Rangsirat Pornsuti, Head of Investor Relations and Risk Management at Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited (SET: CRC), announced that the company is forecasting a 6-10% increase in total revenue for 2025, up from the THB 262,804.38 million recorded in 2024.
Additionally, CRC expects a double-digit growth in EBITDA, and pushes for single-digit growth in same-store sales at a low level and manages selling, general and administrative Expenses (SG&A) to stay below 27.4% of revenue, maintaining a gross margin of 26.5%.
For 2025, CRC has allocated a capital expenditure (CAPEX) budget of THB 17-19 billion baht, with 50% dedicated to opening new branches, while the remaining 50% will be used to invest in other areas.
The company’s expansion plans include opening four new Thai Watsadu branches, ten new Tops branches, four GO Wholesale branches, two GO! Malls, two GO! Hypers, and three Mini GO! stores.
By the end of 2025, CRC’s branch operations will include 85 department stores, 90 Thai Watsadu stores, 185 Tops stores, 14 GO Wholesale stores, 44 GO! Malls, 43 GO! Hypers, and 17 Mini GO! stores.
CRC’s main strategy will focus on revenue acceleration by boosting growth in both its core online and offline businesses, expanding new business models as growth engines, creating value through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and partnerships, and driving efficiency with technology and AI.
The company will also prioritize margin enhancement, accelerating growth in Vietnam for rapid and improved profit margins, expanding and upgrading its retail network, while effectively managing costs, investments, and cash flow.
CRC’s growth strategy for Thailand includes revenue growth aiming to outpace the country’s GDP growth by three times. In Vietnam, the focus will be on revenue growth in shopping centers and the food business, aiming for expansion beyond GDP growth. Meanwhile, in Italy, CRC targets strong profit growth, transitioning from a House of Brands to a Media Company.
The company’s performance outlook for 1Q25 appears positive across Thailand, benefitting from Chinese New Year and the Easy e-Receipt initiative, driving a single-digit growth in same-store sales. In Thailand and Italy, tourist growth remains strong, contributing positively to both nation’s markets.
