Shopping and Local Retail Industry

[Ady001]

No IKEA stores pa dito, although there are some distributors in Facebook.

[xxxriainxxx]

Ikea is disposable furniture, best to market towards yuppies living temporarily in their own apartments.

[Bosnyboy]

Originally Posted by El_Toro

sa tingin ko naman accepted naman sa pinas yun concept ng Ikea Furnitures... madali lang naman yun instruction parang toys for the bigboys lang naman yan mas enjoyable pa dahil pwedeng family bonding yun pagassemble nyo like what we do...

sana magka Ikea na dyan at matikman ninyo yun sa foodcourt nila, masarap yun swedish meatballs...

The retail trade act has to be amended first before more major foreign retailing companies enter our country. Right now kasi our retail trade is heavily biased towards the locals. Unfortunately wala namang mga pilipino ang may kakayahang magtayo ng malalaking negosyo. Kaya the current retailing environment favors only a select few like the fili-chinese tipans and ayala which is not exactly a bad things because it allowed them to grow as big as they are today. And with that size they were also able to penetrate other markets overseas like what sm, robinsons and lucio tan group is doing right now.

But if we ever want to see the signboards of carrefour, ikea, walmart etc etc then the retail trade act must be amended. It should lower the capital requirements for a foreign company to setup shop in the phils. It must also allow full ownership of that particular company over their business and they must be allowed to own the land too.

[Bosnyboy]

I feel the time is ripe to allow foreign retailers to come in. If this happens this will be a win win situation for all of us. This will mean more jobs, more taxes paid, more choices for us consumers too. The foreign retailers also will be able to expand their business learn from the local culture and apply it to their overseas market. This will also help put the philippines as one of the great shopping capital of the world, and as a result will bring in more tourists and adds even more jobs. What a great boost to the gdp and gnp numbers indeed.

[jpdm]

SM malls show service
to people is profitable


BY AMADO P. MACASAET
Malaya Business Insights'
March 9, 2012


There is a section called Global Pinoy Center in nearly all of the malls of SM Prime Holdings of Henry Sy. It is solely dedicated for overseas Filipino workers and their families.

Obviously the lounge was set up to honor the overseas Filipino whose remittances fuel demand for products sold in the malls.

The lounge is not for the elderly or for senior citizens, according to Hans Sy, president and chief executive officer of SM Prime Holdings. He said they are provided with a different kind of service which he believes they need more.

According to Sy, the malls serve the elderly "by providing them with free transport inside SM Mall of Asia as well as various health and wellness activities in SM Malls.

The free rides cost money. But apart from the service, Sy believes the impulsive Filipino buyer including senior citizens and the elderly invariably go home with something bought from one or some of the tenants in the malls.

The mind of Henry Sy works in a way that tells him that serving the people through conveniences such as parks not provided by government and "special people" such as the senior citizens and the elderly has the ancillary effect of having a little business. But his son Hans, pointed out that the free service is not designed to raise sells. "We feel good if they buy some stuff, but my father feels just as good if they enjoy the free service that the malls provide."

Henry Sy started with shoes on a small shop along Rizal avenue in 1958. Sy thought that if each or a majority of the 300,000 people in Manila at that time buys a pair of shoes and he makes a profit of just one peso a pair, he will be in business.

He had with him two certified public accountants, the late Cesar Recinto and Senen Mendiola from Occidental Mindoro. Sy has kept Mendiola up to the present time, although he is no longer that mobile. Mendiola continues to keep his loyalties to his friend. He has a few shares in the original Sy business.

The next Shoemart opened in Makati in 1962. Then came the problem of running out of shoes to sell.

That gave Henry Sy the idea of going into what his son Hans calls soft lines, products like fashion and other home necessities.

|Today, Henry’s business empire covers 42 malls all over the country including 16 in various provinces. The first of a string of malls opened in 1985 in North Edsa.

Hans Sy said in an interview the company will keep alive Henry’s Sy’s business philosophy of public service because he has proven that there is money to make serving the people.

SM Prime Investments, the holding company that owns the malls, has five divisions including the supermarkets, retail operations and department stores.

The other "virtue" of Henry Sy is conservation and healthy concern for the environment.

According to Hans, his father makes sure that the water from the central air conditioning system is recycled. Money is saved. Mall of Asia is "zero waste water," according to Hans.

In Antipolo, Henry Sy has a four-hectare property which he converted into a catch basin. Hans Sy said the basin can impound water for three hours of rains in cats and dogs.

The basin does not give Sy money but it helps prevent floods and save lives and property of poor people in the area.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/03092012/busi1.html

[wakeuptoreality]

my guess is here in SM Seaside City Cebu

Cebu next in line for Uniqlo chain expansion
http://www.bworldonline.com/content....nsion&id=48584

FAST RETAILING Co. Ltd. is eyeing Cebu for the second phase of Uniqlo’s expansion in the Philippines after it succeeds in setting up multiple chains in Metro Manila, an official said last week.

This comes as Fast Retailing announced last month its plan to open the first Uniqlo store in Manila at the SM Mall of Asia in June 2012.

Fast Retailing, which partnered with Sy-led SM Retail, Inc. to import the apparel brand into the Philippines, expressed optimism in capturing the middle class markets of the country’s metropolitan cities.

“The Philippine market has two components. The first is composed of major cities like Manila and Cebu, and the second one are the island cities. We are attracted to the fact that Manila and Cebu are quite comparable to other major cities in Asia,” Naoki Otoma, Fast Retailing group executive vice-president, told BusinessWorld on Thursday in an interview.

“We want to make sure to grow the number of stores in Manila first. Probably, the next priority area would be Cebu,” he continued.

This year, the Philippines is set to become a new rallying point for Uniqlo’s expansion plans in Asia as executives expressed optimism toward the local economy’s long-term prospects.

Within the Southeast Asian region, Uniqlo already has five stores in Singapore, three in Malaysia, and another three in Thailand.

“What is important when studying expansion plans is
the stability of long-term economic growth and whether that is affected by political stability,” Mr. Otoma explained.

“Looking at the past three years and the next three years, the Philippine economy will grow very big,” he said.

“We also see consumption power and disposable income growth, so I believe there is a tremendous opportunity for us,” he added. -- Eliza J. Diaz

[RonnieR]

Consumers buying more products online
(The Philippine Star) Updated March 19, 2012 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

MANILA, Philippines - Consumers are now buying more products online as they become more confident with the security features of payment services against hackers and identity thieves.

This growing consumer trust became more pronounced among Smart Money users last year, when the country’s first and largest electronic wallet service posted a 133-percent surge in online transactions.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx...bCategoryId=66

[Bosnyboy]

Originally Posted by krazy816

The only ones missing now are the Swedish duo of H&M and IKEA but if IKEA does come to the PH, will pinoys go for the the "assemble it yourself" concept of IKEA furniture?

I think they would. If ever they dont have time to assemble them or dunno how, they always call friendly manong sa kanto or any jobless guy off the street to do it for them

[Nabartek]

I have a bad customer service with SM. One product I bought was defective (how it was programmed). I tried to return it but the problem was they wont refund me my money. Dapat daw pumili ako ng ibang product sa same section!

[amigo32]

Reklamo sa DTI

parinig mo lang ang DTI sa kanila, aasikasuhin ka na agad, takot lang nila

[antiFRT]

Originally Posted by Nabartek

I have a bad customer service with SM. One product I bought was defective (how it was programmed). I tried to return it but the problem was they wont refund me my money. Dapat daw pumili ako ng ibang product sa same section!

I think tama yung mga taga-SM.

[Nabartek]

Originally Posted by antiFRT

I think tama yung mga taga-SM.

How is it "tama"?

[jpdm]

Originally Posted by Bosnyboy

The retail trade act has to be amended first before more major foreign retailing companies enter our country. Right now kasi our retail trade is heavily biased towards the locals. Unfortunately wala namang mga pilipino ang may kakayahang magtayo ng malalaking negosyo. Kaya the current retailing environment favors only a select few like the fili-chinese tipans and ayala which is not exactly a bad things because it allowed them to grow as big as they are today. And with that size they were also able to penetrate other markets overseas like what sm, robinsons and lucio tan group is doing right now.

But if we ever want to see the signboards of carrefour, ikea, walmart etc etc then the retail trade act must be amended. It should lower the capital requirements for a foreign company to setup shop in the phils. It must also allow full ownership of that particular company over their business and they must be allowed to own the land too.

Walng kakayahan ang Pinoy magtayo ng malaking negosyo?Sigurado ka, lalo sa retail?

Mayroon din namang malls dito na hindi pag-aari ng Chinese-Pinoy tulad ng Star Mall, Sta Lucia, Pacific Mall, yung mga ibang malalaking commercial centers, mini-malls, supermarkets and groceries around the country, isama mo na mga public markets at baratillos..

Sa amin may Lotus Mall at FRC Mall mga tubong Caviteno may ari...

By the way, di ba pinoy ang Chinese Pinoy?

Dami nang retailers dito kaya di na kailangan ng foreign retailers. Besides, local malls have tenants carrying foreign brands naman.

Punta ka lang ng Rustans, Podium at Greenbelt..

Tsaka halos lahat naman ng binebenta sa Pinas imported. Kahit sa Baclaran at Divisoria.

[Askal82]

Originally Posted by Bosnyboy

I feel the time is ripe to allow foreign retailers to come in. If this happens this will be a win win situation for all of us. This will mean more jobs, more taxes paid, more choices for us consumers too. The foreign retailers also will be able to expand their business learn from the local culture and apply it to their overseas market. This will also help put the philippines as one of the great shopping capital of the world, and as a result will bring in more tourists and adds even more jobs. What a great boost to the gdp and gnp numbers indeed.

Agree.

[Askal82]

Originally Posted by jpdm

Walng kakayahan ang Pinoy magtayo ng malaking negosyo?Sigurado ka, lalo sa retail?

Mayroon din namang malls dito na hindi pag-aari ng Chinese-Pinoy tulad ng Star Mall, Sta Lucia, Pacific Mall, yung mga ibang malalaking commercial centers, mini-malls, supermarkets and groceries around the country, isama mo na mga public markets at baratillos..

Sa amin may Lotus Mall at FRC Mall mga tubong Caviteno may ari...

By the way, di ba pinoy ang Chinese Pinoy?

Dami nang retailers dito kaya di na kailangan ng foreign retailers. Besides, local malls have tenants carrying foreign brands naman.

Punta ka lang ng Rustans, Podium at Greenbelt..

Tsaka halos lahat naman ng binebenta sa Pinas imported. Kahit sa Baclaran at Divisoria.

That means Filipinos can compete in retail industry. Just allow the foreigners to come in. Besides, the retail industry doesn't really contribute much to the economic value of the country with the way these mall tycoons cheat the government of taxes and unethical labor practices such as contractualization. In addition, they take up a lot of space in the city that isn't used for productivity. All they do is fuel consumption led by remittances of overseas workers.

Since they have billions in wealth, they would be more useful to the economy if they start engaging in manufacturing activities instead where they can employ many people working in several departments and help the country to industrialize quicker.

[jpdm]

Originally Posted by Askal82

That means Filipinos can compete in retail industry. Just allow the foreigners to come in.

We are already allowing foreigner retailers here. Big retailers like S&R (US), Shangrila Mall (Kuok), Makro (Netherlands) are already here. Small to medium foreign retailers are here: 7-11 and mini-stop (Japan), Watsons ( Hongkong), Ace and Handyman (US) are already here plus those numerous foreign retailers with stores in most malls in the country.

Besides, the retail industry doesn't really contribute much to the economic value of the country with the way these mall tycoons cheat the government of taxes and unethical labor practices such as contractualization.

Partly agree if these retailers only sell imported products like Shopwise and Rustans. SM and Robinson's are now selling locally produced products under their "generic" brand Bonus and best choice..

Im not sure about them being tax cheats. Agree on contractualization as a bad economic practice.

In addition, they take up a lot of space in the city that isn't used for productivity. All they do is fuel consumption led by remittances of overseas workers.

True. Malls are destroying small retail businesses including public markets.

Since they have billions in wealth, they would be more useful to the economy if they start engaging in manufacturing activities instead where they can employ many people working in several departments and help the country to industrialize quicker.

Agree on this also.

[Juan Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by jpdm

... local malls have tenants carrying foreign brands naman.



Tsaka halos lahat naman ng binebenta sa Pinas imported (made in China). Kahit sa Baclaran at Divisoria.

Here's a problem.

Originally Posted by Askal82

... they would be more useful to the economy if they start engaging in manufacturing (made in the PHILIPPINES)
activities instead where they can employ many people working in several departments and
help the country to industrialize quicker.

Here's a solution.

[Bosnyboy]

Originally Posted by jpdm

Walng kakayahan ang Pinoy magtayo ng malaking negosyo?Sigurado ka, lalo sa retail?

Sorry sir maybe i wrote it wrong but what im trying to say is nobody was able to build malls in the scale like those built by filipino chinese. Like they got branches all over as well as outside the country.

[Bosnyboy]

Originally Posted by jpdm

We are already allowing foreigner retailers here. Big retailers like S&R (US), Shangrila Mall (Kuok), Makro (Netherlands) are already here. Small to medium foreign retailers are here: 7-11 and mini-stop (Japan), Watsons ( Hongkong), Ace and Handyman (US) are already here plus those numerous foreign retailers with stores in most malls in the country.

These foreign retailers came here as joint ventures. More big foreign firms would have setup business a long time ago if only they were allowed to fully own their business including the land theyre built on. With fully owned business, these foreign retailers will bring in foreign style workers rights, thereby possible elimination of hiring using contractual basis which is being used extensively by local mall operators much to the disadvantage of our local workers. So by luring foreign retailers to come in, everything will be upgraded and will be good for everyone. What we have now is quite few to what our neighbors have. China has walmart, taiwan, thai, malaysia and indonesia has carrefour(at least before) we dont. We dont have jusco, mitsukoshi, lotte which are asian retailers.

[Bosnyboy]

Originally Posted by Askal82

Since they have billions in wealth, they would be more useful to the economy if they start engaging in manufacturing activities instead where they can employ many people working in several departments and help the country to industrialize quicker.

True it would be better if they engaged in mfg BUT setting up mfg in our country is not feasible anymore. Costs are too high. Even local retailers like bench, penshoppe have their goods mfg in china and other asian countries.

Its more profitable to just have items mfg abroad and import them back. Besides having too many employees in a mfg firm is a big headache not to mention those pesky left leaning organization who infiltrates workers in order to gather money from the owners.