TRA Urges Govt Stimulus to Drive Retail Growth in 2026

MGR Online•Economy•6d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai Retailers Association proposes the ACT strategy and government stimulus measures to address weak purchasing power and target growth for 2026 and 2027.

•The Thai Retailers Association (TRA) predicts the 2026 retail market will reach 4.38 trillion baht with 3% growth.
•Nat Wongpanich identifies a K-shaped recovery where SMEs and small businesses recover slower than export and digital sectors.
•TRA proposes three main pillars: Advancing Inclusive & Fair Growth, Capability Building for Future-Ready Retail, and Together for Sustainable Growth.
•TRA suggests government measures including Instant VAT Refund, Easy E-Receipt, and hourly employment for elderly people.

Overview

•The Thai Retailers Association expects the 2026 retail market to be valued at 4.38 trillion baht, growing by 3%.
•The Thai Retailers Association projects 2027 growth at 3–3.5%, potentially reaching 4.51–4.53 trillion baht if supported by tourism and investment.
•Nat Wongpanich reports a K-shaped recovery where consumers spend less per transaction, reflecting contracted purchasing power.
•The Thai Retailers Association is implementing the "ACT" strategy to upgrade the retail sector and create inclusive growth.
•The Thai Retailers Association proposes an Instant VAT Refund for purchases of at least 3,000 baht to attract tourists.
•The Thai Retailers Association warns of risks including high household debt, tight business credit, and competition from cheap imported goods.
•The Thai Retailers Association urges the government to manage non-standard cheap imports and nominee businesses to ensure fair competition.
•Nat Wongpanich emphasizes that hourly and elderly employment is more sustainable than short-term stimulus for increasing purchasing power.

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Key Quotes

Nat Wongpanich

"The key challenge for entrepreneurs is not just 'making sales' but managing costs, supply chains, and customer data more efficiently."

โจทย์สำคัญของผู้ประกอบการจึงไม่ใช่เพียง ‘ทำยอดขาย’ แต่ต้องบริหารต้นทุน ห่วงโซ่อุปทาน และข้อมูลลูกค้าให้มีประสิทธิภาพมากขึ้น

Key Entities

Organization

Thai Retailers Association(สมาคมผู้ค้าปลีกไทย)

An association that assesses retail business directions and proposes economic strategies to the government.

European Union(สหภาพยุโรป)ℹ️

An entity with which the Thai Retailers Association proposes a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to reduce import prices.

BOI

An organization urged by the Thai Retailers Association to support retail investment in specific regions.

Person

Nat Wongpanich(ณัฐ วงศ์พานิช)

President of the Thai Retailers Association.

Place

Phuket(ภูเก็ต)ℹ️

A tourist province proposed as a pilot area for import tax reductions to attract shoppers.

Policy

Easy E-Receipt

A government spending stimulus measure proposed for reuse by the Thai Retailers Association.

Kon La Khrueng Plus(คนละครึ่ง Plus)

A proposed government stimulus project to encourage domestic spending.

Thai Chuay Thai Plus(ไทยช่วยไทย Plus)

A proposed government stimulus project to encourage domestic spending.