Leading Cho Huay chain Thailand 2023, by brand

In 2023, TookDee was the leading profit-sharing Cho Huay chain in Thailand, with around 5,600 stores across the country. Other leading Cho Huay chains in Thailand are, for instance, Donjai, Tiddao, and Khaidee. Traditionally, Cho Huay are local grocers run by independent local merchants.

Is this the bust of traditional grocery shops in Thailand?

Contrary to popular belief, traditional local grocery shops or Cho Huay are not disappearing in Thailand. The local grocery shops may be slower to adapt, develop, and choose to maintain their business models and traditional-looking storefronts. However, the strengths that have helped Cho Huay thrive include proximity and ties to the local community, lower prices, and the options to buy smaller portions and put on a buyer’s tap. For example, one can purchase a cigarette instead of the whole pack.

Profit sharing convenience store model

Seeing the opportunity and aiming to obtain a share of the convenience store, several large corporates have launched a profit-sharing convenience store chain. The companies contact and offer to partner with established Cho Huay stores in the local communities and launch new stores. This includes TookDee shops by Carabao Group, the producer of Thailand’s second most popular energy drinks, and Donjai stores by Berli Jucker PCL, a Thai conglomerate that distributes food and pharmaceuticals.