TOPS, under Central Retail (SET: CRC), reaffirms the readiness of its supply chain and logistics operations to mitigate potential disruption to consumer goods distribution caused by flooding. The company has deployed five proactive measures spanning inventory buffering, transport logistics, workforce management, technology integration, and Business Continuity Management (BCM).
Leveraging its 4 primary Distribution Centres—Bang Bua Thong, Mahachai, Rama 3, and Bangna—TOPS ensures continuous stock replenishment across its store network nationwide to meet surging consumer demand during emergency situations.
On this occasion, TOPS welcomed Mr. Chanthapat Panjananond, Deputy Director General Department of Internal Trade (DIT), along with a delegation from the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, during an official visit to the TOPS Bang Bua Thong Distribution Centre and TOPS Central WestGate in Nonthaburi Province. The visit aimed to assess the readiness of essential goods inventory, distribution operations and in-store product availability to meet the needs of communities affected by the recent flooding.
Mr. Thanawat Jirajariyavej, Managing Director of Central Food Retail under Central Retail, said, “Amid uncertainties arising from natural disasters, supply chain volatility, and rapidly evolving consumer demand, TOPS recognises that effective supply chain management is a vital strategy for strengthening our retail business and ensuring continuous access to essential consumer goods, particularly during emergencies. We therefore place a strong emphasis on proactive risk management through advance preparedness and the development of agile systems capable of adapting quickly to any unforeseen disruptions.”
In response to the recent flooding in Bangkok, TOPS has put this approach into practice through a series of concrete measures. These include maintaining over 20 days of reserve stock for essential consumer goods, utilising an Auto-Replenishment System that analyses actual product demand at each store to ensure precise restocking aligned with store-level purchasing patterns, and boosting delivery fleet capacity by 30–50% above normal levels to accelerate delivery cycles. TOPS also leverages real-time water level and traffic monitoring to dynamically adjust transportation routes, while operating warehouse and delivery operations 24/7—expanding overtime (OT) shifts and deploying outsourced personnel during peak periods to maintain seamless workflows. Backed by our 4 primary Distribution Centres, TOPS ensures unbroken supply chain continuity and responds swiftly to consumer needs.
Mr. Thanawat continued, “Looking ahead, TOPS is committed to strengthening supply security by expanding our network of producers and suppliers to reduce reliance on single-source supply. At the same time, we aim to enhance operational resilience by enabling greater flexibility in inventory, workforce and transportation management in response to evolving circumstances. We will also leverage data and technology to support more accurate and timely planning and decision-making through a data-driven supply chain approach. We believe that preparing for crises before they occur is a fundamental pillar of long-term resilience in the retail business. A strong supply chain not only helps mitigate the impact of uncertainty but also enables TOPS to maintain the continuous delivery of essential goods and reinforce consumer confidence in every situation.”
Mr. Noppadon Poomanee, Head of Supply Chain at Central Food Retail under Central Retail, said, “The TOPS Bang Bua Thong Distribution Centre is one of our primary logistics hubs. Operational since November 1998, the facility has a total warehouse area of 43,242 square metres, handles more than 26,000 SKUs and operates 24/7 to manage inbound receiving, storage, picking, inspection, and dispatch to our stores. In 2025, outbound volume from the distribution centre grew by 7.3% year-on-year. We have integrated advanced logistics technologies to boost picking and verification efficiency while accelerating transport cycles, ensuring seamless stock replenishment across our branch network. Notably, throughout the recent flooding, the facility remained 100% operational, playing a vital role within TOPS’ distribution network to guarantee the uninterrupted delivery of essential consumer goods.”
To address potential risks from heavy rainfall and flooding that could disrupt product sourcing and distribution, TOPS has established an operational risk management framework comprising five key measures. These proactive steps enhance our readiness to meet the surging demand for essential consumer goods while minimising supply chain disruptions:
- Strengthening Essential Product and Replenishment Readiness: TOPS is prioritising 10 essential product categories at risk of shortages during crises, including meat, eggs, ready-to-eat meals, rice, canned fish, drinking water, instant noodles, cooking oil, tissue paper and UHT milk. The company has expanded buffer stocks while broadening its network of producers and suppliers to diversify sourcing options, shortened supplier lead times, and adjusted inventory strategies for certain product categories. This includes expanding the proportion of frozen meat in place of chilled meat to extend storage life and strengthen stock availability during emergencies.
- Enhancing Logistics and Delivery Continuity: TOPS has boosted delivery fleet capacity by 30–50% to accommodate potential surges in product demand, while dynamically adjusting transportation routes in response to changing conditions, particularly in the event of flooding or disruptions to transport routes. The company has also increased delivery frequency to stores experiencing high demand or located in high-risk areas to minimise the risk of out-of-stock products on shelves.
- Strengthening Workforce Readiness: TOPS has expanded its team of product pickers by 30–40% to accommodate potential increases in order volumes during crises, while integrating automated systems into operations to minimise the impact of workforce shortages or situations where employees are unable to perform their duties as usual.
- Enhancing Operations Through Smart Technology & Automated Replenishment: TOPS utilizes a Dynamic Automated Replenishment system to adjust stock replenishment volumes and frequency in line with demand at each store, particularly during sudden surges in demand. This will enable more effective product allocation in terms of product categories, quantities and store locations. The company also integrates AI-powered transportation routing to conduct real-time route analysis, navigating around flood-affected or access-restricted areas.
- Building Long-Term Crisis Readiness Through Business Contingency Planning: TOPS is leveraging experiences from past events to continuously refine its Business Contingency Plan, tailoring strategies to specific risks scenarios-including natural disasters, transit bottlenecks, product shortages and workforce constraints. This will enable the company to deploy prompt, targeted responses, safeguarding supply chain continuity and reinforcing readiness for future crises.
TOPS currently operates a network of four primary distribution centres and warehouses supporting its various retail formats. These include the Bang Bua Thong Distribution Centre, which handles general consumer goods for TOPS and TOPS FOOD HALL; the Mahachai Distribution Centre, which handles fresh food and temperature-controlled products; the Rama 3 Online Warehouse, which supports e-commerce operations; and the Bangna Distribution Centre, which handles general consumer goods for TOPS DAILY. Each facility plays a key role in supporting inventory management tailored to consumer demand across different channels, while enhancing supply chain flexibility during periods of non-standard demand.
TOPS, under Central Retail, remains committed to strengthening the security of essential consumer goods sourcing and distribution through close collaboration with its network of producers, suppliers and business partners. This approach aims to meet evolving consumer demand in response to changing circumstances, particularly during natural disasters or emergencies that may disrupt people’s daily lives. The company remains dedicated to maintaining an unbroken flow of goods from source to store shelves while continually reinforcing its readiness for future uncertainties—reaffirming TOPS’ role as a trusted retailer committed to building consumer confidence and ensuring widespread, uninterrupted access to essential daily necessities.
