Thai multi-store format operator Big C aims to treble its store network by 2016.

Big C Supercenter will be expanded from 346 currently to 1250 in four years. The company operates store formats including supermarket Big C Market, convenience chain Mini Big C, health and beauty chain store Pure, hypermarket Big C Extra and store for wholesalers Big C Jumbo.

The company says it will open 300 new Big C Market stores and more than 900 Mini Big C convenience chain.

According to the company’s corporate affairs director Kudatara Nagaviroj, high product demand fuelled by rising wages has prompted the ambitious growth strategy.

The director said the company also plans more Pure store openings.

”With high demand from our customers, we’ll move aggressively to expand our Pure outlets next year, both inside Big C hypermarkets and in standalone locations, with at least 40 branches likely next year,” said Nagaviroj.

Big C expects sales for the full year to increase eight to 10 per cent.

GB