Index Living Mall Public Company Limited (ILM) has announced a Strategic Move in the northeastern region to support the entry into The Next Big Wave. They are investing 280 million baht to relocate the "Index Living Mall Ubon Ratchathani" branch under the concept of ‘New Look, Bigger and More Comprehensive than Ever in Ubon’. The new location is set on the bypass road, aiming to become a destination for home lovers while enhancing home products and services to meet consumer demands and accommodate the urban expansion of lower northeastern Thailand. Spanning over 12,000 square meters, the store will feature a complete range of furniture, household items, and home decor solutions from over 10 brands, totaling more than 15,000 SKUs. The store will highlight four main features and offer a new shopping experience with modern architectural design that blends local culture and lifestyle, inspired by the "Rubber Tree," the provincial tree, reinforcing its position as No. 1 Furniture & Home Destination that truly caters to every home lifestyle.

Ms. Kritchanok Patmasathayasnithi, Managing Director of Index Living Mall Public Company Limited (ILM), a leader in the retail furniture, home goods, and home decor business, stated, "For over 20 years, the 'Index Living Mall Ubon Ratchathani' has been a part of countless homes for the people of Ubon. It has also been a strong foundation for us, given the potential of Ubon Ratchathani, the second-largest city in the northeastern region, which continues to see population growth and real estate expansion. With this potential, ILM is making a Strategic Move by investing 280 million baht to relocate the store to a new location on the bypass road. The Ubon branch has been in operation for a long time and is small, limiting our ability to introduce new products to enhance customer choices and increase sales capacity while supporting the growth of Ubon as the economic center of lower northeastern Thailand on over 12,000 square meters, aiming to be a landmark for lifestyle home products and reaffirming its status as No. 1 Furniture & Home Destination in lower northeastern Thailand."

The new location of Index Living Mall Ubon Ratchathani marks a significant step towards a “New Era of Home Inspiration”, redefining home inspiration to meet every need by providing a shopping experience through four key highlights:

  • NEW LOCATION - A larger space, expanding more than before to enhance the home shopping experience with a standalone building covering 12,672 square meters, designed with simplicity and openness, allowing seamless shopping across all zones. The product displays are designed to inspire complete home solutions, strategically located on the bypass road for convenient access in a rapidly expanding urban area.
  • NEW LOOK & NEW PRODUCTS DESIGN - A modern new look that incorporates local identity, inspired by the rubber tree (the provincial tree granted by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej). This design will be reflected in the store's exterior and interior decor, showcasing natural tones such as brick orange and brown, inspired by 'Sam Phan Bok', reflecting the beauty and identity of Ubon, creating a harmonious shopping experience.
  • NEW SERVICES - Enhanced services with a DESIGN STUDIO offering virtual room design from professional designers using advanced technology to meet every home space need, whether for standalone or built-in furniture. There will also be a VIP Lounge for special customer care and Index Home Service for renovations, solar installations, and moving large furniture by expert teams.
  • NEW Offers - Exclusive privileges such as a 1,000 baht cashback offer and special deals on flash sale items from 16:00 to 18:00 (only for 5 days) from March 27 to March 31, along with free gifts worth up to 5,990 baht for purchases. Special offers for Kasikorn Bank credit card holders will also be available.

Additionally, the grand opening of the Ubon Ratchathani branch will feature performances and traditional Isaan musical instruments, such as the Pong Lang and Kan, reflecting local culture and identity through music and dance. Special guest Professor Thingkorn Atthapiboon, a national cultural award winner in folk music, will perform a song composed specifically for this event. Attendees will also receive local souvenirs such as Silk and Handwoven Fabrics to promote local products while sharing the traditional lifestyle and wisdom unique to Ubon Ratchathani.

The building's design will also incorporate energy-saving features (Passive Design), including insulation installation, low-emissivity glass to filter out heat from sunlight, and plans for a 500-kilowatt solar rooftop installation. Furthermore, the building will be elevated by one meter to mitigate flood risks, and a systematic waste segregation system will be implemented to contribute to sustainable environmental practices.

ILM sees the potential of Ubon Ratchathani as it enters 'The Next Big Wave', a new economic wave growing in lower northeastern Thailand, driven by a population of over 1.86 million people (the third largest in the country) and a gross provincial product (GPP) valued at 1.3 to 1.4 trillion baht, the highest in the lower northeastern region. The retail and wholesale sector accounts for a significant 22%, propelling Ubon to become a true Retail Hub of the region, aligning with the ongoing urbanization trend growing at an average of 1.2% per year, especially as it expands from the city center towards the new ‘Ring Road Zone’ and ‘Bypass Zone’, particularly around Huai Wang Nong and the development of the city’s ring road, creating a new CBD that connects quality residential areas and elevates the region as a center for future living.

Ubon Ratchathani is also positioned as the ‘Gateway to the Economy of the Indochina Region’ through the strategic border checkpoint at Chong Mek, directly connecting with neighboring countries, making Ubon not just a crucial distribution point but also a magnet for purchasing power and creating borderless trade opportunities. The city also boasts significant tourism potential, welcoming visitors year-round with attractions like the unseen 'Sam Phan Bok' in the dry season, the 'Wax Candle Festival' in the rainy season, and the 'First Light of Siam' at Phu Taem in winter.

As we delve into the potential of the real estate market and lifestyle convergence, the real estate market in Ubon Ratchathani for 2025-2026 shows promising growth signals, particularly in single-family homes and townhouses priced between 2-5 million baht, which hold an 80% market share, alongside a continuous increase in upper-tier housing projects. Coupled with strong tourism that can accommodate visitors year-round, this will lead to growth in local hotels and accommodations. The key insight is that the working-age population (ages 15-59) is the primary demographic, which has purchasing power and is open to new housing trends that emphasize design and value. These factors present opportunities to meet the demand for home products and support the strong growth of ILM's Ubon Ratchathani branch.

Ms. Kritchanok stated that the relocation of the Ubon Ratchathani branch not only elevates the experience to a larger and more comprehensive level but also establishes a new landmark for a grand, complete, and modern lifestyle that fulfills every lifestyle need and serves as an inspiring space for home decoration for the people of Ubon. It also aims to drive growth alongside Ubon Ratchathani to boost the local economy, circulate funds within the province, and support local entrepreneurs while creating job opportunities for the local community. This aligns with the potential and strategies of Ubon Ratchathani to expand the growth of lower northeastern Thailand. The company has organized a roadshow to enhance awareness among existing customers while continuously expanding the new customer base (currently, ILM has approximately 24,000 JOY Members in Ubon and over 5,000 in nearby areas), expecting to add 300 new members per month. Additionally, special promotional events celebrating the store opening are expected to increase average monthly traffic to about 15,000 people and drive revenue to meet targets.