Exclusive | Thai supermarket chain Big C to enter Hong Kong next month, eyes dual listing, CEO says

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Big C Supercenter has acquired grocery chain AbouThai’s 24 stores in Hong Kong and will rebrand them as Big C, CEO Aswin Techajareonvikul says

The supermarket chain, which is owned by one of Thailand’s richest families, will seek a dual listing in Hong Kong and Bangkok as soon as the fourth quarter

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Big C Supercenter, a Thai supermarket chain, will enter Hong Kong market next month. Photo: Handout

Enoch Yiu

Published: 11:06am, 23 Aug 2023Updated: 2:05pm, 23 Aug 2023

Big C Supercenter, the Thai supermarket chain owned by one of the richest families in the Southeast Asian nation, will enter Hong Kong next month and also seek a dual listing in the city and Thailand as early as the fourth quarter, according to a top executive.

The Bangkok-headquartered retailer has acquired grocery chain AbouThai, which operates 24 outlets in the city, and will rebrand them as Big C starting next month, Aswin Techajareonvikul, CEO and president of Big C Retail Corp, said in an exclusive interview with the Post on Monday.

Aswin also separately met Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) CEO Nicolas Aguzin to discuss the group’s listing plan during his visit.

“We all believe in Hong Kong’s prospects and growth potential,” he said. “Even though there were some challenges during Covid-19, Hong Kong can bounce back quickly. Hong Kong is a leading financial hub in Asia linking Southeast Asian markets with mainland China.”

Aswin Techajareonvikul, CEO and president of Big C Retail Corp, is bullish on Hong Kong. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong is Big C’s first foray outside Southeast Asia, taking on some the city’s retailers including Wellcome and ParknShop. The retailer is part of billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s business empire, which includes Thai Beverage, the nation’s largest brewer and maker of Chang beer. Aswin is Charoen’s youngest son-in-law.