Bangkok (VNA) - Luxury fashion and auto brands in Thailand have turned toselling their products on Line – a chat app developed by Japan amid thecoronavirus pandemic.

Brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel andVolvo were among those that opened official accounts on the messaging app,which outranks Facebook’s WhatsApp and Rakuten’s Viber in Thailand, aiming toconnect with users during a coronavirus lockdown.

Thailand earlier this year imposed a nationwide curfew and closed malls fornearly two months to contain infections.

“The luxury category was forced to adapt because their stores were closed. Duringthe pandemic, sellers became very active,” said Line Thailand chief commercialofficer Norasit Sitivechvichit.

Line, which charges sellers for sending messages and live streaming, said itsmonthly active users in Thailand grew from 44 million to 47 million this year,its second largest market after Japan.

Volvo successfully sold cars on the platform after launching inMay and studying customer data, its Thailand head of marketing and digitalisation,Jean-David Harel, said.

“We have an understanding of which models they own today, whichinterest they have and when they plan to change their existing car,” he said.

Line last year introduced a feature for merchants to organise inventory andonline store fronts, which now has over 50,000 users.

Another tool to support sellers with customer relationship and data managementis slated to launch next year.

Line will soon introduce “MyRestaurant” with its food delivery app, Line Man Wongai,to support restaurants./.