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Published on November 23, 2007

The company, which operates about 100 supermarket outlets under four major brands - Tops Super, Tops Daily, Tops Market, and Central Food Hall - has launched 70 New Year gift baskets this year along with 55 different selections at Central Food Hall. It is also offering a maximum discount of up to 17 per cent, which it claims is the highest in the market. The company said the variety is greater than last year when 50 gift baskets were launched at Tops and only 25 selections at Central Food Hall.

Chiranun Poopat, senior vice president of buying, merchandising and marketing, said the company last year led the Bt920-million overall market for New Year hampers with a 40-per-cent market share.

"Central Food Retail is the leader and trendsetter for New Year gift baskets," she said. "Last year, we gained a 40-per-cent share out of the total market value of nearly Bt1 billion. This year, we plan to increase our hamper sales by another 10 to 15 per cent from last year. We want to grow at the same level as the market to maintain our leadership," she said.

She added that shoppers can choose from a variety of basket types at different prices, ranging from Bt415 to more than Bt10,000.

The baskets themselves will be tailor-made and divided into five colours - blue, red, gold, yellow, and pink - to correspond to the different characters of products they carry: premium Thai, imported, health, organic and eco-friendly products.

Nick Reitmeier, vice president of international food and wine, said that Central Food Retail's gift baskets are distinguished by their variety, premium selection of quality products and stylish ornamentation that meet all customers' requirements and are suited for all lifestyles.

"We want to be the one-stop-shop for whatever your requirements are for Christmas and New Year," he said.  "We have imported products from Europe, Australia and America and a large collection of imported wines," said Reitmeier, adding that Thai consumers deserve value for money.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

 The Nation