Mr. Yann Phokthap, Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited (CRC) stated that in the first quarter, Central Retail has once again made a remarkable impact in the retail sector, achieving sales growth that exceeded targets with a leap of 16%, setting a new record for profits. The total revenue reached 56.274 billion baht (+15% YoY), EBITDA was 6.622 billion baht (+23% YoY), and net profit was 1.324 billion baht (+189% YoY). The growth of same-store sales (SSSG) in Q1 was 11%, showing positive trends in Thailand, Vietnam, and Italy. Meanwhile, overall omnichannel sales also grew by 44%, demonstrating that Central Retail's omnichannel platform, which focuses on customer-centricity, allows us to meet customer needs across all channels simultaneously. As a result, Central Retail has gained millions more omni customers. Additionally, we have leveraged digital technology to enhance speed and reduce complexity in operations, alongside managing expenses and supply chains to ensure the company remains robust amid various uncertainties, including the declining phase of COVID-19 (Covid end stage), which is a positive sign for the economy, but there are still ongoing global inflation issues and the Russia-Ukraine conflict that could have negative impacts and require close monitoring.

For the 2022 plan, Central Retail is set to aggressively enter the market with an investment budget of over 20 billion baht to develop and improve core businesses, accelerate the expansion of new business models, and invest further in digital technology to enhance the CRC Ecosystem. This includes expanding the omnichannel platform to better meet customer needs and provide an improved experience for everyone. Throughout this year, Central Retail plans to launch new businesses, products, and services in the retail sector in Thailand, Vietnam, and Italy as follows:

Thailand - Reinforcing its position as the number one leader in the omnichannel platform across hardline, food, fashion, and property sectors through branch improvements, expansions, and the launch of new business models including:
• Expanding over 300 new branches throughout the year, including main stores in each business such as Robinson Lifestyle malls, Robinson department stores, Thai Watsadu, and Tops, as well as other specialty stores. We will also continue to expand new formats such as Tops Standalone after receiving excellent feedback from the first branch, along with other new formats targeting new markets and accelerating the growth of the new Health & Wellness business group.

• Launching new platforms and services in both food and non-food categories, such as the Thai Watsadu mobile application, set to launch in May this year, reinforcing our position as the number one omnichannel retailer in the construction materials and home decor market in Asia. Additionally, we will introduce the Tops Prime service, a subscription model offering unlimited free delivery, perfectly catering to the lifestyle of modern consumers, along with many more new services throughout this year.

• Upgrading Robinson Lifestyle malls by adding new stores and brands, enhancing local themes, and developing malls in high-potential locations into mixed-use formats in collaboration with leading partners to create condominiums alongside shopping centers, increasing traffic and providing greater convenience for customers.

Vietnam – Reinforcing leadership in the food business, shopping centers, and omnichannel platforms after sales through the platform in the first quarter grew double-digit at 88% compared to the previous year. The GO! application has also become one of the most popular shopping apps in Vietnam, and we are accelerating the expansion of new offline branches throughout the year, including one GO! shopping center and hypermarket, 12 mini go! supermarkets, and 70 other non-food stores, aiming to build a strong business base covering both middle and lower markets in response to Vietnam's economic growth, which is projected to reach 6% GDP in 2022.

Italy - Reinforcing leadership in luxury omnichannel through continuous improvements in branches and online channels. In the first quarter, over 3 million customers visited the Rinascente website, a 64% increase from the previous year. We are also continuously renovating Rinascente department stores to modernize them and accommodate the increased traffic from both local customers and tourists. After Q1 2022, traffic increased by 58%, and we are confident that sales in Italy will grow by double digits this year due to the easing of COVID-19 lockdowns and the return of global tourists.

“2022 is another year filled with challenges, but with Central Retail's clear and actionable business plan, along with ongoing investment and acquisition strategies, we are highly confident that Central Retail will close 2022 with sales growth of 15-20% as targeted, reinforcing our position as a leader in the future of retail and becoming the number one Omni-Centric Retailer in Asia,” Mr. Yann concluded.