Tesco Lotus
Encyclopedia
thumb|right|200px|Tesco Lotus Hypermarket, Lat Phrao Branch]]
Tesco Lotus is a hypermarket
chain in Thailand
, Cambodia
and China
(卜蜂莲花 Bo fēng liánhuā). In Thailand, the stores are operated by Ek-Chai Distribution System Co., Ltd.
Established in 1998, Tesco Lotus was a joint venture of the Charoen Pokphand
Group and Tesco
, the British
giant supermarket chain. However, facing criticism over the growth of hypermarket
s in Thailand, the CP Group sold its shares in Tesco Lotus in 2003, though it did retain interest in Tesco Lotus in China (which operates under the Lotus name with Tesco being a separate chain).
Tesco Lotus stores stock groceries (western and local products) as well as a selection of stationery, school supplies, clothing, shoes, electrical equipment and many other non-food products at very competitive prices that the small 7-Eleven
, Family Land and similar small stores cannot match. They also contain a bakery as well as a chemist/druggist department. The stores are often set in Malls and have food courts and many other shops and stalls available as well as a large car park. Temperatures are kept at a relatively cool 27C. Like their western cousin, Tesco Lotus has begun to offer a wide range of other services as well as their own credit cards.
In various locations within Thailand, Tesco Lotus Express stores (a smaller version of the Tesco Lotus supermarket) have opened at gas stations and on busy roadside locations. These stores stock a smaller range of goods, alongside refreshments, make-up, snacks, etc.
They have a total of 24 Supercenters in Bangkok
, 31 Supercenters upcountry, 14 Lotus Markets, 15 Value stores and 189 Express stores with more being built all the time. Other superstore chains ; Carrefour
and BigC
also operate in Thailand on a smaller scale.
alleged that Thai soldiers operating as Tesco security intimidated a rural boy into poisoning chocolates as revenge for having their contracts revoked by the company. An Englishman in Bangkok was severely poisoned but survived the ordeal.
In late 2007 and early 2008, controversy arose when Tesco Lotus sued three of its critics for libel.
Jit Siratranont, former MP and now vice-general secretary of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, faces two years in jail accused of criminal libel, and a damages claim of 1.1bn baht
(roughly 33 million USD); while Kamol Kamoltrakul, another newspaper journalist, has been served with a libel writ demanding 100m baht (roughly 3 million USD). Most recently, newspaper columnist Nongnart Harnvilai was sued for 100m baht for writing in her newspaper column that Tesco no longer 'loved' Thais. The offending article in tongue-in-cheek "Buzz" column was part of a collection of short stories on page 28 of the paper, and ran to just a few sentences. Free speech campaigners have said these writs underscore Tesco Lotus's determination to stamp out criticism of its rapid expansion, which has been hotly debated for nearly a decade. In May 2008, the Thailand National Human Rights Commission and the National Foundation of Consumers held a joint seminar on Tesco's negative impact on communities and the media's freedom to report and criticise.
Hypermarket
In commerce, a hypermarket is a superstore combining a supermarket and a department store. The result is an expansive retail facility carrying a wide range of products under one roof, including full groceries lines and general merchandise...
chain in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
(卜蜂莲花 Bo fēng liánhuā). In Thailand, the stores are operated by Ek-Chai Distribution System Co., Ltd.
Established in 1998, Tesco Lotus was a joint venture of the Charoen Pokphand
Charoen Pokphand
The Charoen Pokphand Group is a transnational conglomerate that consists of three core businesses that operate in the agribusiness and food, retail and distribution, and the telecommunications industries with investment in 15 countries. Founded in 1921, the CP Group currently employs over 280,000...
Group and Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
, the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
giant supermarket chain. However, facing criticism over the growth of hypermarket
Hypermarket
In commerce, a hypermarket is a superstore combining a supermarket and a department store. The result is an expansive retail facility carrying a wide range of products under one roof, including full groceries lines and general merchandise...
s in Thailand, the CP Group sold its shares in Tesco Lotus in 2003, though it did retain interest in Tesco Lotus in China (which operates under the Lotus name with Tesco being a separate chain).
Tesco Lotus stores stock groceries (western and local products) as well as a selection of stationery, school supplies, clothing, shoes, electrical equipment and many other non-food products at very competitive prices that the small 7-Eleven
7-Eleven
7-Eleven is part of an international chain of convenience stores, operating under Seven-Eleven Japan Co. Ltd, which in turn is owned by Seven & I Holdings Co...
, Family Land and similar small stores cannot match. They also contain a bakery as well as a chemist/druggist department. The stores are often set in Malls and have food courts and many other shops and stalls available as well as a large car park. Temperatures are kept at a relatively cool 27C. Like their western cousin, Tesco Lotus has begun to offer a wide range of other services as well as their own credit cards.
In various locations within Thailand, Tesco Lotus Express stores (a smaller version of the Tesco Lotus supermarket) have opened at gas stations and on busy roadside locations. These stores stock a smaller range of goods, alongside refreshments, make-up, snacks, etc.
They have a total of 24 Supercenters in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, 31 Supercenters upcountry, 14 Lotus Markets, 15 Value stores and 189 Express stores with more being built all the time. Other superstore chains ; Carrefour
Carrefour
Carrefour S.A. is an international hypermarket chain headquartered in Levallois-Perret, France. It is one of the largest hypermarket chains in the world...
and BigC
BigC
Big C, or Big C Supercenter , is a grocery and general merchandising retailer headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the leading hypermarket chain in Thailand, managed under the umbrella of Groupe Casino...
also operate in Thailand on a smaller scale.
Controversy
A controversy arose when the Royal Thai PoliceRoyal Thai Police
The Royal Thai Police are the national police of Thailand.-About:Primary responsibility for the maintenance of public order through enforcement of the kingdom's laws was exercised by the Thailand National Police Department , a subdivision of the Ministry of Interior...
alleged that Thai soldiers operating as Tesco security intimidated a rural boy into poisoning chocolates as revenge for having their contracts revoked by the company. An Englishman in Bangkok was severely poisoned but survived the ordeal.
In late 2007 and early 2008, controversy arose when Tesco Lotus sued three of its critics for libel.
Jit Siratranont, former MP and now vice-general secretary of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, faces two years in jail accused of criminal libel, and a damages claim of 1.1bn baht
Thai baht
The baht is the currency of Thailand. It is subdivided into 100 satang . The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand.-History:The baht, like the pound, originated from a traditional unit of mass...
(roughly 33 million USD); while Kamol Kamoltrakul, another newspaper journalist, has been served with a libel writ demanding 100m baht (roughly 3 million USD). Most recently, newspaper columnist Nongnart Harnvilai was sued for 100m baht for writing in her newspaper column that Tesco no longer 'loved' Thais. The offending article in tongue-in-cheek "Buzz" column was part of a collection of short stories on page 28 of the paper, and ran to just a few sentences. Free speech campaigners have said these writs underscore Tesco Lotus's determination to stamp out criticism of its rapid expansion, which has been hotly debated for nearly a decade. In May 2008, the Thailand National Human Rights Commission and the National Foundation of Consumers held a joint seminar on Tesco's negative impact on communities and the media's freedom to report and criticise.
External links
- Tesco corporate site
- Tesco Lotus official website (English)
- Tesco Lotus official website (Thai)
- Lotus official web site of the chain in China (Chinese)