BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Department of Business Development has developed 2,622 local wholesale and retail operators this year, with 102 shops upgraded into “Smart Shohuay” stores and another 31 developed as model wholesale and retail businesses. Sathaporn Ruamnaphaya, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Business Development under the Ministry of Commerce, announced the results on September 4 during a presentation on the department’s 2026 local wholesale and retail development program.
The program, titled “A New Step for Thai Retail: United to Grow Together,” focuses on helping traditional local retailers adapt to changing consumer behavior, introduce technology into business management and improve their competitiveness. Under the Smart Shohuay Plus program, the department provided business knowledge and training to small retailers, with an emphasis on modern management and the practical use of technology.
A total of 2,622 entrepreneurs received training in 2026, bringing the cumulative number developed since 2017 to 26,554. The department also upgraded 102 shops into Smart Shohuay stores this year by improving their appearance and modernizing their operations. The total number of Smart Shohuay stores developed since 2017 has now reached 8,027 across Thailand’s four regions.
A second program focuses on developing model local wholesale and retail businesses. This year, 31 shops were selected for intensive development and consultation, with advice tailored to the needs and circumstances of each business. The number of model wholesale and retail businesses developed nationwide has now reached 390. The department aims for these model shops to become mentors for smaller retailers in their communities, allowing businesses to share practical experience and knowledge and creating networks that can strengthen local retail economies.
Another major initiative this year is the “Thai Help Thai x Local Low Cost” campaign, which has linked more than 100 wholesale and retail businesses operating more than 800 branches nationwide.
The initiative is intended to give local retailers additional marketing opportunities, improve consumer access to their products and allow them to participate in nationwide trade-promotion activities. The department estimates that the campaign could generate at least 70 million baht in economic activity.
Sathaporn said the department is also working with private and public-sector partners to help retailers adopt new technology. Tiiplan Co Ltd presented approaches to store layout and product arrangement, including planograms designed to make better use of retail space. The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) presented measures encouraging businesses to adopt digital technology and artificial intelligence under its AI Transformation program.
The online trading platform “Ruammit” was also introduced to connect manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, creating additional purchasing and sales channels. The event included a discussion on using AI and technology to improve retail businesses, with entrepreneurs and industry practitioners sharing their experiences and practical approaches to adopting new technology.
Sathaporn said the department’s work is aimed not simply at helping local shops survive, but at enabling them to grow, reduce costs, improve efficiency and create new market opportunities.
He said stronger local retail businesses would also benefit their surrounding communities, with continued cooperation between government agencies, the private sector and entrepreneurs needed to strengthen Thailand’s wholesale and retail sector.
