Central Dept Store Group CEO Natira Boonsri creates iconic stores to give customers a world-class experience
PUBLISHED : 28 Oct 2024 at 04:30
NEWSPAPER SECTION: News
Natira Boonsri, Chief Executive Officer of Central Department Store Group (CDG) under Central Retail, leads one of the most prominent department store groups in Thailand and Southeast Asia, overseeing the iconic Central and Robinson Department Stores.
With nearly 20 years of experience in the retail industry, Natira has successfully driven the transformation of several key retail spaces to meet modern consumer demands.
One of her most notable projects includes the complete transformation to elevate Central Chidlom which opened its doors in 1973 to become a truly iconic constant of Thailand’s luxury shopping destination, positioning it as “The Store of Bangkok”. This ambitious project reflects her visionary approach to retail and her ability to navigate the evolving market landscape.
Ms Natira’s journey in retail began after earning a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Boston College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She started her career as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) before joining Central Retail in 2005 as project development director.
Central Department Store Group CEO Natira Boonsri
By 2014, she had become president of Zen Department Store and senior vice president of Central Department Store, where she demonstrated her leadership skills by spearheading major renovations at CentralWorld and Central Ladprao. In 2018, she was appointed president of Central Department Store, and in 2021, she transitioned to Chief Commercial Officer of Central Retail Corporation Plc (CRC). She returned to CDG as CEO shortly thereafter.
Ms Natira, a third-generation member of the Chirathivat family, which owns and operates Central Group, is the eldest daughter of Boonbunlue and Ratana (Chirathivat) Norpanlob. She is married to Nathavud Boonsri and has two children, Napat and Narisa.
Among her accomplishments is the transformation of Zen Department Store into CENTRAL@centralwOrld, a key project that revitalised one of Bangkok’s busiest shopping districts. Ms Natira invested over 1 billion baht in this renovation, transforming the 50,000-square-metre space into a hub that integrates shopping, dining, and leisure experiences for customers. The move also introduced more than 3,000 brands, creating a blend of retail and lifestyle offerings. Ms Natira emphasised this transformation was not just about shopping — it was about enhancing the overall customer experience.
Under her leadership, CENTRAL@centralwOrld has become a model for integrating omni-channel strategies, allowing for a seamless, personalised shopping experience both online and offline. She plans to extend this model across an additional 20 out of 23 Central locations in five years.
Ms Natira’s commitment to retail transformation goes beyond physical renovations. Her focus is on understanding changing consumer preferences and driving innovation. She remains dedicated to enhancing the customer experience by offering new brands and services that align with modern lifestyles.
Ms Natira says every renovation is a team effort. It needs to work closely with marketing, communications, and brand teams to ensure the firm offers the best products and services for customers. Seeing customers happy and enjoying the new spaces is the greatest source of pride.
Beyond business, Ms Natira is committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and creating shared value (CSV). She is focused on not only driving profitability but also contributing to the environment and society. By placing customers at the heart of the business and leveraging innovation and development, she is ensuring Central Department Stores remain a leader in the retail industry. Through her leadership, Natira Boonsri is shaping the future of retail in Thailand, embodying a commitment to excellence and transformation.
Natira Boonsri
Chief Executive Officer of Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail