What: Central Retail Corporation has partnered with Alipay+ to boost digital transactions and attract more international tourists by accepting payments from 13 mobile apps across its extensive store network.

Why it is important: The partnership with Alipay+ is crucial as it broadens payment options for international tourists, thus making shopping more convenient and accessible. This initiative reflects Alipay's growing global influence and its potential to significantly boost transaction volumes and sales for Central Retail.

Central Retail Corporation in Thailand has formed a strategic partnership with Alipay+ to enhance digital transactions and attract more international tourists by accepting payments from 13 different mobile apps across its 3,000-store network. This collaboration, initiated in July 2023, has already shown positive outcomes, with transaction volumes through Alipay+ partners doubling in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter. Tourists from Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Korea have notably increased their spending, utilizing apps like AlipayHK, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, GCash, and Kakao Pay.

Anticipating the year-end travel surge, Central Retail is setting up targeted marketing campaigns within the app to attract tourists and improve customer service experiences. Special promotions, including the Amazing Thailand Card, Summer and Golden Week Campaigns, and a Year-End Campaign, are planned in collaboration with Alipay+ to further drive tourist spending and sales, particularly noted in supermarkets like Tops where transactions have increased more than fourfold from the first to the second quarter of 2024.

Central Retail partners with Alipay+ to boost tourist spending