Together with our stakeholders, we have worked hard to continuously improve, grow and set new standards. Here’s a glimpse at some of the accomplishments Central Retail and its leadership are proud to have received over the years.
Jing Jai Market is a new type of market that Central group initiated through Central Retail Corporation, which first opened in 2018
Organic fruits and vegetable market from farmers to consumers of each province
‘Jing Jai Farmers’ Market’ or known as ‘Jing Jai Market’ is not your typical everyday market that people are used to because Central Retail has taken a step further opening a space where local farmers are able to sell their organic vegetables and produce within the Central retail network and give them the chance to directly communicate with consumers and exchange feedback to improve their products.
“This will help people in the local communities to consume fresh and good quality food and products, together with providing stable income for farmers, create good health for consumers and create an efficient economy for the community all together.”
Central Retail Corporation’s main objective is to drive the business for sustainable growth and also become the center of people's lives in order to create shared values across all stakeholders. We want everyone to follow the principal guidelines that focuses on improving the quality of life in society, especially the community, as well as improving the environment along with the economic growth at the local level till the national level. This will be achieved by using Central Retail’s experience and expertise in business operations, implementing our retail knowledge, sharing our strengths in human resources and focusing on seamless distribution channels that can be passed onto and strengthening the deeper knowledge of farmers and the community as a whole.
Furthermore, Jing Jai Market is a new type of market that Central group initiated through Central Retail Corporation, which first opened in 2018 at Tops Market located at Central Udonthani Province. The primary goal of Jing Jai Market is to become a central hub selling vegetables, organic fruits and local quality goods that have been carefully selected from each province. In addition, Jing Jai Market wants to help drive the local economy and generate sustainable income for farmers.
This showed that we achieved great success from both consumers and farmers participating in the project, together with improving the quality of life, generate income, strengthen farmers across the country, and also become a model for markets in finding ways to reduces the use of plastic since we emphasized in using local natural packaging to reduce waste and advocate customers to bring their own cloth bags for when shopping.
Thus, Central Retail have given great importance in creating sufficient economic values for the local communities, together with helping them develop products that strengthen the economy in order to build good relationships. We also continued being a supportive business partner in finding quality local products that meet the needs of customers, which overall helps to promote the company's business competitiveness, create a good image, as well as building confidence in all groups of stakeholders.
Performance:
Opening 24 Jing Jai Market stores across Thailand
Selling 7,138 products
Supporting farmers in 3,167 households across 547 districts
Creating 193 million baht in total revenue
Na Muen Si - cultural tourism to create a regional economy
Peace and Partnerships
When discussing the topic of tourism nowadays, the ‘Cultural Tourism’ trend has gained immense popularity, attracting large volumes of tourists both domestically and internationally, which subsequently generates income into the country and the communities continuously. It has also made the communities stronger, as well as increasing income by expanding local wisdom into quality products. Plus, folk arts and culture can be authentically preserved and continued in a sustainable manner.
Central Retail Corporation sees the importance of promoting cultural tourism that can help create sustainable regional economic growth with this being said, we have foreseen the strengths of Na Muen Si Community in Na Yong District of Trang Province in weaving and preserving the heritage of ancient woven fabrics, while adding a contemporary touch. This has created excellent added value for woven fabrics to become products with more sleek modern designs and meeting the demands of the current market. In addition, Trang Province is also a renowned tourist destination for food, culture and its nature, which has therefore initiated the Na Muen Si Community Tourism Project in Na Yong District of Trang Province. This project will help develop, promote and extend the Na Muen Si community, taking into account the economy, society and environment as the focal point, which is done through a form of cultural tourism that is mutually beneficial to the whole community. It will also strengthen the potential of the community as a tourist attraction for arts and culture, and together also create income streams for the community through health tourism, such as cycling to see the scenery of the rice fields in the community and environmental conservation.
This community tourism project in Na Muen Si of Na Yong District in Trang Province received cooperation from all sectors, including government agencies, schools and communities in order to push cultural tourism in the Na Yong area and nearby. By highlighting the use of colors and fabric patterns that are inspired by nature, they show the value of Na Muen Si woven cloth, which has been a local wisdom heritage for hundreds of years and the uniqueness of Trang Province people inherited since the reign of King Rama V, and is now celebrated as a 5-star OTOP (One Tambon, One Product) product. It was also inherited during the reign of King Rama V and is now celebrated as a 5-star OTOP (One Tambon, One Product) product.
Furthermore, the company has stepped in and helped develop the community tourism project of Na Muen Si in many areas. This ranges from the learning center and exhibition of textile museum, community enterprise shop building, developing woven fabric products, and producing new contemporary products using the Na Muen Si woven fabrics, which are then sold across stores in Central Group’s retail network such as Good Goods and Fila. We have also helped in using their products as new year gifts from Central Pattana, organized training on store management, bookkeeping and stocking of products, created local souvenirs and created travel routes for communities and nearby areas to increase income for people in the community. Furthermore, we have created participation of communities and schools in the area in environmental stewardship, and also conducted training sessions for Na Muen Si farmers grandchildren and students of Ban Khuan Sawan School.
The company has participated in the Na Muen Si tourism project with the community in terms of sharing knowledge for business operations and understanding the production factors when producing local products in many areas. We also emphasized on pushing the competence of people in the community through knowledge, skill development, supporting them with devices and infrastructure and also providing distribution channels and marketing opportunities. Starting in 2014 we had 80 members and since then in 2021, the number of members has increased to 155 people, generating income for the community of up to 10 million baht.
We have operated according to the integral principle that community development must be based on the needs of people in the community. Therefore, a field visit was conducted to survey the needs and expectations of the community and all stakeholder groups. This included assessing the impacts that will occur on society and the environment, and using the opinions of the community and stakeholders to develop an action plan in order for the community and the company to grow together at the same pace.
The company is committed to preserving and passing on local culture and wisdom to future generations, as well as supporting and promoting the development of local products to create sustainable careers for the community in order to create a strong regional economy leading to sustainable growth of local products.
Performance
The number of members has increased to 155 people, generating income for the community of up to 10 million baht in 2021
Bringing Na Muen Sri woven fabrics to be produced and sold in stores under the Central Group retail network, such as Good Goods and Fila. Plus, used as new year gifts from Central Pattana
Constructing tourism routes for communities and nearby areas to increase income for people in the community
Inherit the historic ‘Na Muen Si Woven Cloth’ culture and help build a strong community for sustainability in Trang
Peace and Partnerships
Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited has jointly implemented a project with the Central Tham unit to help develop and elevate the Na Muen Si weaving community located at Na Muen Si Subdistrict, Na Yong District, Trang Province. This is done by opening the Na Muen Si Weaving Community Learning Center in order to preserve the ancient hand-woven agricultural community in the southern region, drive education, organize a community bicycle tour, train individuals to become local guides and further develop and design products from Na Muen Si woven fabrics in order to become a model generating income for people in the community, which can income of more than 56 million baht to 155 households that will benefit good quality of life for future generations.
Corporate Governance and Sustainable Development Committee and Independent Director led by Mrs. Patareeya Benjapolchai, Mr. Kanchit Bunachinda, Mr. Roongrote Rangsiyopash and Mr. Pichai Chirathivat visited the area between October 29-30, 2022 to join the opening of the Na Muen Si Weaving Community Learning Center project. They were also on hand to welcome Mr. Chuan Leekpai to organize the opening ceremony of the project and visit Robinson in Trang Province.
The company has participated in these activities in a holistic way that covers educational purposes, creating a source of learning that maintains local identity and develops professional skills that pushes the capabilities of people in the community with the help of education, equipment and infrastructure. We also support and promote woven fabric products to have a modern appeal that can potentially become a Good Goods brand product and expand to the international stage. Regarding distribution channels and marketing opportunities, the company by Robinson Lifestyle Trang Province has delivered agricultural products by creating the Jing Jai Farmer's Market so that locals have marketing channels that can reach consumers directly.
“ This has been carried out according to the principle that community development must be based on the needs of the local people. Therefore, there has been an area survey to study the needs and expectations of the community and all groups of stakeholders. This includes assessing the impact that will occur on society and the environment and bringing the opinions of the community and stakeholders to develop guidelines so that the community and the company can grow together. ”
In addition to developing a community tourism model, the company has continuously supported and pushed for education in the area, together with promoting careers for people with disabilities in Trang Province as follows:
19 schools in Trang province participated in the Pracharat School project.
Driving school development through the Moral School Project and philosophy of sufficiency economy in education in cooperation with the Foundation of Virtuous Youth under the Crown Property Bureau
Central Group joins the Partnership Schools project with the Ministry of Education by signing an MOU with the school and vocational colleges in different regions, which the southern region has chosen Ban Khuan Sawan School and Trang Technical College in doing the project in order to create continuity of education from basic education to vocational level. In addition, there are 168 scholarships awarded to both schools.
Encourage the school to be assessed as a learning center based on the philosophy of sufficiency economyin education by experts in sufficiency economy at the national level.
Promote technology and innovation in fabric fiber development for Na Muen Si woven fabric community enterprises, such as nano woven fabrics and banana fibers.
Occupation promotion project for people with Disabilities in Trang Province, which is done through the cooperation of the Sports Association for Physically Handicapped in Trang Province. They have also established the Central Tham project name "Layering Chicken Raising Project for Sale" totaling 28 households distributed in 5 districts, with the Central Group as the supporter since the construction of the house, creating guidelines for raising laying hens, as well as preliminary financial management, such as the preparation of household accounts that enables people with disabilities to have a self-sufficient career and can take care of their families sustainably.
“ The company is committed to preserving and inheriting culture and local wisdom for future generations, along with supporting and promoting the development of local products to create sustainable jobs for the community in order to build a strong regional economy that leads to sustainable growth of local products ”
Performance
Distribution of income of over 56 million baht for 155 households (information as of July 2022)
Creating with our hands and passing on with our hearts “Central Let’s Celebrate 2023”
Peace and Partnerships
Supporting careers for the underprivileged and creating true and lasting happiness
Central Department Store, under Central Retail Group, welcomes the festive season with "Central Let's Celebrate 2023" mega campaign - transforming Central Department Store into a "Home of Celebration" that invites everyone to check in and have a good time together in a homey cozy eco-style.
The entire Central Department Store has been transformed into a land of happiness and kingdom of joyous gifts, together with adorning the space with ‘Natural Weaving' works of villagers in various communities across the country that are mixed to decorate the Christmas trees. Furthermore, another key highlight is "Papa Christmas", a super stylish giant-sized Santa made by eco-friendly materials from communities all over Thailand, which is designed to help cast a spell of happiness to everyone passing by.
Adding on, the atmosphere inside Central Department Stores across the country throughout this festive season are alluringly decorated with the most eco-friendly Christmas trees, which every element emphasizes the use of natural materials that are friendly to the planet while also supporting the works of locals. This helps bring produce from different communities across the country to be transformed into chic ornaments that are then decorated on the Christmas tree, whether it is a decorative star that is woven from palm leaves or hearts and reindeer made from hammered bamboo, which overall becomes a handmade accessory that truly saves the world.
This all comes from the cooperation of Central Department Store and the Department of Corrections with the objective to share knowledge and teach inmates in 3 correctional institutions in Nakhon Ratchasima Province professional skills in handicrafts. The results are ornaments used on Christmas trees and gift boxes, which hopefully opens up opportunities for inmates to have skills to find jobs once released from jail.
Rvisra Chirathivat, Chief Marketing Officer of Central Department Store and Robinson Department Store has said,
“Central Department Store has always paid great attention to sustainability practices together with managing our businesses. We want to push people to care more for our world and at the same time have many moments of happiness when helping society to become more sustainable.”
“And what’s even more special this year is that Central Department Store has collaborated with the Department of Corrections to use 'bamboo tassels' handcrafted by male prisoners to use as decorations on special gift boxes. This helps to support vocational training and create job and income opportunities after they are released from prison, which conclusively continues our mission to create more equality in society.”
‘Gift to Gifted: Creating Talented Kids’
Peace and Partnerships
Sharing Happiness and Giving Opportunities for People to Grow Sustainably
Central Retail has launched the ‘Gift to Gifted: Creating Talented Kids’ extensive program using the Equality Marketing strategy that helps reinforce the company’s vision that sustainable happiness can be done by creating talented kids.
We continue our business operations with sustainable social responsibility by creating happiness through the ‘Gift to Gifted: Creating Talented Kids’ program that comes with the ‘Happiness Forward’ concept to promote equality and reduce the gap of inequality found in society. This will be done while still creating a positive relationship between brands and consumers so that they are closer together. Central Retail will present personal stories through short video clips that reflect the great potential and talent of Thai children who come with hopes and dreams, which we will act as a middleman to help these dreams come true by joining hands with the Equitable Education Fund. We invite everyone to pass on these happiness and make contributions to give opportunities for Thai youth to grow sustainably.
Piyawan Leelasompop, Executive Vice President of Marketing, has stated that,
“Central Retail wants to focus on reducing inequality and promote diversity in society that coincides with the ‘Green & Sustainable Retail’ initiative that navigates society wellbeing. Because of this, we have implemented the ‘Gift to Gifted: Creating Talented Kids’ program by providing opportunities for Thai youth to follow their dreams since there’s many across the country with high potential and skills, but lack the chances to compete on an international level. Central Retail Corporation has already supported these goals and made dreams come true by recruiting four gifted kids with different talents to represent Talented Thai children whose stories can be seen through the short video clips we have created in hopes to inspire many youths in the future.”
We have also joined hands with the Equitable Education Fund, which was established under the Equitable Education Fund Act of 2018, and has helped more than 3 million poor and underprivileged students in 3 years. And moving forward, we want to invite everyone to give opportunities to underprivileged Thai youths to have equal access to quality education because education is an important foundation to build a good future for every child.
Donations can be made to the Equitable Education Fund (FFE) via QR Code scanning from today till 28 February 2023 (every donation via QR scanning will automatically receive a deduction into the Revenue Department's system).