Consumers purchase less

In the jet fuel category, Ms Pitirat said sales will remain healthy this year despite a drop in Chinese arrivals, which should be offset by more visitors from the Middle East and India.

- KATANYU

For its non-oil business, OR expects its coffee sales under the Cafe Amazon brand to keep growing this year despite the sluggish economy.

In the first quarter, the company registered a new record high with 104 million cups, an increase of 5.1% year-on-year from 99 million cups.

Somchai Sittichaisrichart, managing director of SiS Distribution (Thailand), said the IT product market remains strong in the second quarter, with the impact of US tariffs expected to be felt in Thailand in the third quarter.

While sales of low-end smartphones have slowed, high-end smartphones have felt less effect from the flat economy, he said.

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Worawat Phothakanapong, chief executive of Kamol Pork, which operates pork retail shops, a farm and a slaughterhouse, noticed a decline in consumer purchasing power since the start of this year.

There have been fewer orders and lower sales per bill across all locations, he said.

Kamol Pork operates 14 retail shops in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan, down from 18 branches in 2024, as several underperforming outlets closed.

Sales per transaction are about 50% lower year-on-year, though Mr Worawat did not disclose specific figures.

The key customer segments are middle to lower-income individuals and operators of buffet restaurants, particularly those offering Thai-style BBQ pork, known as moo krata.

This year the company has lost about 50% of regular customers who operate buffets, with around 40% of those businesses shutting down, he said.