LOPIA Japan Opens in Thailand, Plans Export Production Base

Thansettakij•Economy•95d ago

Reader Briefing

Japanese supermarket chain LOPIA has launched its first store in Thailand, aiming to leverage the market's potential for expansion into Southeast Asia and establish a production base for exports.

•Japanese supermarket chain LOPIA has opened its first store in Thailand at Central Chalong, marking its second international market after Taiwan.
•LOPIA, part of OIC Group, sees Thailand as a strategic hub for Asian expansion due to its market potential, population, and purchasing power.
•The company plans to increase its original product percentage and potentially establish a production base in Thailand to serve both domestic and export markets.

Overview

•LOPIA JAPAN, Japan's number one supermarket, has officially opened its first branch in Thailand at Central Chalong.
•Thailand is the second country outside Japan for LOPIA's investment and the first in Southeast Asia, indicating strategic importance.
•Hitoshi Mizumoto stated that Thailand possesses high market potential due to its population, purchasing power, and consumer diversity, estimating Thai purchasing power to be 1.5 times higher than Taiwan's.
•Thailand is chosen as a strategic base and a "gateway to the region" for LOPIA's future expansion into ASEAN, leveraging its market size and growth potential.
•LOPIA plans to increase the proportion of its Original Products to around 60% and general food items to 30% of its total offerings.
•LOPIA is considering establishing a production base in Thailand to utilize local ingredients and supply chains for both domestic and export markets.
•LOPIA plans to open additional branches in Thailand over the next three years, with further expansion outside Central Group properties planned once the business is firmly established.
•Key challenges for LOPIA in Thailand include food import processes and FDA regulations, which require several months of preparation.

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Key Quotes

Hitoshi Mizumoto

"Thailand has high market potential in terms of population, purchasing power, and consumer diversity, with Thai purchasing power estimated to be about 1.5 times higher than Taiwan's."

ไทยมีศักยภาพเชิงตลาดสูง ทั้งด้านจำนวนประชากร กำลังซื้อ และความหลากหลายของผู้บริโภค โดยประเมินว่ากำลังซื้อของไทยสูงกว่าไต้หวันราว 1.5 เท่า

Key Entities

Organization

LOPIA JAPAN

Japan's number one supermarket chain that has opened its first branch in Thailand.

OIC Group

The parent group of LOPIA, with businesses ranging from livestock and food to import-export.

Person

Hitoshi Mizumoto(ฮิโตชิ มิซึโมโตะ)

Director of LOPIA and Head of Asia Regional Operations.

Place

Central Chalong(เซ็นทรัล แจ้งวัฒนะ)

The location of LOPIA's first official branch in Thailand.