Been downstairs in the Central Floresta shopping centre recently? You may notice some changes.
The Central Group has expanding the “luxury zone” on the downstairs floor on the southern side of the large Central shopping complex.
And it’s continuing to grow. The area grow from 2,000 square metres at the end of this year to 4,000 square metres and then 8,000 metres by 2026. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana from the Central Pattana Group says Phuket is developing into a “top destination for global jet setters”.
“We opened the Central Phuket Festival in 2004, recognising the potential and huge spending power of the city. Later, in 2018, we opened Central Phuket Floresta to offer a luxury lifestyle comparable to world-class seaside cities such as the Riviera, Santorini, Miami Beach, and Hawaii.”
Khaosod English reports that the group’s customer database reveals that Central Phuket customers have the highest per capita spend of any Central shopping centre in Thailand. Overall, the luxury market in Thailand currently has a market value of 160 billion baht and is expected to surpass the Singapore market by 2028.
Wilaiwan Pitimanaree, Senior Director of Phuket Operations at Central Pattana, says the expansion at Central Floresta will include an increase in space for existing brands, along with the introduction of new brands. The number of brands available is increasing from 14 to 30 and includes Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Christian Louboutin, Dior, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Saint Laurent, and Versace.
Wilaiwan says the current customer base is 30% Thai and 70% foreign nationals, including shoppers from Russia, Europe, the Middle East, India, China, and the US.
“Both tourists and expatriates live and work in Phuket, totalling about 100,000 people. Phuket is becoming a shopping destination outside Bangkok, comparable to the world’s luxury destinations such as London and Singapore.”
In addition to the Floresta shopping centre, the Central Group currently has 3 other shopping centres on the island, as well as 5 department stores, 7 hotels, 3 condominium developments, and other group companies, such as Supersports, Power Buy, Thai Watsadu, BNB Home, B2S, OfficeMate, Tops Food Hall, Tops Market, Tops Daily and Tops Vita.
SOURCE: Khaosod English
