Ek-chai Distribution clinches Hypermarket of the Year - Thailand at Retail Asia Awards

It introduced the concept of an unmanned store that allows customers to pick their products and go.

Hypermarket chain brand Ek-chai Distribution took home the Hypermarket of the Year - Thailand category win at the recently held Retail Asia Awards for its introduction of Lotus's North Ratchapruek Smart Community Centre.

The new store concept transformed the traditional Lotus’s into a smart community centre that all generations can enjoy. Launched in 2021, Lotus's North Ratchapruek is aimed to provide brand-new multi-purpose utilities and experiences.

It featured a new cutting-edge estate design that transformed Lotus’s classical big box into an open-air space integrating all floors. This enhances the easy in-and-out shopping journey with greener and more natural space.

The store concept also upgraded its supermarket with the best and freshest food offers, both locally and imported. It also displayed a full variety of dining choices, including Michelin-guided restaurants.

The non-food variety is also magnified to include health, beauty, wellness, and smart home living to serve all lifestyles.

Meanwhile, Lotus's North Ratchapruek also introduced the first unmanned store that allows customers to just pick up the products and go, whilst the payment will be made through their mobile application wallets.

It also established world-class and community entertainment for everyone to enjoy everyday  including concerts, pet playgrounds, outdoor cinema, and events, amongst others.

All these initiatives improved the store concept’s performance, as it recorded 33% higher sales and 103% more customers than all new stores that opened from 2021 to 2022. It also showed the highest upmarket customer profile at 64%.

Retail Asia Awards gathers the region's best retailers and recognises major breakthroughs, innovations, and key players in the Asia retail industry.

The Retail Asia Awards is presented by Retail Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's exceptional products or initiatives in the retail industry, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].