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Loft, located in Siam Discovery Centre and operated by BIHC Trading, said it had not been affected by the local political turmoil or the global financial crisis. Its revenue in the first three quarters already grew more than 25 per cent.

Senior merchandising and marketing man¬ager Suwipha Wannamanomai said to boost fourthquarter revenue, the company would undertake three campaigns: "Loft Happy Halloween", to be held this month; the "Loft Wrapping Champion Festival"; and "The World of Ultimate Gifts".

Suwipha said the fourth quarter con¬tributed about 35 per cent of Loft's total rev¬enue, with 20 per cent coming from December alone. For this reason, the shop has concen¬trated its marketing activities in this most favourable season.

It will spend Bt15 million on marketing, public relations, store decorations and copro¬motions with business partners before the end of the year.

"Even thought Loft has achieved its target¬ed sales over the past nine months, we've set a conservative sales target of 25percent growth, because of the political uncertainty," she said.

Despite the domestic turmoil, buyer sentiment at Loft remains good, particularly among members, and although the number of visitors has fallen, spending has increased, she said.

Loft has 25,000 members as a client base, and this figure is expected to increase 30 per cent this year.

"The average shopping bill is Bt400 to Bt500 per customer, and this is an increase of 1020 per cent. Most of the increase is com¬ing from members," Suwipha said.

Following Loft's continuous growth, sever¬al shoppingmall operators have proposed it expand to other malls. However, Suwipha said a decision on expansion would come from the parent company in Japan.