TThe Thai retail industry may have a better competitive edge if Big C Supercentre or Berli Jucker takes over the local operations of Carrefour. Otherwise, the industry will be monopolised in the near future if the French brand’s outlets are acquired by Tesco.

Currently, the retail business in Thailand is in effect an oligopoly, dominated by a few large companies. Retailers, therefore, have high bargaining power with suppliers. Although customers have enjoyed the resultant low-price policy of these retailers, consumers may suffer in the long run when the industry is dominated by only one retailer.

Carrefour, a French conglomerate and the world’s second-largest retailer, is planning to leave Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and is seeking offers for its units in these countries. Many companies have shown interest in taking over Carrefour’s outlets, of which there are now 41 in Thailand.

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Worries of monopoly In retaIl sector

Thailand’s real GDP is projected to grow by 3 to 3.5% next year (2010).

Central Retail Corp could be in the running to take over Carrefour’s hypermarket business in Thailand, estimated to be worth US$500 million (Bt16.2 billion) to $600 million, as the French retailer is seeking to dispose of its Southeast Asia assets.

Domestic political turbulence has aggravated the economic impact of the global recession.

To raise returns given weak global demand, Thailand needs ensuring political stability and improving skills, human capital, and infrastructure services can help offset the decline in returns to private investment arising from lower world growth rates. “Software” (regulations, management, and quality of services) is as important as the “hardware” (infrastructure, subsidies).

Thai Kem Kaeng program is relatively quick-disbursing and focuses on the hardware (~70% is for construction and equipment). It compensates fall in on-budget investment next year but may not be sufficient to address constraints to long-term growth (which requires reforms to the software) and rebalancing the economy towards domestic demand.

Thailand should take the opportunity during the next few years to strengthen its productivity and competitiveness so that when demand resumes, Thailand will be in a position to jump the band wagon of global recovery. To do so requires serious efforts of all stakeholders in Thailand including the government, private sector, and academia. As these improvements take time, for Thailand to achieve them in time for the projected global recovery, the efforts must start right away.

Worries of monopoly In retaIl sector