Retail competition is expected to become tougher in Bangkok’s Bang Kae –  where the shopping mall segment is dominated by The Mall Group – with the opening of the new Seacon shopping centre in August.

The three billion baht (US$97.53 million) shopping complex will comprise 130,000sqm of retail space over five trading floors. It is already 80 per cent leased, according to the developers.

One of shopping complex’s attraction is the 6500sqm Yoyo Land indoor fun park.

Seacon is confident the centre will perform well with Bang Kae boasting a population catchment of around 900,000.

Tatiya Sosothikul, MD of Seacon Bangkae said: “We have confidence in Seacon Bang Kae because there is unmet demand for a large-scale shopping complex in the area. The Mall Group has the only other large mall there.”

VP Charun Poopat said the company plans to launch more than 100 marketing activities every year with a marketing investment of 120 million baht (US$3.9 million), aiming to attract 100,000 visitors a day.

Meanwhile, sister mall in Bang Na district, Seacon Square, will get a 300 million baht (US$9.75 million) facelift this year aiming to be more competitive with rivals Central Plaza Bang Na, Paradise Park and Mega Bang Na.

The company plans to boost its turnover through a combination of new retail developments and the acquisition of existing malls.

GB