CP All to invest Bt5 bn on new centres, branches

President Piyawat Titasattavorakul said yesterday that CP All had posted revenue of Bt90 billion last year, up 20 per cent from 2007, due to continued branch expansion and a focus on food and beverage sales.

CP All vice president Suwit Kingkaew said the company would go ahead with the introduction of 400 to 500 branches across the country this year at a cost of between Bt3 billion and Bt4 billion, the same investment level as in recent years.

7-Eleven currently has 4,750 branches nationwide.

In addition, CP All has set aside Bt500 million for construction of a distribution centre in Surat Thani as part of its effort to reduce transportation costs.

The centre is expected to be up and running in the second quarter.

It also expects to spend Bt500 million on building a distribution centre in the North.

The company plans to boost the proportion of food and beverage products on its shelves to between 80 and 85 per cent in the next two years, from the present 70 per cent. The move is expected to drive sales growth to at least 5 per cent this year.

7-Eleven stores recorded year-on-year growth of 5 to 10 per cent during the New Year period. The rising number of domestic travellers during the festive season led to brisk sales in the provinces.