Central Food Retail Co (CFR), the operator of Tops supermarket, under mall operator Central Retail Corporation, will tomorrow open its membership store Tops CLUB, offering imported consumer goods and premium products.
Tops CLUB is the eighth retail store concept under CFR apart from the existing Tops Market, Tops Food Hall, Tops Superstore, Central Food Hall, Tops Daily, Tops Online and Family Mart.
The first Tops CLUB is located behind Bangkok's Central Rama 2 and has a retail space of 15,000 square metres in a warehouse-style building divided into three zones.
Tops CLUB provides 3,500 products in five categories: dry grocery and beverage, fresh food, alcohol, general merchandising and household. A total of 70% of the products are imported from 20 countries, including the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
The display is different from typical store layouts. Customers can try products before buying at more than 40 sampling points throughout the store, with experts offering information. They can also take photos for social media and have fun in the store before making a purchase.
"As the leading food retailer in Thailand, we are committed to constantly elevating retail models to make sure that Tops is the ultimate food destination. We are introducing a mega project called Tops CLUB for the first time in Southeast Asia. We've spent two whole years developing this never-before-seen store concept," said Stephane Coum, chief executive of Central Food Retail Group.
Customers can become Tops CLUB members via two types of membership.
It is free of charge for basic members, while premium members will pay 799 baht a year during the promotion period from now until Oct 31, compared to the normal price of 999 baht, with special privileges such as a 5% discount and free delivery in Bangkok and surrounding areas when shopping online via the Tops CLUB app until the end of 2023.
The company has opened Tops CLUB pop-up stores at Mega Bangna, CentralWorld, Central Rama 2 and Central Embassy since July.
CFR has signed up 12,000 members, and has added more channels to ensure its customers can access Tops CLUB conveniently and through the omnichannel shopping experience.
The company expects 10,000 visitors per day and 2-3 times higher spending compared to customers at Tops Supermarket stores.
There are three zones at Tops CLUB. The first zone offers international products for kids, outdoor goods, pets, kitchenware and automotive accessories from US brands.
The second zone offers vegetables, fruit, chocolate, New Zealand ice cream brands, mixed nuts from the US, dried fruit and vegetables from Australia, and tea, coffee and seasonings from European, American and Asian brands.
The third zone offers fresh ingredients, meat and seafood imported from Europe, along with the CLUB Café, which offers special dishes.
