Thai construction materials and home renovation equipment retailer Dohome is set to expand within the territory by an additional 90 branches by the end of next year.
The move, partially in response to strong demand from DIY consumers, will introduce the firm’s Dohome ToGo brand with a smaller store format of 300–1000sqm.
“Do-it-yourself is a rising trend,” said COO Puthada Teravetchakarn. “People want to renovate or repair the home by themselves if they can. It is very easy to use Google or YouTube to find out how to repair something or what materials should be used.”
The firm is currently seeking suitable locations at department stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets for the new small-concept format, with a budget of up to THB2 million (US$64,650) per branch. The stores will stock around 10,000 SKUs, compared to more than 135,000 SKUs at its nine regular branches.
“We will survey people living within a radius of three kilometers of proposed locations to ensure demand,” said Puthada. “We will review each month which items are best sellers and revise the selection.”
Ten new Dohome ToGo branches will open this year, including two locations that have already launched in Bangkok.
Dohome is in the midst of an IPO, offering 465.04 million shares at THB7.80 each, with a trading opening on August 6.
