Big C, or
Big C Supercenter (), is a grocery and general merchandising retailer headquartered in
Bangkok,
Thailand. It's the first
hypermarket chain in Thailand, managed under the umbrella of
Groupe Casino. It has operation in 3 countries, such as
Thailand,
Vietnam and
Laos.
The company was founded by Central Group in 1993 and opened its first store in Wong Sawang intersection, Bangkok, under brand of Central Superstore, a Central Department Store subsidiary. It is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET code: BIGC) in 1995.
History
Beginning
Central Group founded
Central Superstore Wong Sawang intersection in 1993, a
Central Department Store subsidiary. It began to sell groceries from
Central Supermarket and private label clothing from Central Department Store and
Central Trading, under self-service store concept. The Big C brand first launched on 15 January 1994, first mean and refer to
"Big Central". The first Big C store was opened on Chaengwattana Road in Bangkok.
1990s
Save One Rangsit was changed to Big C Supercenter in 1995, the first store outside Bangkok. And same this year, Central Superstore Company Limited changed name to Big C Supercenter Public Company Limited, is listed on the
Stock Exchange of Thailand (
SET code: BIGC) with S.K. Garment PLC. holding majority stake.
Big C launched store concept of a single floor at Bangphlee in 1996, integrated super center with enormous space of 12,000 square meters and well-designed layout and decorations to facilitate shopping convenience. Highly efficient design function contributes significantly to lower operating costs.
Merged with Groupe Casino
After
Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, Big C Supercenter PLC. decides to form a business alliance with France-based
Groupe Casino, known for
Géant. Groupe Casino bought 530 million shares of capital increase in 1999, making them the largest shareholder after the company's recapitalization. After securing the controlling stake in Big C, the Groupe Casino decides to sell the entire garment business in order to concentrate only on the retail activity and strengthen the efficiency of the current operation.
2000s
Big C extended for opening times form 8:00 a.m.- midnight and launched of the
Big C website in 2000. After two years, Big C launched a
hard-discount supermarket chain,
Leader Price by Big C, an affiliate store similar
Leader Price brand of the
Groupe Casino. In same year, Big C had launched the first credit card,
Big C Credit Card and
Big C Hire-Purchase.
Big C Foundation () was also launched in this year, 2002, the main objectives of the Big C Foundation include providing necessary assistance and support for children in terms of education, and offering opportunities for education to those suffering as a result of social abuses or the drug trade.
Big C developed and expanded Compact Store store concept in 2005. The compact stores each require an investment of between Bt300 million and Bt400 million, and have an average retail space of 5,000-6,000 square metres but Big C's standard stores have retail space of about 10,000 square metres and require an investment of between Bt600 million and Bt700 million. Same this year, Big C Shopper Card launched which was a hire-purchase card by the end of May 2005.
In next year, Leader Price by Big C remodeled into Mini Big C (), a convenience store with 24-hour service. Big C have new brand store format in July 2010, Big C Junior (). It's a small size between compact store and supermarket.
, Vietnam.]]
Go to Global Brand
Big C had expanded the first outside Thailand store in 2004,
Vietnam. After
Groupe Casino started supermarkets under the name of
Casino Supermarket in 1998, but Casino Supermarket was unsuccessful, wasn't acknowledge and unpopular for
Vietnamese. The Casino Supermarket in Vietnam renamed to Big C brand, remodeled all stores in Vietnam to same store format in Thailand. And in 2010 Big C announced in Thailand, will be open the first store in
Laos on late 2011.
Acquisition of Carrefour in Thailand
On November 2010, Big C wins a bid to buy the 42
Carrefour branches in Thailand for €868 million (35.4 billion baht). After the acquisition,
Groupe Casino, whose Thai subsidiary is Big C Supercenter PLC., will own 111 hypermarkets against Tesco's 87. However, if other retail formats are included, Tesco has 704 stores nationwide.
Big C and Carrefour branches in Thailand had the first co-promotion on January 2011, before Carrefour Thailand stores rebranded to Big C. And March 2011, Carrefour Suwintawong is the first changed brand store to Big C.
Present
On 2 February 2011, Big C Rajdamri 2 (Metropolis) Branch had reopened again after set on fire when the
Red Shirts anti government protestors. Big C changed name of Big C Junior to
Big C Market () and launched a premium hypermarket store brand on May 2011,
Big C Extra (). The first store of Big C Extra is Ladprao, formerly known as
Carrefour Ladprao.
Brands and Store Formats
Big C
Big C () is a hypermarket/supercenter brand format, which sells consumer products and foodstuffs.The stores have five main sale categories: fresh food, dry foods, clothing, home decor and electrical appliances.
Their store formats inculde:
Standard Store - A full-scale format, around 8,000-30,000 square meters.
Compact Store - Smaller than standard store format, between 4,000-8,000 square meters.
Mini Compact Store - This format is a the smallest store. The store size is smaller than 4,000 square meters.
Flagship Store - A upscale hypermarket format, the first located on Rajdamri Road, near Ratchaprasong intersection. This format is targeted for foreign customers.
Online Store - Early 2010, Big C launched the first online shopping store in Thailand, @BIGClick. Customers choose 'n' pay products on the website, and pickup the products at only the Big C stores in Bangkok.
Big C Extra
Big C Extra () is a new brand concept, since May 2011. It's a premium hypermarket store, concept is
"bigger and better". The first store opened on
Lat Phrao Road, formerly known as
Carrefour Ladprao, after renovated a Carrefour store format.
Big C Market (Big C Junior)
Big C Market () or
Big C Junior () is a small Big C Supercenter format. It's size between compact store and general supermarket. The first store is
Saraburi on 5 July 2010, inside Tawekit Complex shopping mall, under brand of Big C Junior. After merged Carrefour of Thailand, Big C had changed some stores of Carrefour to Big C Junior format. Big C announced about name of Big C Junior on 17 May 2011, changed to
Big C Market.
Mini Big C
Mini Big C () is
convenience store with 24-hour service. It has size of store around 80-120
square meters, smaller than
Tesco Lotus Express and
Carrefour City.
Pure by Big C
Pure by Big C () is a health and beauty store chain, look like
Watsons and
Boots store. It sell prescription medicines, supplements, herbal, cosmetics and personal care products.
Defunct Brands and Store Formats
Leader Price by Big C
Leader Price by Big C () was a
hard-discount supermarket chain, launched on March 2002, store format similar
Leader Price brand of the
Groupe Casino, store size around 150-500
square meters. It sold the own brand products, and some leader brand products but not all categories. After 2005, Big C had remodel this brand into
Mini Big C (). Before remodeled this brand, Leader Price by Big C had five stores in Thailand; that is
Wongwian Yai,
Asoke-Sukhumvit, Nawanakhon, Pracha Songkhro and Senanikhom.
Big C Town Center
Big C Town Center () is a shopping rental spaces. It have a lot of formats, for example;
shopping center,
community mall,
power center,
lifestyle center etc. In Shopping spaces have Big C store and four main shop-categories; that is restaurants, entertainment, specialty stores and services.
Big C Foundation
Big C Foundation () have main objectives include providing necessary assistance and support for children in terms of education, and offering opportunities for education to those suffering as a result of social abuses or the drug trade.
List of Big C locations
Thailand
Bangkok locations:
* Bangbon - formerly known as Carrefour Bangbon.
* Bangna
* Bangpakok - formerly known as Carrefour Bangpakok.
* Chaengwattana - The first Big C store.
* Dao Khanong
* Donmuang - formerly known as Robinson Department Store Donmuang.
* Ekkamai - Compact store format.
* Fashion Island - formerly known as Central Department Store Fashion Island.
* Hua Mark - formerly known as Central Department Store Hua Mark.
* Issaraphap - formerly known as Carrefour Issaraphap.
* Ladprao - formerly known as Imperial Department Store Ladprao, in Imperial World Ladprao.
* Nongchok - formerly known as Carrefour Nongchok.
* Pracha Utit - formerly known as Carrefour Pracha Utit.
* Phetkasem - Compact store format.
* Rajdamri - formerly known as Robinson Department Store Rajdamri; now closed and relocated to Rajdamri 2 (Metropolis).
* Rajdamri 2 (Metropolis), Ratchaprasong - The first flagship store.
* Rama II
* Rama II 2 - formerly known as Carrefour Rama II.
* Rat Burana
* Romklao - formerly known as Carrefour Romklao.
* Saphan Kwai
* Suan Luang - formerly known as Carrefour Suan Luang.
* Sukhaphiban 1 - formerly known as Carrefour Sukhaphiban 1.
* Sukhaphiban 3
* Suwintawong - formerly known as Carrefour Suwintawong.
* Wong Sawang - formerly known as Central Superstore Wong Sawang.
Chachoengsao locations:
* Chachoengsao - Compact store format.
* Chachoengsao 2 - formerly known as Carrefour Chachoengsao.
Chiang Mai Province locations:
* Chiang Mai (Aka: Don Jan) - formerly known as Auchan Chiang Mai
* Hang Dong
* Hang Dong 2 - formerly known as Carrefour Hang Dong.
Chonburi Province locations:
* Chonburi
* CentralPlaza Chonburi - formerly known as Carrefour CentralPlaza Chonburi.
* Pattaya Sai 2 - in CentralCenter Pattaya Second Road near Soi 2
* South Pattaya - Sukhumvit Road near Pattaya Tai
Lop Buri locations:
* Lop Buri
* Lop Buri 2 - formerly known as Carrefour Lop Buri.
Nakhon Pathom Province locations:
* Nakhon Pathom
* Omyai - Compact store format.
Nonthaburi Province locations:
* Bangyai - formerly known as Carrefour Bangyai.
* Rattanatibeth
* Rattanatibeth 2 - formerly known as Carrefour Rattanatibeth.
* Tiwanon
* Chaengwattana 2 - formerly known as Carrefour Chaengwattana.
Pathum Thani Province locations:
* Khlong 3 - formerly known as Carrefour Khlong 3.
* Lam Lukka - Compact store format.
* Lam Lukka Khlong 4 - formerly known as Carrefour Lam Lukka Khlong 4.
* Nawanakhon
* Rangsit - formerly known as Save One Rangsit, in Future Park Plaza Rangsit.
* Rangsit 2 - formerly known as Carrefour Rangsit.
* Rangsit Khlong 6
Ratchaburi Province locations:
* Ratchaburi
* Ban Pong
Rayong locations:
* Rayong
* Laem Thong - formerly known as Laem Thong Department Store Rayong, in Laem Thong Shopping Complex Rayong.
Samut Prakan Province locations:
* Bangplee
* Samrong - formerly known as Imperial Department Store Samrong, in Imperial World Samrong.
* Samrong 2 - formerly known as Carrefour Samrong.
* Samut Prakan
* Si Nakharin - formerly known as Carrefour Si Nakharin.
* Suksawat
Songkhla Province locations:
* Hat Yai
* Hat Yai 2 (Aka: Kho Hong) - formerly known as Carrefour Hat Yai.
Surat Thani Province locations:
* Samui - Compact store format.
* Surat Thani
Ubon Ratchathani locations:
* Ubon Ratchathani
* Warin Chamrap
Udonthani locations:
* Udonthani
* Udonthani 2 - formerly known as Carrefour Udonthani.
Other locations:
* Amnat Charoen
* Ayutthaya
* Bueng Kan
* Buri Ram - Compact store format.
* Chaiyaphum
* Chiang Rai
* Chumphon - formerly known as Carrefour Chumphon.
* Kamphaeng Phet
* Khon Kaen
* Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima)
* Krabi
* Lampang
* Lamphun - The first Compact store format.
* Maha Sarakham
* Mahachai (Samut Sakhon Province)
* Nakhon Sawan
* Nakhon Si Thammarat - formerly known as Carrefour Nakhon Si Thammarat.
* Pattani - Compact store format.
* Phayao
* Phetchabun
* Phetchaburi
* Phitsanulok
* Phuket
* Prachinburi
* Phrae - Compact store format.
* Prachinburi - Compact store format.
* Sa Kaeo
* Sakon Nakhon - Compact store format.
* Sisaket
* Sukhothai
* Surin - Compact store format.
* Yasothon
Vietnam
Dong Nai locations:
* Bien Hoa - The first store in Vietnam.
Ha Noi locations:
* Thang Long - The largest hypermarket format in Vietnam.
* The Garden (in the new urban area of My Dinh)
Ho Chi Minh City locations:
* An Lac
* Hoang Van Thu
* Mien Dong
* Go Vap
* Phu Thanh
Other locations:
* Hai Phong
* Da Nang
* Hue
* Vinh
* Vinh Phuc
* Nam Dinh
List of Big C Extra locations
Thailand
Bangkok locations:
* Ladprao - The first Big C Extra store and formerly known as Carrefour Ladprao.
* On Nut - formerly known as Carrefour On Nut.
* Phetkasem (Aka: Nong Khaem) - formerly known as Carrefour Phetkasem.
* Rama IV - formerly known as Carrefour Rama IV.
* Ram Inthra - formerly known as Carrefour Ram Inthra.
* Ratchadapisek - formerly known as Carrefour Ratchadapisek.
* Sukhaphiban 3 - formerly known as Carrefour Sukhaphiban 3.
Chonburi Province locations:
* Chonburi - formerly known as Carrefour Chonburi.
* Pattaya (Aka: Central Pattaya) - formerly known as Carrefour Pattaya.
Other locations:
* Chiang Mai (Aka: Chiang Mai Business Park) - formerly known as Carrefour Chiang Mai.
* Phuket (Aka: Patong) - formerly known as Carrefour Phuket, in Jungceylon Patong.
List of Big C Market (Big C Junior) locations
Thailand
Bangkok locations:
* Bang Pho - formerly known as Carrefour Bang Pho.
* Hatairat - formerly known as Carrefour Market Hatairat.
* Keha Romklao - formerly known as Carrefour Market Keha Romklao.
* Sai Mai - formerly known as Carrefour Sai Mai.
* Sukhaphiban 5 - formerly known as Carrefour Sukhaphiban 5.
Other locations:
* Phang Nga
* Saraburi - The first Big C Junior store.
List of Mini Big C locations
Thailand
Bangkok locations:
* Chalam Nimit
* Chaloem Phra Kiat
* Chinnakhet
* Krungthon Market
* La Salle 24
* Ladprao 101
* Ladprao 112
* Ladprao 130
* Moo Ban Sahakorn
* Pattanakarn 20
* Senanikhom - Remodeled from Leader Price by Big C store.
* Udomsuk - The first Mini Big C store.
* Udomsuk 51
Nakhon Pathom Province locations:
* Salaya
* Don Wai
Nonthaburi Province locations:
* Buathong Village
* Phra Pin 3
* Tha It
* Thipphimarn
* Urban Square - formerly known as Carrefour City Urban Square.
Pathum Thani Province locations:
* Nawanakhon - Remodeled from Leader Price by Big C store.
* Rangsit Khlong 2
Samut Prakan Province locations:
* Bangplee
* Bor Thong
List of Pure by Big C locations
Thailand
Bangkok locations:
* Esplanade Ratchadapisek - now closed.
* Rajdamri - now closed and changed to other shop.
* Rajdamri 2
* Rama II
* Saphan Kwai
Nakhon Pathom Province locations:
* Nakhon Pathom
* Omyai
Nonthaburi Province locations:
* Rattanathibeth
* Tiwanon
Pathum Thani Province locations:
* Rangsit
Rayong locations:
* Rayong
* Laem Thong
Samut Prakan Province locations:
* Bangplee
* Samrong
* Suksawat
Ubon Ratchathani locations:
* Ubon Ratchathani
* Warin Chamrap
Other locations:
* Chiangrai
* Hang Dong (Chiang Mai Province) - The first Pure by Big C store.
* Hat Yai (Songkhla Province)
* Kamphaeng Phet
* Khon Kaen
* Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima)
* Lampang
* Lop Buri
* Mahachai (Samut Sakhon Province)
* Nakhon Sawan
* Phang Nga (Big C Junior Phang Nga)
* Phitsanulok
* Phuket
* Tawekit (Big C Junior Saraburi)
* Udonthani
See also
Groupe Casino
Central Group
Hypermarket
Supermarket
Stock Exchange of Thailand
Carrefour
Tesco Lotus
Auchan
References
External links
Big C Thailand
Big C Vietnam
@BIGClick - The online store by Big C Thailand.
BigC $ave - The discount coupons online website for use in stores of Thailand.
Google finance, Big C Supercenter Public Company Limited
Category:Companies of Vietnam
Category:Companies of France
Category:Discount stores
Category:Supermarkets
Category:Retail companies of Thailand
Category:Central Group