Mr. Asawin Techacharoenvikul, Executive Vice Chairman of the BJC-Big C Group, disclosed that last year Big C’s retail business failed to meet growth targets due to the sluggish domestic economy and weakened consumer purchasing power. Unexpected factors directly impacted operations, especially flooding in Hat Yai, causing several large branches to close temporarily and incur damages worth hundreds of millions of baht. Simultaneously, tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border affected branches in several border provinces, including the Poipet branch in Cambodia.
For 2026, consumer behavior in Thailand is expected to remain cautious, with shoppers choosing only essential daily items. This aligns with the view that the economy is still in a difficult phase, compounded by external risks that continue to concern businesses, including geopolitical issues and global economic uncertainty.
However, Ms. Thapanee Techacharoenvikul, CEO and Managing Director of the BJC-Big C Group, expressed a positive outlook, believing the company has the opportunity to return to growth this year after having adjusted and managed various impacts. Their strategy of “cost control and efficiency improvement” includes investing 5–6 billion baht to open two new large or hypermarket branches, at least 100 small or Mini Big C branches, refurbish over 300 small branches, and conduct major renovations at about 17 large branches. Additionally, the plan includes closing around six unprofitable or lease-expired branches this year.
Ms. Thapanee said that the business in Vietnam is an important market that BJC regards as its second home. The company has invested there continuously for over 20 years, covering upstream businesses such as glass and can factories, as well as downstream retail businesses including MM Mega Market, a wholesale model with 30 branches, and B’s Mart convenience stores totaling 46 branches.
For MM Mega Market, the company aims to expand to 58 branches across Vietnam, viewing the Vietnamese market as having high growth potential—three times higher than Thailand’s. Moreover, Thailand’s market is highly competitive, with slow GDP growth, meaning most growth comes from market share shifts among competitors rather than overall expansion.
Since starting investment, BJC has accumulated nearly 1 billion U.S. dollars in Vietnam, generating annual revenue from MM businesses of about 20,000–30,000 million baht.
BJC–DHL Join Forces in Healthcare Logistics to Reach Top 3 in Thailand
Meanwhile, Asawin Techacharoenvikul and Thapanee Techacharoenvikul jointly announced a joint venture between Berli Jucker Logistics and DHL Supply Chain to elevate BJC Group’s logistics operations to international standards while aggressively pursuing the high-growth healthcare market.
The joint venture will have equal 50% ownership, combining BJC Big C’s extensive healthcare network with DHL’s global healthcare supply chain expertise. This aims to support the expansion of the healthcare industry and Thailand’s goal to become a regional medical hub. The Thai healthcare market is forecasted to reach 645 billion baht by 2030, with plans to expand access to quality medicines and medical supplies nationwide across hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.
Both executives noted that this collaboration will raise Thailand’s healthcare logistics to new standards, enhancing confidence, transparency, and regulatory compliance. It will lay a long-term foundation for Thailand’s healthcare system and economy to compete regionally and globally.
The plan involves investing 1,000–1,500 million baht annually over the next four years, aiming to increase BJC’s healthcare group revenue from about 7,000 million baht currently to around 28,000 million baht—four times growth—and secure a top-three position in Thailand’s logistics business.
“This partnership marks a significant step for BJC Big C Group to strengthen its position in Thailand’s rapidly growing healthcare logistics sector. Collaborating with DHL, a global logistics leader, provides us with a powerful competitive advantage in the fast-expanding healthcare industry. This alliance enables us to expand our customer base internationally and offer world-class solutions to meet Thailand’s evolving healthcare demands,” she said.