BigC

Infobox_Company
company_name = flagicon|THA Big C Supercenter PLC.
flagicon|VIE Big C EBH
company_
company_type = flagicon|THA Public (SET code: BIGC)
flagicon|VIE Private
company_slogan = flagicon|THA More than just Low Prices!
flagicon|VIE More economical!
foundation= flagicon|THA 1993
flagicon|VIE 1998
location = flagicon|THA Bangkok, Thailand
flagicon|VIE Hanoi, Vietnam
key_people = flagicon|THA Suthichart Chirathivat, Chairman
Yves Bernard Braibant, CEO
Praphan Eamrungroj, EVP
flagicon|VIE N/A
num_employees =
industry = Retail
revenue = flagicon|THA profit ฿ 58.03 billion (2006)
flagicon|VIE N/A
net_income = flagicon|THA profit ฿ 2,124 million (2006)
flagicon|VIE N/A
products = Discount Stores, Grocery Stores, Hypermarkets
homepage = flagicon|THA [http://www.bigc.co.th bigc.co.th]
flagicon|VIE [http://www.bigc-vietnam.com bigc-vietnam.com]

BigC, or BigC Supercenter ( _th. บิ๊กซี ซูเปอร์เซ็นเตอร์), is a chain of Hypermarkets in Thailand and Vietnam.

History

flagicon|THA Thailand

In 1993, BigC starts business under the registered name of Central Superstore Co., Ltd., a Central Group subsidiary.

On 15 January 1994, the first outlet is opened on Chaengwattana Road in Bangkok.

In 1995, The Rangsit (Pathumthani near Bangkok) outlet, which was formerly known as Save One is changed to BigC Supercenter. Big C Supercenter Public Company Limited is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET code: BIGC) with S.K. Garment PLC. holding majority stake.

In 1999, Big C Supercenter PLC. decided to form a business alliance with France-based Groupe Casino, known for Géant.Groupe Casino buys 530 million shares of BigC capital increase, owns approximately 63 percent of the company, making them the largest shareholder after the company's recapitalization. After securing the controlling stake in BigC, the Groupe Casino decides to sell the entire garment business in order to concentrate only on the retail activity and strengthenthe efficiency of the current operation.

On April 2001, BigC purchase of assets Auchan hypermarket in Chiang Mai, changed to BigC Supercenter. [cite web|url=http://www.bigc.co.th/en/news/news2.asp?code=4&news_type=1|title=BigC board backs Auchan purchase News by Bangkok Post|accessdate=2001-04-26] And on October, BigC plans to launch Leader Price ( _th. ลีดเดอร์ ไพรซ์) stores in Thailand as separate sales outlets for the company’s house-brand products. The new Leader Price shops will be opened in existing outlets, BigC. [cite web|url=http://www.bigc.co.th/en/news/news2.asp?code=41&news_type=1|title=Leader Price News by The Nation|accessdate=2001-10-16]

BigC launched BigC Foundation ( _th. มูลนิธิบิ๊กซี) in 2002, the main objectives of the BigC Foundation include providing necessary assistance and support for children in terms of education, and offering opportunities for education to those suffering as a result of social abuses or the drug trade. [cite web|url=http://www.bigc.co.th/en/news/news2.asp?code=82&news_type=1|title=BigC Foundation News by Naew Na|accessdate=2002-09-17]

In 2005, BigC developed and expanded "Compact Store" format. The compact stores each require an investment of between Bt300 million and Bt400 million, and have an average retail space of 5,000-6,000 square metres. BigC's standard stores have retail space of about 10,000 square metres and require an investment of between Bt600 million and Bt700 million. [cite web|url=http://www.bigc.co.th/en/news/news2.asp?code=129&news_type=1|title=BigC Compact Stores News by The Nation|accessdate=2005-11-10]

As of February 2006, the company operates 49 stores in Thailand, 24 of which are in Bangkok. Leader Price, an affiliate, was remodeled into Mini BigC ( _th. มินิบิ๊กซี).The company will open BigC stores in 2007 in Lamphun, Hang Dong in Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Chon Buri for a total of 53 stores.

In 2006, BigC reported sales of Bt58.03 billion (US$1.75 billion), up 9.1 per cent from Bt53.19 billion in 2005. Net earnings grew to Bt2.12 billion, up 12.8 per cent from Bt1.88 billion in 2005. It main competitors are Carrefour and Tesco Lotus. [cite web|url=http://www.listedcompany.com/ir/bigc/web/show.cgi?content=highlight&header=&integrate=|title=Financial Highlights|accessdate=2007-03-15]

flagicon|VIE Vietnam

Since 1998, Groupe Casino starts supermarkets business under the name of Casino Supermarché, the first supermarket in Dong Nai.

Until 2004, Groupe Casino announced in Thailand, Casino Supermarché Vietnam renamed to BigC brand, [cite web|url=http://www.bigc.co.th/th/news/news2.asp?code=6&news_type=1|title=Casino Supermarché rename to BigC Vietnam News by Prachachart Turakij (in Thai)|accessdate=2004-02-26] with the same brand and same stores concept in Thailand.

The Groupe Casino has created supermarkets and hypermarkets in Vietnam; the largest one in Hanoi, 3 others in Saigon, 1 in Haiphong and 1 in Da Nang [cite web|url=http://www.bigc-vietnam.com/index.php?o=modules&n=seminar&f=seminar|title=Stores Location in Vietnam|accessdate=2007-12-26] .

The chain has become overwhelmingly successful in this country [cite web|url=http://www.bigc-vietnam.com/index.php?o=modules&n=make&f=make&idinfo=646|title=About Us in Vietnam|accessdate=2003-10-22] .

List of BigC locations

flagicon|THA Thailand

* Bangkok locations:
** Bangna
** Chaengwattana - The first store.
** Dao Kanong
** Donmuang - Formerly known as "Robinson Department Store Donmuang".
** Ekkamai - Compact store format.
** Fashion Island - Formerly known as "Central Department Store Fashion Island".
** Hua Mark - Formerly known as "Central Department Store Hua Mark".
** Ladprao - Formerly known as "Imperial Department Store World Ladprao".
** Phetkasem - Compact store format.
** Rajdamri - Formerly known as "Robinson Department Store Rajdamri"; now closed and relocated to Rajdamri 2 (Metropolis).
** Rajdamri 2 (Metropolis), Ratchaprasong - The flagship store.
** Rama II
** Rat Burana
** Saphan Kwai
** Sukhaphiban3
** Wong Sawang - Formerly known as "Central Superstore Wong Sawang".

* Chiang Mai locations:
** Chiang Mai - Formerly known as "Auchan Chiang Mai"
** Hang Dong

* Chonburi locations:
** Chonburi
** Pattaya Sai 2 - Compact store format.
** South Pattaya

* Nakhon Pathom locations:
** Nakhon Pathom
** Omyai - Compact store format.

* Nonthaburi locations:
** Rattanatibeth
** Tiwanon

* Pathumthani locations:
** Lam Lukka - Compact store format.
** Rangsit - Formerly known as "Save One Future Park Plaza Rangsit".

* Samut Prakan locations:
** Bangplee
** Samrong - Formerly known as "Imperial Department Store World Samrong".
** Samut Prakan
** Suksawat

* Surat Thani locations:
** Samui - Compact store format.
** Surat Thani

* Other locations:
** Ayuthaya
** Buri Ram - Compact store format.
** Chachoengsao - Compact store format.
** Chaiyaphum
** Chiang Rai
** Hat Yai (Songkhla)
** Khon Kaen
** Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima)
** Lampang
** Lamphun - Compact store format.
** Lop Buri
** Nakhon Sawan - Compact store format.
** Pattani - Compact store format.
** Phetchaburi
** Phitsanulok
** Phrae - Compact store format.
** Phuket
** Prachinburi - Compact store format.
** Rayong
** Ratchaburi - Compact store format.
** Sakon Nakhon - Compact store format.
** Surin - Compact store format.
** Ubonratchathani
** Udonthani

flagicon|VIE Vietnam

* Bien Hoa locations:
** Dong Nai - The first supermarket format.

* Ha Noi locations:
** Thang Long - The largest hypermarket format.

* Ho Chi Minh City locations:
** An Lac
** Hoang Van Thu
** Mien Dong

* Other locations:
** Hai Phong
** Da Nang

References

ee also

* Groupe Casino
* Central Group
* Hypermarket
* Supermarket
* Stock Exchange of Thailand
* Carrefour
* Tesco Lotus
* Auchan

External links

* [http://www.bigc.co.th BigC Thailand]
* [http://www.bigc-vietnam.com BigC Vietnam]