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Published on October 19, 2007

Shopping behaviour has gradually changed over the past three years as leather manufacturers have created a greater variety of products to fit various lifestyles and occasions, he said.

At The Mall's outlets  Siam Paragon, The Emporium and The Mall department stores average spending per bill has risen from Bt700 to over Bt2,000. Apart from the higher number of items purchased each time, higher prices, following inflation and quality development, is also a factor for the rise in spending.

Saridpong said the entire leather market for men in malls was worth Bt4 billion, of which shoes accounted for half of the value and other leather products the rest. The leather market for men has been growing 10 per cent annually.

The Mall Group plans to renovate its men's leather department into a "Men in Trends" section by creating a new shopping atmosphere. Saridpong said the new look would have various brand identities.

The renovation will start in Siam Paragon before the official launch in December. The leather departments in its other malls will be gradually renovated next year. The minimum required budget for each branch is Bt50 million. Saridpong said an extra budget might be required for each department, depending on the need for additional marketing.

The Mall Group has set a conservative growth rate after the renovations at 10 per cent in the first 12 months to Bt560 million.

Nitida Asawanipont, The Nation