to ease their financial burden. Together, these opportunities enable them to pursue a clear career path in retail and services immediately after graduation.

Looking ahead, Chiang Rai Vocational College is committed to continuing its partnership with Central Retail and its affiliated companies to unlock students’ potential and develop the skills required for the workplace. We will incorporate feedback from the business sector to make our curricula more flexible and responsive to change, ensuring that students develop the essential skills they need while still in education. We also aim to equip them with the foundational knowledge and understanding to transition smoothly into the workforce and contribute to a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals for the industry.”

Mr. Dechathorn Donchai, Department Manager, Cashier & Service, and a participant in the Central Dual Vocational Scholarship Programme, shared, “I decided to join the Central Dual Vocational Scholarship Programme because I wanted to combine theoretical learning with practical experience. I also saw an opportunity to grow within a well-established organisation with an extensive retail and wholesale ecosystem across Southeast Asia. From the outset of my training, I had opportunities to learn through a wide range of real workplace situations, developing my observation, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills under the close guidance of specialists. This gave me a well-rounded understanding of different aspects of the business. Most importantly, I was offered a permanent position at TOPS immediately after graduation. Over nearly four years, I have continued to grow with Central Retail and now serve as Department Manager, Cashier & Service at TOPS Pracha Uthit. I am grateful to the programme for helping me establish my career path and giving me opportunities to learn, develop, and build a stable career in retail and wholesale.”

Building a capable workforce involves more than recruiting people who are ready to work. It also requires continuous development of existing employees’ skills so that everyone can respond effectively to change. Central Retail is therefore building a learning ecosystem through Central Retail Academy, supporting employees at every level, from operational and specialist roles to organisational leaders. Its upskilling and reskilling programmes focus on developing future-ready skills that enable employees to grow sustainably alongside the evolving retail and wholesale industry. These include AI & Digital, Customer Centricity, Data-Driven Decision Making, and Leadership for Growth. They are complemented by specialist development initiatives such as GO WHOLESALE’s Fresh Food Academy, developed in partnership with Kasetsart University to strengthen practical skills in meat cutting and fish preparation; the Business Mastery Program, developed with Thammasat University to enhance leadership decision-making; and the People Manager Program and Management Development Program, which support employees’ continued growth alongside the organisation.

Together, these initiatives reflect Central Retail’s commitment to empowering people with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world—through education, employment opportunities and continuous skills development. By connecting industry needs with the education sector, Central Retail aims to help build a future-ready workforce equipped with relevant skills and ready to play a vital role in driving Thailand’s sustainable economic growth, in line with its vision of “Retail and Wholesale for All”.