Villa Market

[hhfarang]

Villa Market is Thai owned. It was started (Suk Soi 33 I think) by a Bangkok Thai gentleman to cater to the growing foreign market in the Sukumvit area. I believe all branches (there must be 8 or 9 now around Bangkok, Pattaya, and Hua Hin) are still owned by him and his family.

Maybe that explains the smiles and polite behavior of the staff.

[huahindolly]

Kellogg's is the gold standard of corn flakes, IMO. In S. California, one can buy a 340g box for $5. About 165B for a box. Looks like there is a little (well-earned?) profit involved.

HHD

[Wanderlust]

huahindolly,
I buy Kelloggs Corn Flakes regularly here, and yesterday i bought a 500g box in Gee Untung supermarket (the one just over the railway) for 96 baht, so if they are more expensive than that elsewhere don't buy 'em! By the look of the box they are made for the Singapore/Indonesia/Malaysia market and then someone must have imported them here I guess, so I wonder how much they are down there!

[Guess]

Thanks Chas,

I will check out the Villa Market origin. I can not believe it to be Thai solely for reasons you mentioned. Chinese Thai maybe.

Even here in sleepy Bang Saphan where there are only about 100 regular ex-pats, the local Thai Chinese supermarkets try to cater. Apart from anything else they can mark up a much higher percentage than on Thai produce.

The marketing approach, or lack of it in Thailand is probably explained by the fact it is new to them here. Many would say that is a bonus and one of the things that make this country attractive. However I believe if you are gong to do something then do it well. The ex USSSR countries have similar problems which leaves the market opened to a few very smart entrepreneurs.

To give a serious description of the UK market, there are few large chains and a few specialist chains.

The grocery business in the UK is always in a state of change but the leaders are Tesco, Walmart (ASDA) and Sainsbury's in that order I think.

I am confused about the Kellog's cornflake prices. I used to always buy the 500 gm pack in Gee Untung and the price was roughly what Wanderlust quotes ( I though just over 100 Baht). Surely this makes them much cheaper than in the US (according to the quote in an earlier post) and probably cheaper than the UK.

It is no surprise really. A major cost in products that are bulky and light is transport. Kellog's manufacture in Malaysia so do not have to come far. Also Malaysia has heavily subsidised fuel for exactly this reason. Cheap transport means cheaper produce.

To answer Wanderlust's question about price. They are, like everything else, more expensive in Malaysia and even more so in Singapore. The cost of sale is much higher in those two countries even if the wholesale prices are lower.

[Nereus]

Thanks Chas,
I will check out the Villa Market origin. I can not believe it to be Thai solely for reasons you mentioned. Chinese Thai maybe.
.

If you bother to read my post on the first page it may save you some checking. There is also a more recent post that says the same thing.

[Super Joe]

It all depends on individual needs, but the place has a great range of qualify stuff, particularly in the fruit/veg, deli, wine/spirits, snacks/crisps, sauces/herbs and magazine departments.
Obviously some stuff is pricey so you have to decide whether you still want to visit the places for standard stuff.

It has everything I need and more compared to Tesco's, farm shop, bookazine, A.Wine shop and All-in-Hua Hin fridges.
The only other place I'll still need to go is Ham & Bacon for the traditional British stuff and imported meats they do.

One dissapointement is the selection of fish and seafood.
The service is first class (will it fade ?), today 2 boys loaded up the car and another boy walked out to the car with stamp & inkpad as I'd left ticket in the car.

SJ

[PeteC]

I am confused about the Kellog's cornflake prices. I used to always buy the 500 gm pack in Gee Untung and the price was roughly what Wanderlust quotes ( I though just over 100 Baht). Surely this makes them much cheaper than in the US (according to the quote in an earlier post) and probably cheaper than the UK.

Regardless of the Kellog name, USA version is USA corn and Malaysia or wherever over here is not I wouldn't think. So, Kellogs USA are paying the USA farm/distribution/processing price which is sure to be more expensive than Asia sourced corn and labor to process. Just a guess. Pete

[Guess]

................I can not believe it to be Thai solely for reasons you mentioned. Chinese Thai maybe.......

If you bother to read my post on the first page it may save you some checking. There is also a more recent post that says the same thing.

I have (bothered to) read it and the recent post that just echoes it. I am sure that you are right but if you are it is the first business of that type I have ever seen in Thailand that has not involved foreign intervention.

That foreign intervention maybe Chinese in which case most people would not even be aware.

Just one question you may know the answer to is:

Are they part of the Trinity Group or are they just using the trinity group malls in Bangkok.

A point from me. Many businesses promote the family business angle. It is good PR. Sainsbury's, Tesco and Marks and Spencer's did it in the UK and Walmart, J C Penney and Macy's all did it in the US.

It does not mean that they are not large corporates.

[PET]

Tesco was a wonderful addition to Hua Hin - as those people who have lived here for 2 years will know - and if you don't like go elsewhere.

I have always had an acceptable experience there but I am also not expecting the service to be up to Fornum & Masons, but neither is the price as has been said above when comparing Villa Market.

I spent 6 winters in Florida and the supermarket staff there were nothing to write home about - and no smiles.

Just be thankful for what we have and time will continue to improve our experience.

[Guess]

Agreed. I think the only valid complaints against Tesco were that they were a threat to local small businesses and it would bring an increase in traffic. Neither have been proven since. The local road traffic planners have done more to slow traffic at Tesco than the volume of traffic.

Neither of these arguments can be levelled against Villa.

[Guess]

Regardless of the Kellog name, USA version is USA corn and Malaysia or wherever over here is not I wouldn't think. So, Kellogs USA are paying the USA farm/distribution/processing price which is sure to be more expensive than Asia sourced corn and labor to process. Just a guess. Pete

That's my understanding. There is plenty of corn in the region, mostly Indonesian and Filipino but they will never taste like the US and Mexican cobs. I believe in the UK they import the corn and process locally to save on transport costs. I have never been able to tell the difference between US and UK but here the taste is definitely more bland and the texture is not the same.

[migrant]

Last trip I was comparing grocery stores for quality goods (where can I get my good chunk of steak that I need periodically). Villa in HH was not open, but the Villa in BKK had great looking rib eye, lamb and salmon, far far better than the Tesco's, Big C, and others.

At a price, ofcourse, but available.

[The understudy]

HAllo There Y'All

I will finally make my way down to My PLace to "CHill let the World go By" and will make my very own assessment how Villa Market is. You get to notice me As I'm wearing a very bright Neon yellow Ref. Jersey from the 2006 World Cup in Germany and as alternate the Charcoal Grey one.

I'm looking forward to what they will have there @ the Villa MArket in Hua Hin. They really lack in German stuff but they make it more than up with their Selection of Japanese Gooddies. I hope they have improved since I last time I went into a Villa Store in Bangkok which was Eons ago as far as I can remember!!!
I'll be in Hua Hin from Thursday to Saturday If you spot me just Yell "Hey Understud!!!" And we're in the Mix!

A small Tribute to The small fishing town I once lived and studied and Now the Sprawling Thai Riviera Town to which I will return.

ENJoy Krab!!!

Your's The understudy
"In Love with Hua Hin Since 19naughty9!!!"

[buksida]

It was my turn to grace this place with my presence this morning and I must admit I was in hogs heaven!

Ample parking - though it could get busy at the weekend, they were re-painting the bays in an effort to squeeze more in I guess.

Attentive staff - greetings, smiles and offers of help. Things that are absent from the packs of gibbons that work in other stores.

Wine - More wine than all of Hua Hin's dedicated wine vendors put together by the looks of it. Not sure if they stick to the stupid selling times though as I didn't buy any.

Food, food, glorious food - I wanted to test it with specific requirements such as rollmops, Vegemite and old favourites from my childhood in farangland. This place has the lot, more cheese than you could shake a stick at, sauces, pickles, beans and a meat counter that will send vegetarians running for cover.

Naturally it is not easy on your wallet but that was expected.

[Nereus]

................I can not believe it to be Thai solely for reasons you mentioned. Chinese Thai maybe.......

Just one question you may know the answer to is:Are they part of the Trinity Group or are they just using the trinity group malls in Bangkok.

.

As far as I am aware Villa has no connection with the Trinity Group, apart from being a tenant in their building.

Villa still advertise as a family company, and from what I recall of conversations with the old Gentleman, he would not claim to be something that they are not. One comment from him that sticks in my failing memory from 20 years ago was his response to a comment from me about how good the shop was: "it is YOU, the customer, that makes this place what it is". I doubt that is something you are likely to hear from any Chinese influenced business.

It is not all shiny and good however, as there are people that claim that one of the "bad" things that need watching out for is packaged goods being, either relabelled, or the original label covered up with one of their own, to hide the expiry date. I have not seen this myself, and find it hard to believe that K. Surapong would condone it if he was aware of the practice. They have a lot of competition these days that they did not have 20 years ago, and to be still expanding they must be doing something right.