A Central Department Store app has been launched to keep customers informed about in-store promotions, aiming to drive traffic in the lacklustre market in Thailand.

In the Thai language, Central Smart Shopper lets users key in such factors as date, store branch and budget. It then shows a list of available promotions from about 20 credit-card companies.

Executive VP for marketing Piyawan Leelasompop says the aim is to capture younger-generation shoppers. “They are eager to change, and one day we could foster the relationship and build brand loyalty.”

Part of retail giant Central Group, the department store has invested more than 10 million baht (US$280,000) to develop the app, and targets 100,000 downloads by year-end. It plans to further develop the app to link to online shopping.

This follows Central Group acquiring the Thai market for online fashion marketplace Zalora, as well as a slump in Thai spending. Thailand’s retail sector slowed to 2.8 per cent growth last year, according to the Thai Retailers Association.

Central Group will kick off a one-and-a-half-month sale on Friday at its 64 branches nationwide, including Central Department Stores. It will invest 100 million baht in the campaign to offer discounts of up to 80 per cent.