Ek-Chai Distribution System, the operator of Lotus's hypermarkets, has launched Lotus's North Ratchapruek, its smart community centre flagship store in an attempt to attract lifestyle customers.
In addition to the 1.5-billion-baht Lotus's project, the retail atmosphere on Bangkok's Ratchapruek Road has been intensifying, with a Robinson Lifestyle outlet scheduled to open on Nov 17 with a gross floor area of 50,000 square metres.
SET-listed Central Pattana also plans to build Central WestVille in the area in the fourth quarter of next year with an investment of 6.2 billion baht.
Sompong Rungnirattisai, chief executive of Ek-Chai Distribution System, said Lotus's North Ratchapruek has a gross floor area of 47,330 sq m, of which 4,500 sq m is for a hypermarket offering more than 28,000 items, of which 13,000 are food products.
The two-storey building also features 130 shops located in a net leasable area of 10,000 sq m, including restaurants, shops selling sports gear and fashion, and entertainment options in the mall.
"The opening of Lotus's North Ratchapruek marks a new chapter for Lotus's, part of our ambition to be a smart community centre that makes customers' lives easier every day," said Mr Sompong.
Products at the hypermarket were selected to cater to the needs and lifestyles of residents in surrounding areas with high purchasing power, he said.
The fresh food department offers premium products sourced from abroad, such as imported beef and lamb from Australia, the US and Japan, as well as salmon and trout from Norway.
The home electronics department offers more than 2,000 appliances and gadgets, showcasing Internet of Things experiences and smart home solutions.
Mr Sompong said the home department will feature a studio with a bedroom and kitchen to showcase decorative ideas and allow customers to see how products fit with their lives.
The hypermarket also has a much greater capacity at its fulfilment centre in order to support online shopping via the Lotus's app.
Deliveries are available for customers living within a 10-kilometre radius of the store.
People seeking action-packed activities can try out "E-Gokart by Monowheel", an outdoor track spanning 700 sq m, he said.
Other options include the flagship Pet Us store; True Health, a collaboration with Ramathibodi Hospital for health checks; and IT stores including Truesphere, Banana IT and Studio7.
"Lotus's North Ratchapruek will be the prototype for new and existing Lotus's stores in the future," said Mr Sompong.
The company expects to open 4-5 new hypermarkets next year by adopting concepts from the North Ratchapruek branch, he said.
