CP All eyes healthcare

CP All, operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores, has launched a new retail chain for pharmaceutical and healthcare products.

Named eXta, the company's first pilot store for pharmaceutical and healthcare products opened at a shophouse on Charansanitwong Road Soi 4 at the end of last year. The launch of new eXta stores is in line with the company's strategy to expand new potential businesses, including the Yuuri coffee and bakery house, Book Smile bookshop and Kadsan, a retail outlet for premium bakery products and other ready-to-eat food.

The new stores take advantage of CP All's huge 7-Eleven network and its enriched experience in developing retail outlets convenient for shoppers.

"CP All, which currently operates more than 4,400 7-Eleven convenience stores, has seen a good business trend in Thailand where consumers have a high awareness about health issues, so there are tremendous opportunities for opening pharmaceutical and healthcare shops. The company is also specialises in developing retail stores in shophouses, which are quite convenient for individual shoppers to access," said an industry source.

The source said that in addition to the first eXta standalone shop opened at Charansanitwong Soi 4, the company also opened the first eXta kiosk in May at a 7-Eleven Lat Krabang branch. "CP All plans to open no fewer than 10 eXta outlets this year, both standalone stores in shophouses and kiosks in 7-Eleven convenience stores," said the source.

CP All achieved Bt32.8 billion in sales in the first quarter of this year with Bt1.08 billion in net profit, up Bt583.29 million from the same period last year.

The company's share price closed  at Bt10.90, up 3.81 per cent from the day before.