Thai Retailers Report Increased Demand for Essential Goods
Thailand's Department of Internal Trade reports a 20% rise in retail sales, driven by seasonal spending and global food security concerns.
According to the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) under the Ministry of Commerce, Thailand has observed a 20% increase in retail sales over the past week. Director-General Wattanasak Sur-iam stated that while global trends have prompted some citizens to stockpile food, the current demand in Thailand is also influenced by end-of-month salary cycles and government welfare card usage. Specific items showing increased sales include milk and drinking water, which rose by 15%, alongside rice and canned goods, which saw a 5% increase. The DIT has met with major retailers to ensure supply chain stability, requesting that stores increase their inventory levels in anticipation of the upcoming New Year holiday season. Regarding concerns about potential cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems—similar to incidents reported in Europe—local retailers have confirmed that their security systems are prepared. The government continues to monitor agricultural costs and supply levels to ensure market stability. For residents and travelers, this means that while there is a slight uptick in consumer activity, authorities maintain that there is a sufficient supply of essential goods. Future developments regarding agricultural input costs, such as animal feed and fertilizer, are expected to be discussed in upcoming meetings to help manage consumer food prices.
