10% Of Computer Shops Closing Down

[Flashermac]

About 300 of the estimated 3,000 computer shops in Thailand have closed their doors this year, according to spokesmen for the information technology sector.

 

The contraction of the IT market was attributed to declining notebook computer sales, which plunged more than 20% year-on-year. As a result, many retailers were carrying excess inventory and had low liquidity.

 

Buyers were turning to smartphones and tablets despite the introduction of new processors and operating systems for notebooks.

 

Pornthep Watchara-amnouy, vice president for products and services at Advice Holding Group, Thailand's leading IT chain store, said many retailers struggled to manage their inventories and generate sales because most IT products were low profit margin products.

 

"It's important to adapt to changing situations and technological advances," Mr Pornthep said.

 

Another IT business operator said the IT market is expected to be sluggish in November and December but it should gain momentum in the first quarter of 2014. Computer shops can survive by adding new products to their existing product lines, or replace old products with new ones entirely, the operator said.

 

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/376181/10-of-computer-shops-closing-down

[dean]

I realize that Thailand is a Buddist country but do they get an sort of bump economically from the Christmas season?

[Flashermac]

Nowadays Bangkok's shopping malls are filled with Christmas decorations - huge Christmas trees out front and usually lights strung under the BTS on Sukhumwit. It doesn't seem to extend much out of the shopping areas of the city, but Thais will adopt anything they think is "sanuk".

[Plainsdrifter]

The reduction of computer shops was probably replaced with a larger increase in shops selling mobile phones and tablets.