THAILAND. Two of Asia’s biggest travel retail developments are on schedule for their respective openings in coming weeks.
On 18 August King Power International Group, the powerful Thai retailer headed by CEO Vichai Raksriaksorn, will officially open its ambitious new Downtown Complex. The facility includes the 400-room Novotel King Power Hotel, the company’s new head office, a theatre, restaurants and a warehouse.
A few weeks later on 28 September King Power will open its new duty and tax free retail complex at the long-awaited Suvarnabhumi Airport near Bangkok.
The King Power Downtown Complex, set on a 12-acre plot, is located in the heart of downtown Bangkok at Sri Ayutthya Road, adjacent to Makkasa station, the new international airport train terminal.
“It will be a one-stop service satisfying all of a tourist’s needs.“ |
Vichai Raksriaksorn, CEO, King Power International Group |
Visitors to the store will enter on the ground floor and rise up through an atrium to a boutique zone where they enter “a series of worlds”. There they will discover six watch shops and a Watch Gallery – Vichai is one of the world’s leading fine watch collectors.
Other highlights include an expansive perfume hall, and outlets dedicated to crystal, electronics, writing instruments and lighters, sportswear, fashion watches, and costume jewellery among others.
Customers then move down the escalator towards a series of new zones – including liquor, which is dominated by an outstanding fine wine offer, and tobacco. Downstairs also features a strong emphasis on Thai theming and produce – including crafts, homeware, mid-range kids’ clothing and culinary treats.
In an interview with The Nation today, Vichai said: “It will be a one-stop service satisfying all of a tourist’s needs. We plan to open the duty free store and the restaurant on August 18 and the headquarters in October. The hotel and theatre are set to open next year.”
How some of the new Downtown Complex stores will look
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| The Watch Gallery/Mid-level watches | Fashion bags | Ladies premium leathergoods |
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| Men’s premium leathergoods | Cosmetics and fragrances | The lounge |
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| Pens and lighters | Sportswear | Sportswear – Trainers |
Commenting on Suvarnabhumi Airport, Vichai said: “All the shops are ready for the airport’s grand opening.”
As reported, Suvarnabhumi Airport’s aeronautical and commercial services were successfully tested on 29 July. King Power has a ten-year concession from Airports of Thailand to operate the retail and other commercial spaces at the new airport as well as the downtown shop.
The Nation’s report said the company had invested THB20 billion (US$530 million) in the airport shops and other commercial spaces, the downtown duty free complex and a training centre.
King Power is guaranteeing a THB1.5 billion (US$40 million) return to the airports authority for the first year of operation at Suvarnabhumi.
On the July test day the shops generated sales of THB3.2 million (US$85,000). A further test of facilities, this time for international flights, will take place on 1 September.
MORE STORIES ON KING POWER AND ON SUVARNABHUMI
Suvarnabhumi passes first big examination amid “˜carnival’ atmosphere commercial tests – 31/07/06
Bangkok’s big airport and downtown duty free openings loom as Suvarnabhumi testing begins- 03/06/06
King Power International, Dubai Duty Free and Cathay Pacific win major Raven Fox awards – 18/05/06
