Mr. Yann Phokthap, Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited, stated that Central Retail is ready to proceed with the opening of all nine business groups under its umbrella, adhering to stringent public health measures to instill confidence in safety and strictly control the spread of COVID-19. On the first day of reopening, September 1, 2021, the atmosphere was lively, and there was a positive response from customers, as many were eager to return to normal life and missed shopping in-store, where they could select products, physically interact with items, receive services, and seek advice from staff to find products that match their needs and lifestyles.


Mr. Yann Phokthap, Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited

In this reopening of Central Retail stores, we place great importance on strict public health measures and are committed to adhering to the policies of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) rigorously, ensuring that employees and customers can trust in cleanliness and safety. This will also help our business partners recover and return to normal sales levels, promoting the retail sector in Thailand to move forward and support employment across the economy. We anticipate that the situation in the country will continue to improve over the last four months of 2021, with retail business figures in the fourth quarter expected to grow by about 5% compared to the previous year.

As for the enhancement of public health measures in Central Retail stores, under the Universal Prevention framework, it includes:
· Strict adherence to the “D-M-H-T-T” measures from the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health.
· Customers, employees, and visitors must wear masks and have their temperatures checked before entering the stores.
· Hand sanitizer stations are provided throughout the stores and checked every two hours to ensure they are replenished.
· COVID-19 screening for employees before entering the premises using ATK tests, with random checks conducted weekly.
· Regular cleaning and disinfection of sales areas and escalator handrails with disinfectants and UVC machines after closing every day, including sanitizing products that customers directly touch through ozone treatment after each use.
· Designated distancing points at all entrances and service areas, limiting store entry to one person per 5 square meters, with a strict counting system in place.
· Minimizing contact, with cash being separated for disinfection through ozone and UVC treatment, and only sanitized change being given to customers.
· Controlling air circulation (Air Change) to exceed 10 times and enhancing disinfection with ozone and UVC in the air conditioning system at all times.

“Although we all have to live with COVID-19 for a while longer, this easing of restrictions is a positive sign for the economy and a testament to the cooperation between the public and private sectors in alleviating the crisis and revitalizing the country. Central Retail is pleased to welcome and serve customers once again. We are ready to do everything possible to ensure the highest level of confidence for our employees, partners, and customers, providing the best shopping experience that is safe and worry-free, whether shopping in-store or through our omnichannel platforms,” Mr. Yann concluded.