MMK Intertrade, a subsidiary of beauty and cosmetic product original equipment manufacturer Mit Mongkol Industry Co Ltd, currently markets the Prann products made by its parent company in department stores in Asia, Europe and the US.

MMK Intertrade executive director Athicha Xanthavanij said yesterday that, like the rest of the world, the market for spa products in Thailand was growing as people sought more natural products to refresh themselves after a hectic day at work.

In the initial stages, MMK is introducing three main product lines - for hair, body, and hands and feet - with three main fragrances - for relaxing, rebalancing and refreshing.

The company has four sales points located at Siam Paragon and CentralWorld shopping complexes and on the east and west sides of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

It plans to open up to eight more outlets this year with a total investment of about Bt10 million.

The company has already launched magazine advertisements as part of its marketing plan.

Its marketing budget has been set at 30 per cent of expected domestic sales of Bt30 million this year.

It will also conduct marketing activities including a membership programme to support sales.

The target group for Prann products is high-income earners since prices range from Bt290 to Bt1,690.

MMK Intertrade expects to achieve a 10-per-cent share of the Bt300-million local spa market.

That does not include One Tambon One Product products and unbranded products.

It will also keep penetrating more markets in Europe and the US and plans to have some 300 outlets in all by this end of the year.

The company expects domestic and international sales to total Bt200 million this year.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation