Sumitomo establishes TV home shopping company in Thailand

Sumitomo Corp, in associate with Jupiter Shop Channel (JSC), has established a new TV home shopping company SHOP Global (Thailand) Co Ltd, 2013 in Thailand with I.C.C. International Public Company Ltd and Central Department Store Limited.

The program will be aired throughout the year, 24 hours a day starting from June 2013, introducing high quality products from Japan and selected products from Thailand and around the world. SHOP aims to air live-broadcasting-based entertaining programs 24 hours a day in the future.

Sumitomo has been operating JSC, a leading TV home shopping company in Japan, since 1996. With the know-how that has been cultivated through the experience of 24 hour-live broadcasting, they have continuously looked into the possibility of expanding to other countries within Asia.

The preparation to start the business in Thailand was commenced in August 2012 between Sumitomo, ICC and Central. And due to the realization of the joint venture, Sumitomo decided to start the first overseas TV home shopping business in Thailand.

The president and CEO of SHOP will be dispatched from Sumitomo, and with staff from JSC who have professional skills such as program production and merchandising, Sumitomo will lead the management of the new company.

ICC ranks among Thailand's largest wholesalers of consumer products, and Central, a subsidiary of Central Retail Corporation (CRC), is the largest retailer in Thailand. Leveraging each of Sumitomo, ICC, and Central's strengths, SHOP aims to become Thailand's top television home shopping channel, with target annual sales of 3 billion baht in the 5th year.

In the past, Sumitomo has actualized a broadcasting program that introduces traditional art craft work from Thai rural area. It was called the "OTOP" project which means "One Tambon One Product" with support from Thai government and vendors, it became a great success.

Sumitomo hopes to strengthen the relationship between Thai consumers and Sumitomo, and will contribute to the friendship between Thai and Japan by introducing high quality and sophisticated products from both countries.

Sumitomo Corporation's Media, Network & Lifestyle Retail Unit will continue to seek for a similar excellent local partner within Asia and will accelerate expanding its successful retail business model in Asian countries.

© JCN Newswire