Central to spend Bt1.5 bn on marketing this year

Central vice president for marketing Piyawan Leelasompop said yesterday that the money would be used for promotional events and customer-relationship management.

She said the move was part of an aggressive marketing strategy for this year.

Piyawan added that positive consumer sentiment had begun to return and would improve further if the country's political situation could be stabilised.

Central targets at least 8-per-cent growth in sales value this year, against 5 per cent last year. This year's growth this year will be boosted by new branches, including Central Chaeng Wattana and Central Pattaya Beach, which will open on January 23.

Its first major marketing event this year is the "Central Chinese New Year 2009" discount campaign, which will be held from January 16 to February 1 with a budget of Bt150 million. The campaign is expected to generate sales of Bt2.5 billion.