Retail pact sought to reduce confrontations PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

Retail pact sought to reduce confrontations PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

The Internal Trade Department wants retail and wholesale operators to sign an agreement on fair deals and contracts in a bid to reduce confrontations between local traders and giant retailers.

Yanyong Phuangrach, the department's director-general, outlined the proposal at a meeting yesterday with representatives of large retailers, wholesalers and bagged-rice suppliers. He gave them two weeks to consider the proposal.

The agreement would stipulate distances from communities for stores and their opening times. It is seen as a stop-gap until the new government considers a new retail and wholesale law.

Under the proposals, superstores, hypermarkets and discount stores must be at least 12 kilometres from a municipal area. The district served must have a total population, including tourists and visitors, of at least 100,000. The stores would be allowed to operate no more than 12 hours a day.

Supermarkets could operate at least five kilometres from a municipal area with a population of at least 50,000, and to open up to 12 hours a day.

Discount convenience stores and express outlets could open at least 500 metres from a fresh market, with a total population in the community at least 10,000. They could operate up to 15 hours a day. General convenience stores must be in communities with a population of at least 3,000 and could operate around the clock.