<article>Thailand-based hypermarket operator <a style="color: #000080;" href="http://www.bigc.co.th/">Big C Supercenter</a> is considering raising funds through a real estate investment trust (REIT) next year.</article>

Thailand-based hypermarket operator <a style="color: #000080;" href="http://www.bigc.co.th/">Big C Supercenter</a> is considering raising funds through a real estate investment trust (REIT) next year.
Its assets include the 174 branches of Big C in Thailand with a combined rental space of 800,000 square metre.
“We consider forming the trust to support our business growth and create a value-added asset, which will be benefit our shareholders,” President and CEO Robert James Cissell told reporters.
In 2015, it has opened 108 branches of Big C in different categories to respond to various requirements of customers. As of the end of the third quarter, it has 124 branches of hypermarket, 44 branches of Big C Market, and 368 branches of Mini Big C.
The expansion will continue in 2016, as it plans to open six new hypermarkets, three branches of Big C Markets and 75 branches of Mini Big C in 2016.
He said, it would focus on improving the supply chain system to make the cost most efficient, following the fierce competition.
“We want to ensure that we remain the market leader, offering the cheapest price to customers,” he added.
Big C, majority owned by French Casino Group, posted a drop of 14.5 per cent in net profit in the third quarter due to lower sales, hit by sluggish domestic consumption and slow economic recovery. The revenue in the same quarter also declined 4.6 per cent on year.
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Thailand-based hypermarket operator Big C Supercenter is considering raising fund through a real estate investment trust (REIT) next year.

Thai hypermarket chain Big C to launch REIT in 2016

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Thai hypermarket chain Big C to launch REIT in 2016

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