CPW, AIS to launch A-Stores

SET-listed digital product distributor Copperwired (CPW) says it is working with Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS), Thailand’s largest telecom operator, to open A-Store shops in universities to target students purchasing mobile devices and accessories.

“The first store is likely to be opened in the fourth quarter,” CPW chief executive Paramate Rienjaroensuk said in an “Opportunity Day” online presentation of the firm conducted by the Stock Exchange of Thailand. He did not go into detail about the location of the first shop.

Up to 10 shops could be established by the second quarter of next year, he said.

CPW operates .Life shops that provide digital lifestyle products and Apple brand shops, called “iStudio by copperwired”.

“A-Store will sell IT products, including mobile phones and tablets, covering both Apple and non-Apple products,” said Mr Paramate.

He refused to discuss the revenuesharing structure with AIS, saying: “AIS will focus on mobile packages. But this will be a healthy deal.”

CPW is not the first to set up A-Store with AIS. MAI-listed SPVi, one of the authorised resellers of Apple products, has also partnered with AIS to run A-Store shops at Srinakharinwirot University and Prince of Songkla University.

“We will not set up our shops in their areas. We will explore new locations,” said Mr Paramate.

According to him, as A-Store shops are to be established only at university sites, it remains difficult to find space for the shops.

“It is still difficult to determine exactly when these shops will be launched,” said Mr Paramate.

Work is still under way to assess what would be the outcome of the first shop, he added.

Apple unveiled its second official retail store at CentralWorld in July. The first store in Thailand was launched at Iconsiam in 2018.

Mr Paramate said the presence of Apple’s official stores have no impact on the CPW’s sales of Apple products.

“The sales of Apple products are growing significantly now,” he said.

As the company plans to open more .Life shops in the future, the sales of Apple products will also see an increase, said Mr Paramate.

There is demand for iPads and the company is committed to meeting the demand.

CPW booked 591 million baht in revenue in the second quarter, a 21.4% drop from the same period last year, weighed down by the closure of its shops in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

‘‘ The first store is likely to be opened in the fourth quarter this year. PARAMATE RIENJAROENSUK

Chief executive, CPW