Central's Yuwadee among 50 top businesswomen in Asia

Yuwadee Chirathivat is the only businesswoman from Thailand enlisted in Forbes Asia's 2013 list of 50 Top Businesswoman.

Yuwadee, 59, president of Central Department Store, is recognised for her ability to have guided Central Department Store into Thailand's pole position and is steering the 65-year-old family firm into a growing role regionwide.

As shopping has become an ever escalating pursuit across Asia, but no place outclasses Thailand for the consummate megamall experience, most Thai companies have shied from expansion out of their comfort zones.

"But Yuwadee opened Central's first China stores in 2010 and last year embarked on an ambitious Southeast Asian strategy that will start with the opening

of a store in Indonesia in 2014. Thailand remains the Central focus, with new stores

slated to open this year in southern Hat Yai and northern Chiang Mai," Forbes Asia said.

Despite a global recession that hit the retail industry, under Yuwadee Central sales expanded 19 per cent in 2012 to US$1.8 billion, while profits rose 13 per cent.

The 50 women are chosen for being particularly active - 'in the mix' - in their areas of business in spite of challenging economic headwinds. Amid a slowdown in China, a weak US recovery and concerns over Europe's currency union, most of these women produced higher profits, and those who didn't were repositioning for a business pickup. The women on the list were also selected based on their accomplishments in the latest year. The full list is available on www.forbes.com/asia-women as well as in the latest issue of Forbes Asia, available on newsstands now.