[May 16, 2012] Teleinfo diversifying into online purchasing websites Tweet May 17, 2012 (Bangkok Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The SET-listed Teleinfo Media, operator of the Yellow Pages phone directory, is diversifying into e-commerce in order to offset shrinking sales from conventional print advertising. After years of declining revenue, the subsidiary of CS LoxInfo Plc is spending 30 million baht to develop two online purchasing sites, said Anuwat Sanguansapayakorn, CFO of CS LoxInfo. "We plan to launch our e-commerce business through www.centrasale.com, a daily-deal discount coupon site, and www.centramall.com, an online shopping mall, by September," he said. The company will transfer its existing 300,000 suppliers from the Yellow Pages to the new online channels. Teleinfo Media also received an e-payment licence from the central bank, allowing the company to provide electronic credit card payments. Mr Anuwat said e-commerce should offset ailing print revenue. The company has seen a 20% decline in Yellow Pages sales for three straight years. An online version of the Yellow Pages at www.typlive.com attracted 5.5 million visitors in December. The group's mobile content business is seeing better margins and reported 12% revenue growth in the first quarter compared with the same period last year. Mr Anuwat said Teleinfo expects to contribute 15% to the group's total revenue this year, down from 16% last year. Teleinfo had 45 million baht less ad revenue in the first quarter year-on-year due to the floods. Revenue in 2011 was 459 million baht, down from 550 million in 2010. CS LoxInfo reported consolidated revenue of 715 million baht in the first quarter, down 1% year-on-year. Net profit fell 12% to 142 million. Mr Anuwat said CS expects revenue to rise 3-5% to 2.8 billion baht this year, with net profit basically flat at 335 million. Internet data centres will be a key growth driver for the group. Anan Kaewruamwong, managing director of CS LoxInfo, said internet data centres are gaining in popularity as business continuity plans take shape after the floods. The company plans to spend 100-200 million baht next year to expand the capacity of its data centres. Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this article ___ (c)2012 the Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) Visit the Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) at www.bangkokpost.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]