Asia’s first lifestyle trend megastore Zen is due to reopen on December 25 to catch the holiday season.

A more formal grand opening will be delayed until February next year.

Zen was dubbed “the best department store in the world” by globetrotting retail trendspotter Howard Saunders before it was destroyed in an arson attack during street protests in Bangkok in 2010.

While the rest of the Central World shopping complex housing Zen reopened about six months later, the department store bore the brunt of the blaze and had to be completely rebuilt. 

In its original form, Zen drew international praise for its skilful identification of and positioning to a defined target audience of young, upwardly mobile consumers – a notable difference to the ‘appeal-to-everyone’ approach of many international department stores.

The refurbished Zen now has seven levels totalling a whopping 50,000sqm of space, topped by 13 levels of Zen World with another 30,000sqm of lifestyle services in one building.

Located at the Ratchaprasong intersection of downtown Bangkok, Zen will house best names in local and international fashion and design. It will mix luxury labels with trendy affordables.

On Christmas Day, only six floors will be opened, the balance on its grand opening.

Zen will offer seven per cent VAT refund and five per cent tourist discount for overseas shoppers alongside other store promotions and services.

GB