CP All launches luxury-goods course
Human resources trained for segment
There are many sources of conventional investments such as land, stocks, commodities and gold, but Korsak Chairasmisak, the man behind the success of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Thailand, recommends another choice.
As a watch collector who knows all about the rising value of prestige timepieces, Mr Korsak has placed a bet by adding a new department called Luxellence Center to CP All Plc, the company that runs the 7-Eleven chain.
This new department, in which CP All has joined hands with the International Fashion Academy Paris (IFA Paris), is aimed at providing comprehensive knowledge to Thais wanting to study luxury brand management and investment for either career development or personal investment.
Thitiporn Sanguanpiyapan, the executive director of Luxellence Center, said the cooperation has resulted in co-development of what it calls the MBA Luxury Brand Management course.
The course is targeted at people who have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, mass communications or fashion design.
The one year of study will teach students all they need to know about luxury brands, with a certificate from IFA Paris granted at the end.
Ms Thitiporn said participants will learn all aspects of luxury products — valuation, investment and brand management — with a focus on how to raise the profile of Thai brands in international markets.
CP Group does not sell luxury goods or operate luxury shopping centres, but it has a strong working network and connections with companies dealing in luxury items, she said.
Luxellence Center can take on only 24 students at a time, while the course costs 14,800 euros (612,000 baht).
The first course started in January of this year, and applications for the next term will be accepted until the end of October.
Ms Thitiporn
said
Luxellence Centre’s goal is to create professionals for the continuously growing luxury business in Asia-Pacific.
Many people buy luxury items more as collectors’ pieces but when the need arises, they may find it difficult to sell them. This is particularly true given that they may not know the real value of the assets, said Ms Thitiporn.
She said students who finish the course will be well equipped to serve personnel demand in this sector.
‘‘After they gain knowledge and expertise, they can better understand that the return on investment on these items is better than expected,’’ Ms Thitiporn added.