Thailand’s Central Retail Corporation, the flagship retail arm of the influential Chirathivat family’s Central Group, is preparing to invest up to five hundred sixty million dollars to expand its presence across Thailand and Vietnam as it accelerates regional growth.

The planned investment will fund the development of new stores, renovations of existing outlets and improvements to retail infrastructure in both markets.

The expansion forms part of a broader strategy by Central Retail to strengthen its leadership in Southeast Asia’s rapidly evolving retail sector while responding to shifting consumer behavior and the growth of omnichannel shopping.

Central Retail operates a wide range of retail formats including department stores, shopping centers, supermarkets and specialty outlets.

In Thailand the company’s portfolio includes well-known brands such as Central Department Store and Robinson, while in Vietnam the group has rapidly expanded its footprint through hypermarkets, supermarkets and shopping malls under several retail formats.

Executives say the investment will focus on expanding store networks and upgrading existing locations to improve customer experience while integrating digital technologies that link online and offline shopping.

The company is also strengthening its logistics, supply chains and customer data platforms to better serve consumers across multiple channels.

Vietnam represents a particularly important growth market within the company’s regional strategy.

With a young population, expanding middle class and strong economic growth, the country offers substantial potential for modern retail development.

Central Retail has already established a broad presence across numerous Vietnamese provinces and plans further expansion in food retail and hypermarket formats.

At the same time, Thailand remains the group’s core market and continues to see ongoing investment in store modernization, new retail concepts and integrated shopping experiences designed to attract both local shoppers and international visitors.

The expansion underscores the continuing strength of Thailand’s retail sector and the strategic leadership of the Chirathivat family, whose Central Group has grown into one of Asia’s most prominent retail conglomerates with operations spanning department stores, shopping malls, hotels and restaurants across multiple continents.

By investing aggressively in both Thailand and Vietnam, Central Retail aims to capture long-term consumer growth across Southeast Asia while reinforcing Thailand’s role as a regional center for retail innovation and commerce.