GOODBYE mom 'n pop shop . . . hello Tops. Another Phuket supermarket brand signalled its intentions today when the green screen came down around a site in the Phuket City suburb of Sam Kong.
Emerging like a butterfly, or at least like an ambitious commercial enterprise, the brightly colored Tops sub-branch was quickly being stocked by an efficient team whose pass-the-parcel style is probably good practice for the next Phuket flood.
We believe this is Tops' first excursion into sub-branches, but the rapid rate of expansion in supermarket retail means there may be other parts of the island where they just opened one or two outlets yesterday.
Rapidly expanding brands are providing competitive value, but also having an effect on rent rates and property and real estate prices.
Tops, with established larger supermarkets in Robinson in downtown Phuket City and in Central Festival, appears to be moving to ensure the brand expands with Phuket.
Already the retail wave has swept the south of the island. Even Supercheap, Phuket's own budget brand, now has smaller outlets.
Not to be left out, the remaining single outlet supermarkets - Carrefour (at Jungceylon in Patong) and Villa Market (at HomePro in Chalong) - have been rumored to be looking at expansion.
Family Mart and 7-Eleven are everywhere, and several 7-Eleven outlets nearby in Sam Kong are likely to be Tops' rivals for customers on basic items.
Some enterprises succeed, others do not: a nearby shop being offered at a high rent was once a franchised store, but no longer.
What goes on the shelves will provide a guide as to how far Phuket's internationalisation has proceeded. Will there be cheese and boutique wine? We'll soon find out.
Tesco-Lotus was a pioneer in bringing centre-plus-carpark style shopping to Phuket. The battle for the south of the island continues, with eyes also turning north.
Tesco, having already opened its own sub-branches of varying sizes, has earmarked a big plot in Thalang, near Thalang Hospital, for a large development.
Other brands are expected to follow northwards. Nothing has been said publicly yet about the potential for a supermarket in the Explorer development, not far from Laguna Phuket.
Meanwhile, if there's a corner near you without a brand store, best give your favorite franchise a call. If your local is a mom and pop shop, cherish it a bit longer. Tomorrow, it will probably be gone.
Weather Alert: Phuket Landslip, Flood Block Major Road, Samui Under WaterEmerging like a butterfly, or at least like an ambitious commercial enterprise, the brightly colored Tops sub-branch was quickly being stocked by an efficient team whose pass-the-parcel style is probably good practice for the next Phuket flood.
We believe this is Tops' first excursion into sub-branches, but the rapid rate of expansion in supermarket retail means there may be other parts of the island where they just opened one or two outlets yesterday.
Rapidly expanding brands are providing competitive value, but also having an effect on rent rates and property and real estate prices.
Tops, with established larger supermarkets in Robinson in downtown Phuket City and in Central Festival, appears to be moving to ensure the brand expands with Phuket.
Already the retail wave has swept the south of the island. Even Supercheap, Phuket's own budget brand, now has smaller outlets.
Not to be left out, the remaining single outlet supermarkets - Carrefour (at Jungceylon in Patong) and Villa Market (at HomePro in Chalong) - have been rumored to be looking at expansion.
Family Mart and 7-Eleven are everywhere, and several 7-Eleven outlets nearby in Sam Kong are likely to be Tops' rivals for customers on basic items.
Some enterprises succeed, others do not: a nearby shop being offered at a high rent was once a franchised store, but no longer.
What goes on the shelves will provide a guide as to how far Phuket's internationalisation has proceeded. Will there be cheese and boutique wine? We'll soon find out.
Tesco-Lotus was a pioneer in bringing centre-plus-carpark style shopping to Phuket. The battle for the south of the island continues, with eyes also turning north.
Tesco, having already opened its own sub-branches of varying sizes, has earmarked a big plot in Thalang, near Thalang Hospital, for a large development.
Other brands are expected to follow northwards. Nothing has been said publicly yet about the potential for a supermarket in the Explorer development, not far from Laguna Phuket.
Meanwhile, if there's a corner near you without a brand store, best give your favorite franchise a call. If your local is a mom and pop shop, cherish it a bit longer. Tomorrow, it will probably be gone.
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