Giffarine readies for more agents

The move is in preparation for welcoming new independent sales representatives wanting extra income amid the economic crisis.

President Nalinee Paiboon yesterday said her company expected to see more direct-sales agents next year, due to the growing number of jobless.

Economic growth is forecast to grow not more than 2 per cent next year. Laid-off workers, including an expected 2 million jobless next year, will be driven to look for second jobs.

"Independent sales agent is one of the top ten most popular jobs among the unemployed," said Nalinee.

She cited recent research on the outlook for the direct-sales industry conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres, in which 73 per cent of 2,000 respondents wanted to become direct-sales agents to earn extra income. Sixty-five per cent also mentioned becoming agents for ease of buying products for their personal use, because they believed the products' quality and prices compared favourably with more traditionally marketed goods.

Nalinee said Giffarine predicted the number of its sales agents would increase 5-10 per cent from 5 million now, in accordance with growth in the direct-sales industry.

The new business centres will provide product-consulting services to Giffarine's clients. They will also serve as meeting and seminar centres for business people at no charge.

Giffarine has already completed construction of business centres in Phitsanulok, Surat Thani and Khon Kaen provinces this year, bringing the national total to 95. It will add others in Lampang province and Bangkok's Bang Khae district early next year.

Nalinee said the expansion tied in with Giffarine's new Bt700-million plant at the Nava Nakhon Industrial Estate.

She added that Giffarine's revenue could reach Bt30 billion this year.