Commerce Ministry Teams Up with Local Wholesalers at 800 Branches to Cut Prices by 60% and Ease Living Costs

The Commerce Ministry's Business Development Department, led by Director-General Poonpong Nayanaparakarn, has announced the launch of the 'Thai Help Thai X Local Low Cost' campaign in collaboration with local wholesale and retail operators across the country. The initiative aims to coordinate product distribution and marketing activities through a public-private partnership designed to strengthen grassroots economies and meaningfully reduce household expenses.

The campaign builds on the Commerce Ministry's existing cost-of-living support policies by connecting manufacturers, retailers, and consumers at all levels, with particular emphasis on enabling local wholesalers and retailers to distribute affordable goods to communities nationwide. The ministry has integrated cooperation with modern trade retailers with nationwide networks, as well as manufacturers and suppliers, to collectively reduce prices on essential consumer goods including soaps, shampoos, detergents, rice, sugar, cooking oil, and condiments, focusing on house brands and alternative quality products at special prices.

The 'Thai Help Thai' project was officially launched on April 1, 2025, under the Prime Minister's direction, featuring over 3,000 products with maximum price cuts exceeding 58% through cooperation with modern retail operators including Makro, Lotus's, Big C, Tops, and GO Wholesale, delivering tangible savings of 25-58% to consumers.

The Business Development Department has further expanded cooperation to local wholesale and retail shops with potential nationwide. Recognizing the alignment between the Thai Wholesale-Retail Association's Local Low Cost event and the department's direction, they have integrated efforts to increase consumer access to affordable products.

Under this initiative, consumer goods will be offered at special prices with maximum discounts exceeding 60% through 99 large local wholesale-retail operators comprising over 800 branches nationwide between May 1-10, 2025. The program is expected to reduce household expenses by 25-60% while supporting small local shop owners who can purchase discounted products for resale at higher margins, and helping restaurants obtain raw materials at reduced costs.

Director-General Poonpong emphasized that local shops have strong proximity to and understanding of consumer behavior in their areas, enabling them to select products matching community needs. The initiative also opens opportunities for SMEs and local OTOP products to be sold at special prices, helping distribute income to communities and strengthen grassroots economies. The 'Thai Help Thai X Local Low Cost' campaign serves as a crucial mechanism for stimulating domestic economic activity by connecting the supply chain from producers through retailers to consumers, expected to increase money circulation, boost spending, and create new marketing opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs.