Jump to content

Promenada - The Beginning of The End?


JLT

Recommended Posts

Have you noticed the construction going on in San Kamphaeng, or all the gated communities in the area? Lots of well-heeled Thais in that part of town, along with lots on farang, including myself... I know, I see them every day as I am in Promenada at least once and often twice a day... The 69 baht breakfast at Rimping is hard to pass up, plus I can drive there faster than I could make it myself...

Lots of unsold projects all over CM.

They keep building them because they are financed by the banks in staged payments.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 502
  • Created
  • Last Reply

If UniQlo have really pulled down the shutters that's a serious blow indeed. They were pretty much the anchor along with Rimping, although neither could really be described as such in the normal scheme of things. To be honest I can't see the attraction of UniQlo - nice colours and an attractive store, but with prices that even on promotion look uncompetitive with Europe, let alone local vendors I don't see where they expect the volume to come from.

After reading your post I went back to see the place again yesterday to compare it to my first visit back in November.

Actually I noticed in some parts of the centre that the number of tenants had increased and some previously vacant areas were now occupied.

But when I look through metal roller shutter door into the space previously occupied by Uni Qlo I realised for the first time just how huge their area was.

I was interested to know what people felt about the message that this action by Uni Qlo sends regarding their sentiments of the centre? To me it seems to be a sad vote of no confidence.sad.png

In other words I’m curious why there didn’t just downsize to occupy say 50% of the previous area rather than vacate totally?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If UniQlo have really pulled down the shutters that's a serious blow indeed. They were pretty much the anchor along with Rimping, although neither could really be described as such in the normal scheme of things. To be honest I can't see the attraction of UniQlo - nice colours and an attractive store, but with prices that even on promotion look uncompetitive with Europe, let alone local vendors I don't see where they expect the volume to come from.

After reading your post I went back to see the place again yesterday to compare it to my first visit back in November.

Actually I noticed in some parts of the centre that the number of tenants had increased and some previously vacant areas were now occupied.

But when I look through metal roller shutter door into the space previously occupied by Uni Qlo I realised for the first time just how huge their area was.

I was interested to know what people felt about the message that this action by Uni Qlo sends regarding their sentiments of the centre? To me it seems to be a sad vote of no confidence.sad.png

In other words I’m curious why there didn’t just downsize to occupy say 50% of the previous area rather than vacate totally?

The word I heard was that it was either the Promenada or Central Festival that had to be shut down. Central Festival being a large concern you don't want to piss them off so Promenada it was. They did it with out notice and were stopped in the middle of the night by security. Think what you will of that.

I often pass them in the Central Festival on my way to the movies and can not see where they have enough people in the store to justify the area they have.

Have noticed vacant stores on the fifth floor and yesterday a restaurant shut down on the third or fourth floor. Many is the time I have been in there and saw lots and lots of people but many stores with no one in them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was interested to know what people felt about the message that this action by Uni Qlo sends regarding their sentiments of the centre? To me it seems to be a sad vote of no confidence.sad.png[/font]

In other words Im curious why there didnt just downsize to occupy say 50% of the previous area rather than vacate totally?

This is just standard operating procedures for a big box outfit like Uni

They have projections if they are met....continue

If not shut it down cut the losses & move along.

In the US when Big Box Retailers first started appearing this was also the main complaint against them

They would come into smaller towns open & of course in doing so kill many mom & pop shops that had survived in

the communities for decades..... Ok fair play in business the bigger fish with greater buying power can price items better

& beat out all the small fish...eventually

But......In many of these small towns after a year or two when the big boxes did not meet projections they did the same

Meaning shut it down cut losses & on to the next one

Well now these towns have not only large rusting boxes but also little if any smaller mom & pop shops to serve the community

It can be a harsh realization for some

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If UniQlo have really pulled down the shutters that's a serious blow indeed. They were pretty much the anchor along with Rimping, although neither could really be described as such in the normal scheme of things. To be honest I can't see the attraction of UniQlo - nice colours and an attractive store, but with prices that even on promotion look uncompetitive with Europe, let alone local vendors I don't see where they expect the volume to come from.

After reading your post I went back to see the place again yesterday to compare it to my first visit back in November.

Actually I noticed in some parts of the centre that the number of tenants had increased and some previously vacant areas were now occupied.

But when I look through metal roller shutter door into the space previously occupied by Uni Qlo I realised for the first time just how huge their area was.

I was interested to know what people felt about the message that this action by Uni Qlo sends regarding their sentiments of the centre? To me it seems to be a sad vote of no confidence.sad.png

In other words I’m curious why there didn’t just downsize to occupy say 50% of the previous area rather than vacate totally?

They didn't have the business. Thais don't care for their clothing lines and the Chinese never made it out that far.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

So during this my latest visit to Chiang Mai I went out to see the state of things again today.

I was shocked to see that the entire food court on the first floor “eat@prom” has closed down. One thing I did notice about this area when I used it in January was the excessive noise of the air conditioning and even then it was a challenge to keep that area cool because of the heat load from the windows. It must’ve been costing them a packet to run that air-conditioning system with very few customers.

In the same building on the ground floor where Uniqlo used to be there are blue signs saying superstore famous brands are coming soon! But when you look through the gates the Uniqlo fixtures and fittings are still there abandoned.

And coming soon doesn't seem to mean much when you look at the sign for Baja Joes Mexican restaurant which has been coming soon since the beginning.

Since January the former Citrus pharmacy on the first floor near the banks is still in the same state as it was also looking abandoned with some of the fixtures and fittings still left there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To post somewhat of an opposing view, Promenada is currenlty the only mall that I don't detest going into. I went first last Saturday to buy an inflatable pool for the kids, and then again yesterday for dinner.

The place really is a blessing as far as malls go.. I can park wihtout too much trouble, and they have aircon that is actually cool. Not this sort of semi-aircondition that's so common in older malls and other aircon stores. Then there are some really nice restaurants, we picked Fuji this time. (But Ragu and Dukes are also favorites).

Then did the shopping for Farang-items for the week at Rim Ping. (only weirdness there is that they seem to have a fancy meat slicing machine on display.. Really nice looking, hand-cranked thing. However it's fully functional.. Had to drag my kids off it or else they'd have lost fingers. :) I don't say TIT often, but that's really typical TIT. .)

Also we noticed the open air chairs set up outside in the area between both buildings, with a band playing. Quite a lot of people there. (though for me it's really too hot to attempt that. ;)

Overall though I'm really happy with Promenada and will try to steer us there instead of other malls whenever possible. (Kids are already on my side due to the Toys R Us and playground. :) )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are already too many convention venues and hotels in town so that leaves a casino. Unlikely.

I too saw the "Labels For Less" announcement and peeked in to see if there was any sign of it actually happening. Not yet.

I'd take my three year old to the play area but it does go against the grain that they want to charge you to go in and keep an eye on your children. It's the irritation of that totally dumb marketing decision that's prevented me from doing it so far. Are these people mad? They've got a fixed overhead, minimal customers (so it's not a crowding issue) and they want you to pay for taking the supervision load off their staff. Yes, they're barking.

Not really to do with Promenada, but for those who welcome the presence of the Toys R Us outlet, be aware that despite the reassuring retail identity and fairly decent selection of stock, the after sales service is un-reassuringly local. Both electronic toys I bought for my children at Christmas packed up by the beginning of March and, guess what - 14 day return or you're on your own. This seems to me a major brand management failure - if it's a franchise type arrangement or a partnership, the way to stand out above the competition is to offer a similar level of warranty and after sales support that they have to in the countries where they became famous. The goods come out of the same factories in China and if they can stand by the quality in Europe or the US for 6 months or even a year then for the small extra cost when something goes wrong, why not do it here and build a following? Irritating.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Noticeable that the free World Music event that was truly great last year with terrific bands from South Africa, USA and Malaysia disappeared without trace this year ( last year it took place in March I think). Presumably another cost cutting exercise of a failing venue?

Funny and annoying thing though, even though the car parks never anywhere near full, you still get that infuriating thing where people park across the back of your vehicle and you have to try to push it out of the way to get out.....I can only guess that a lot of the local population still wont park twenty metres away from the door if they can block you and be only ten yards from the door !!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WinnieTheKhwai, on 20 Apr 2015 - 19:51, said:snapback.png

My vote is for a Hooters branch.

They're in Thailand now, just not yet in Chiang Mai.

It might be difficult to staff it...

Oh I don't know.....

IMG_3220%20for%20web-X2.jpg

Turn your fried egg into a rusty meringue? Of course it will.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Noticeable that the free World Music event that was truly great last year with terrific bands from South Africa, USA and Malaysia disappeared without trace this year ( last year it took place in March I think). Presumably another cost cutting exercise of a failing venue?

That was a fantastic concert with absolutely great artists performing and I too have been looking out for the next one.

I, like some of the others, don't believe it is a failing venue. Struggling, yes. But "failing" no. There is too much invested in it for it to completely fail.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So during this my latest visit to Chiang Mai I went out to see the state of things again today.

I was shocked to see that the entire food court on the first floor “eat@prom” has closed down. One thing I did notice about this area when I used it in January was the excessive noise of the air conditioning and even then it was a challenge to keep that area cool because of the heat load from the windows. It must’ve been costing them a packet to run that air-conditioning system with very few customers.

In the same building on the ground floor where Uniqlo used to be there are blue signs saying superstore famous brands are coming soon! But when you look through the gates the Uniqlo fixtures and fittings are still there abandoned.

And coming soon doesn't seem to mean much when you look at the sign for Baja Joes Mexican restaurant which has been coming soon since the beginning.

Since January the former Citrus pharmacy on the first floor near the banks is still in the same state as it was also looking abandoned with some of the fixtures and fittings still left there.

Can't swear to it but the fixtures may still be there as they hadn't paid the rent. My understanding was it was a night move when they pulled out and the guards stopped them. They had not been informed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The original Promenada plans had a bowling alley. I would be going there twice a week.

I keep going for a look but nope..... never materialized.

Bully bowl is just crap I've been there.

Never heard about any bowling alley. And I have been involved with prom since early 2013. They did plan an ice skating rink but thats not happening anymore.

There is a gym "coming soon"....but until they actually start construction you cant be sure.

Uniqlo have come to an agreement with prom which will allow them to move the rest of their stock out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Phuket...for one.

what does that mean? Phuket ....for one when addressing a topic of promenada in CM

heybruce asked in the post immediately preceding bangmai's where one could find a Hooters in Thailand. Helps to read the thread before jumping all over others' posts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Phuket...for one.

what does that mean? Phuket ....for one when addressing a topic of promenada in CM

heybruce asked in the post immediately preceding bangmai's where one could find a Hooters in Thailand. Helps to read the thread before jumping all over others' posts.

what does your post have to do with promenada in chiang mai

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.





×
×
  • Create New...