S. Thai Retailers Point out that Omikron pulls away the shopping mood. Call on all sectors to join forces to solve the crisis
Mr. Chatchai Tuangrattanaphan, Vice President of the Thai Retailers Association Revealed the results of the Retail Sentiment Index (Retail Sentiment Index) for the month of December 2021 that I must admit that the sentiment survey is not as bright as it should be. Due to the spread of the omikron intensifying. and fear that the government will come back to announce strict control measures once more Despite the same store sales growth (SSSG), same-store sales growth (SSSG) was driven by increased frequency on shopping during the New Year holiday season. and the purchase amount per bill Spending per Bill or Per Basket Size slightly increased mainly from the increase in product prices. not due to actual purchasing power. This reflected that there was still a need for stimulus from various government measures. In addition, there were additional factors for the cancellation of cross-year activities in some areas. which resulted in the halt of end-of-year shopping
The summary of the index of confidence in the important issues is as follows.
1. Retail Sentiment Index (RSI) December was 68.4, up only 6 points, compared to November’s 62.1, reflecting the busy mood of New Year’s shopping at the end of this year. as it should be Meanwhile, the RSI Retailer Confidence Index for the next three months fell four points from 69.7 in November to 65.1 in December, reflecting concerns over the spread of the Omicron outbreak in more than 30 provinces. (Survey between 17-24 December 2021)
2. RSI Sentiment Index by Region The index of entrepreneurs’ confidence on the same sales in December increased in all regions compared to November, especially the northern and northeastern regions. From the easing measures to control the epidemic more clearly. and the increasing number of people starting to travel in different regions
3. RSI Sentiment Index by Type of Retailers The index of entrepreneurs’ confidence, when classified by type of retail stores, compared between November and December, showed an increase in all types of stores. except for department stores from the shopping atmosphere not as expected because consumers wait for hope from the project “Shop Dee Mee Night” should be born in the end of 2021, but postponed to the beginning of 2022 instead.
There is also a summary of the key points of “Assessing the purchasing power and spreading trend of the Omicron strain from an entrepreneur’s perspective” in December. surveyed during 17-24 December 2021 as follows:
1. The increase in sales over the past year comes from
No. 1 measures to stimulate government spending
2nd place in store promotion
3rd place online sales
2. Concerns regarding the Omicron epidemic
No. 1 is worried regarding the purchasing power that has not recovered.
Number 2, customers refrain from doing activities outside the home.
No. 3 is concerned regarding measures that may require a lockdown.
3. Contingency plans in the event of an Omicron outbreak
63% more online sales
40% reduced costs, reduced employment
30% carry on business as usual unless the government orders it to close
4. Government assistance
58% Increase tax deduction and reduce cost burden
55% increase the economic stimulus measures and continue
43% help pay workers wages
Reiterate 4 proposals to the government
1. Upgrade the readiness of the public health system, such as speeding up the distribution of vaccinations, adding quality and affordable ATK test kits. Prepare medicines to treat and reserve intensive care beds
2. Proactive measures are in place for areas at risk of epidemic to be strictly controlled. However, if there is an outbreak in each area The state should be closed to only clustered areas.
3. Help the private sector and people to reduce expenses by helping to reduce water bills, electricity bills, social security contributions, signboard taxes, as well as interest on loans from financial institutions credit card interest Interest on loans without guarantees and consider reducing the costs of entrepreneurs, both directly and indirectly related to COVID.
4. Pushing for government economic stimulus projects In order to continually inject money into the economy, for example, Shop Dee Mee Night should be increased more than 1 time per year in order to create a total amount of money circulating in the system for more than one hundred billion baht throughout the year.
“It can be seen that the purchasing power of consumers has not recovered much. economic stimulation through various projects The continuous improvement of the government sector is an important engine in driving the Thai economy. And it will build confidence for SMEs and the Thai business sector once more. It also increases employment. And continually generate money into the retail and service system. The cooperation of all sectors will be the power to drive the Thai economy forward. We can’t go back to the crisis like in 2021 when everything came to a halt. Therefore, reducing the spread of omikron to spread only in a limited area. and affect the economy that is improving to a minimum Therefore, it is the only solution for all of us,” said Mr. Chatchai.
