Upcoming sale of New Year baskets to grow over 20% in Thailand

BANGKOK, November 13 (TNA) - Sale volumes of New Year baskets for the upcoming year-end and new-era festivity on the domestic market are expected to grow by over 20 per cent year-on-year. Pattaraporn Penprapat, Deputy Managing Director for Marketing and Public Relations at Central Food Retail Group (CFG), made the assessment on Monday, attributing the positive prospect to the rising consumer purchasing power due mainly to this year's shopping stimulus scheme, launched by the Thai government from November 11 to December 3, during which consumers can each have their bills on purchased goods up to 15,000 baht deducted from their personal income tax in 2017. Pattaraporn projected this year end's shopping stimulus program should generate a total sale value of as high as 2.8-3.0 billion baht nationwide, a 20-25 per cent surge from last year's. Pattaraporn announced that CFG will also promote geographical indication (GI) products from the local farm sector to become part of the modern trade by helping develop their packaging features and styles to be more attractive for consumers' demand. According to the CFG deputy chief, there have been 16 local GI operators joining in the packaging development program so far this year and additional 10 operators next year, with those selected by CFG will be promoted on the shelves of the Central Food Hall, Tops Market and Tops SUPERSTORE across the country. GI is a sign used on unique products that have their specific geographical origins with renowned quality due to the specific origins. (TNA)