Regine Eveno: Asia’s retail landscape is characterised by very diversified conglomerates. What is the Central Group, active in Thailand, Vietnam and Italy?
Stéphane Coum: Central Group is a huge and highly diversified family conglomerate. It is run by our C.E.O. Tos Chirathivat, the grandson of the founder. With 70,000 employees and a turnover of US$13 billion in 2018, Central Group is both Thailand’s biggest mall developer and a major food, non-food and department stores retailer. We run an array of restaurants and hotels and have a large footprint within the premium segment, with our shopping malls, Centara hotels, Central and Robinsons* department stores and high-end supermarkets Central Food Hall. This anchorage comes from one of Thailand’s main characteristics. With a population of 69 million, we have 40 million tourists every year.