TOP 10 OPERATORS 2018 7: KING POWER INTERNATIONAL GROUP


7 Increased pax volumes and I


n an environment where passenger volumes through Thai airports grew +10.6% last year, King Power


International Group (KPIG) was pleased with its overall performance in 2017. Looking at improved tourist


numbers to Thailand in 2017 alone, it’s easy to see how KPIG’s retail sales grew in double-digits to reach $2.47bn in 2017. The year before that, the company generated duty free and travel retail sales of $2.1bn, an increase of +7-8% on 2015. Over the past two decades,


tourism arrivals have steadily increased. Last year saw the arrival of a reported 35.4m tourists from 32.6m in 2016. The biggest factor was a 12% growth in the number of Chinese visitors. With further increases on the horizon, this can only mean good news for KPIG and its downtown and airport operations. Susan Whelan, Senior Executive


Vice President, King Power International Group tells TRBusiness: “Retail sales were up 17.7% versus


the previous year, across the airport and downtown business. “This was achieved in an environment where passenger


OCTOBER 2018


volumes through the airports in Thailand grew by 10.6% and where the number of visitors to our downtown stores increased by 18.6%.” Last year over 75m pax travelled


through Thailand’s airports, which include Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai. In addition, KPIG welcomed more


than 6m visitors, or an average of 16,500 customers per day to its downtown operations (Rangnam, Srivaree, Pattaya and Phuket). “This year has seen a steady


increase in passenger arrivals to Thailand,” says Whelan. “Traffic across the international airports is up by an average of nearly 11%. Best performers are Chiang Mai, where traffic has increased by more than 15% and Phuket were passenger numbers have risen by almost 25%.”


Downtown business On the downtown front, visitor numbers in the corresponding period are up by 36%. The increased footfall is partly attributed to the expansion of the downtown Srivaree shop and redevelopment of the


Rangnam Road complex, which have continued to drive growth in the downtown locations. Speaking of the THB2.5bn ($74m)


Rangnam Road development, the unveiling of which took place on 18 January and was attended by TRBusiness, KPIG is pleased with the sales and customer response. Merchandise across the 22,000sq


m facility includes a comprehensive selection of world-renowned global luxury brands and boutiques in categories including beauty, watches, sunglasses and locally- sourced souvenirs. These are flanked by a thoughtful mix of Thai and


“Traffic across the international airports is up by an average of nearly 11%. Best performers are Chiang Mai, where traffic has increased by more than 15% and Phuket were passenger numbers have risen by almost 25%.”


Susan Whelan, Senior Executive Vice President, King Power International Group


downtown visitors buoy KPIG


Retail sales were up +17.7% in 2017 across King Power International Group’s airport and downtown businesses and with passenger arrivals to Thailand steadily increasing, the retailer is set for another successful year. Andrew Pentol reports.


Above: Passengers can choose from an array of leading beauty and liquor brands at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.


TOP 10 OPERATORS 55


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