Thailand’s retail giant Central Retail Corporation (CRC) is significantly scaling up its presence in Vietnam, unveiling plans to open more than 30 large‑format stores across the country between 2026 and 2028 as it seeks to capture growing consumer demand and deepen its footprint in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest‑growing retail markets.
Under the expansion blueprint, CRC intends to launch 10–12 new Go! malls and hypermarkets alongside 23–25 mini Go! outlets over the next three years.
Vietnam has emerged as a key battleground for both regional and global retailers, with Japan’s Aeon setting sights on up to 100 large‑scale outlets by 2030 and South Korean and domestic chains like Lotte and WinMart rapidly rolling out new formats to tap rising household consumption and urbanisation.
Since entering Vietnam in 2012 with fashion retail operations, Central Retail has grown into one of the country’s most prominent foreign multi‑format retailers. As of early 2026 the group’s Vietnam portfolio includes 43 Go! hypermarkets, 16 mini Go! malls, nine Tops Market supermarkets and 23 LanChi Mart stores, with several new go! Củ Chi and other openings recently announced.
The expansion comes as CRC pushes its modern retail strategy beyond physical stores and strengthens its digital and omnichannel capabilities, including faster delivery services and data‑based personalised offers. According to company figures, multichannel sales already account for a growing share of revenue in Vietnam, reflecting evolving consumer behaviour.
However, the group has acknowledged ongoing challenges, including complex land acquisition procedures and licensing requirements for foreign investors, which could affect project timelines in certain provinces.
Earlier this year, CRC sold its stake in Nguyen Kim Electronics, exiting the consumer electronics segment to focus on core retail formats, demonstrating a strategy of concentrating resources on high-potential sectors.
Vietnam’s expanding urban middle class, evolving shopping habits, and government support for foreign investment make the country a promising franchise destination. While CRC grows through corporate-owned stores, the market dynamics signal a significant opportunity for franchise brands looking to tap into one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing retail markets.
