The Great Chinese New Year 2024

Editorial staff

Central Pattana Plc, SET-listed property and retail developer, has joined hands with Central Department Store Group to spend 500 million baht to launch a Chinese New Year campaign, aimed at spurring shopping spending in the first quarter of this year.

Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, chief marketing officer at Central Pattana Plc, said that CPN and Central Department Store have launched its ‘The Great Chinese New Year 2024’ campaign from now till February 20, 2024 at 39 Central shopping centers nationwide to stimulate purchasing, boost the economy, and promote tourism in the first quarter of this year.

To welcome the auspicious year , it has also joined hands with other leading partners, including NGG Enterprise Co., Ltd, Central The1 Credit Card, Citi Credit Card, Government Savings Bank Credit Card, Krungsri Credit Card, KTC Credit Card, CardX Credit Car, SCB Credit Card, TTB Credit Card, Thanachart Credit Card, UOB Credit Card and Jubilee Enterprise Plc for Chinese New Year campaign, targeting three target groups including Thai-Chinese consumers, the new generation and tourists– in particular, Malaysian and Chinese tourists, which are among the top tourist groups visiting Thailand.

‘’We welcome tourists who decide to spend the New Year and Chinese New Year in Thailand,’’ Mr Nattakit said.

According to Economics Tourism and Sports Division, there is a cumulative total of 28 million tourists based on Tourism Authority of Thailand’s data. The highest number of tourists entering Thailand is from Malaysia (4.5 million) and China (3.5 million). The continuous increase in Chinese tourists is attributed to the visa-free policy. It is anticipated that this trend will align with the government's target in the year 2024.

The company will achieve its successful campaign via three strategies. They include the collaboration with Jeanne Detallante, a renowned French artist with numerous global brand partnerships, crafting Central shopping centers and department stores into the Dragon Kingdom.
Celebrating local identity across regions with artistic showcases and featuring a spectacular dragon head display in the heart of the city at Central @ CentralWorld culinary delights at the Chinese market in Central shopping centers nationwide.

Joining the first-ever ceremony to pay homage to Cai Shen -God of wealth, God of fortune, led by Thai astrologist & feng shui master , Chang Tossaporn Sritula, at CentralWorld.
Central Shopping Complex and Central Department Store also provide a wide range of Chinese New Year assortment and auspicious products in every category and special products only at Central department stores.

Furthermore, the Chinese Market gathers a wide array of products, including fashion, beauty, and home items, providing a one-stop service. It also prepares privilege for all tourists across 15 shopping centers in tourist destinations.

“We see opportunity and potential for growth in the Thai economy throughout the first quarter as Thai and foreign tourists are seen to continue with their spending after the new year, and we want to extend the shopping vibe for consumers towards Chinese New Year,” Natira Boonsri, chief executive officer, Central Department Stores Group under Central Retail, said.

Mr Nattakit adds that the retail situation in 2024 would be better than last year due to free visa policy has drawn more foreign tourists in particular China to the kingdom. While the shopping spending domestically seems to be more active due to the government’s tax deduction scheme, Easy E-Receipt, from 10-20 February 2024 will also help promote the purchasing power of consumers.

“With our offering, customer traffic at Central Shopping Complexes is expected to increase by 20% and expect more than 15 billion baht in cash flow throughout the campaign. The overall retail outlook in 2024 will be better than 2023 due to free visa policy and number of Chinese tourists travelling to Thailand is healthier,’’ Mr Nattakit said.

He adds that it has a challenge of the world’s economic situation. War will also impact to tourist ‘s sentiment while the growth of domestic economy will depend on the government’s spending on stimulating local consumption.
However, the company plans to open two new shopping complexes in Nakhon Sawan and Nakhon Prathom this year.