PHUKET: Super Cheap is the Phuketwan-Phuket Post Phuket Business of the Year 2011. While there were some worthy contenders, the judges found two extremely good reasons why the Phuket retail outlet deserved the accolade.
Turning itself from a single ungainly central Phuket City operation to a corner store chain with more than 20 outlets through 2011 was impressive enough.
To keep prices down and to retain supplies of essential goods during the central Thailand and Bangkok floods, when other retailers struggled, sealed Super Cheap's reputation in the Phuket community, and this award.
Retailing is one of many facets on Phuket that are being internationalised. While competition dictates that the traditional Mom and Pop shops of a past era had to go, their disappearance also leaves a gap in the village neighborhood.
When strangers in uniform run the local shop, there's less of a sense of community. As a Phuket brand, Super Cheap helps to convey the impression that Phuket can hold its own with the rest of the world in aspects of daily living, beyond tourism.
And in keeping prices down, they do all of us a big favor.
Phuket Business of the Year 2010 Centara/Centra
Critics quibble about the size of the Central group and whether it's too autocratic and insular. But when a big Thai brand backs Phuket the way that this group has, introducing not just a new five-star but a new three-star brand, quibbles lose out to quantity and quality.
Phuket Business of the Year 2009 Marriott International
Marriott has shown faith in ''Greater Phuket'' by rapidly growing its brands to the point where we believe it now has almost as many staff in the Andaman region as any other private employer.
Phuket Attraction of the Year 2008 The Big Buddha
Adapted to take account of the smiling statue's special status, through 2007 and even more effectively in 2008, the 45-metre tall Big Buddha became one of the most important additions to the icons of the tourism industry on the island.
Phuket Business of the Year 2007 Destination Air
An air shuttle to speed people to their offshore five-star destinations seemed likely to take flight. However even good ideas, especially those on Phuket linked to local aviation, are destinated to require a lot of circling.
Turning itself from a single ungainly central Phuket City operation to a corner store chain with more than 20 outlets through 2011 was impressive enough.
To keep prices down and to retain supplies of essential goods during the central Thailand and Bangkok floods, when other retailers struggled, sealed Super Cheap's reputation in the Phuket community, and this award.
Retailing is one of many facets on Phuket that are being internationalised. While competition dictates that the traditional Mom and Pop shops of a past era had to go, their disappearance also leaves a gap in the village neighborhood.
When strangers in uniform run the local shop, there's less of a sense of community. As a Phuket brand, Super Cheap helps to convey the impression that Phuket can hold its own with the rest of the world in aspects of daily living, beyond tourism.
And in keeping prices down, they do all of us a big favor.
Phuket Business of the Year 2010 Centara/Centra
Critics quibble about the size of the Central group and whether it's too autocratic and insular. But when a big Thai brand backs Phuket the way that this group has, introducing not just a new five-star but a new three-star brand, quibbles lose out to quantity and quality.
Phuket Business of the Year 2009 Marriott International
Marriott has shown faith in ''Greater Phuket'' by rapidly growing its brands to the point where we believe it now has almost as many staff in the Andaman region as any other private employer.
Phuket Attraction of the Year 2008 The Big Buddha
Adapted to take account of the smiling statue's special status, through 2007 and even more effectively in 2008, the 45-metre tall Big Buddha became one of the most important additions to the icons of the tourism industry on the island.
Phuket Business of the Year 2007 Destination Air
An air shuttle to speed people to their offshore five-star destinations seemed likely to take flight. However even good ideas, especially those on Phuket linked to local aviation, are destinated to require a lot of circling.
It's got to be Super-Cheap. They have grown more than any other business in 2011!
Posted by Sir Marmaduke on December 28, 2011 16:40