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RS Group snaps up Unilever's Thai direct selling biz unit for US$26m

RS Group snaps up Unilever's Thai direct selling biz unit for US$26m

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Unilever is selling its direct selling business unit in Thailand, Unilever Life, to Thai media company RS Group. Unilever Life is a multi-level marketing direct selling business unit with three brands: Beyonde, Aviance, and iFresh. 

RS Group said in a separate statement that it has invested approximately 880 million baht (US$26 million) to optimise the entertainment model and broaden its ecosystem. This move will strengthen RS Group in terms of products, distribution channels, new business models for the commerce business group, and create synergy among its affiliates. The acquisition also includes Unilever Life's distribution channels; business management and operating systems and softwares; and senior management and employees. The offer is subject to certain conditions and is expected to complete in three to four months.

According to CEO of RS Public Company, Surachai Chetchotisak, said acquiring or investing in businesses or assets with growth potential is one of the core strategies of RS Group, which will significantly expand the Company's ecosystem. 

He explained that "direct sales" is a business that RS Group is keenly interested in, as the industry's overall growth is expected to reach a minimum of 6% to 7% a year. "When merged with the entertainmerce model of RS Group and its affiliates, Unilever Life can maximise its efficiency and distinguish itself in marketing and product distribution, thus leading to new opportunities in terms of increasing sales, strengthening current business partners, attracting new prospects and more variety of new product lines for stronger growth potentials," he said.

Unilever Life can also use RS Group’s smart marketing platform, Popcoin, to create added value for the business, such as helping to enhance and increase marketing efficiency to meet consumers’ needs.

Meanwhile, Robert Candelino, CEO of Unilever Thailand, said for the past 20 years, Unilever Life has disrupted the market with its unique business model, dynamic innovation, wonderful people and noble purpose of creating opportunities for people to realise their dreams.

"We are proud of this business, our people and its legacy. We are excited for this business to begin its next chapter under the new ownership and the continued leadership of Unilever Life president, Suchada Theeravachirakul," he added.

Meanwhile, Theeravachirakul, head of Unilever Life, said the company is a strong business supporting Thai people to have a sustainable source of income. "We look forward to the next stage of Unilever Life under the ownership of RS Group," she said. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Unilever for additional information about the sale.

Photo courtesy: 123RF

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