Future-proofing retail
SENATOR JUAN Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Leyte Representative Lucy Torres- Gomez, and Rustan Supercenters CEO Irwin Lee are among those who are sharing their insights during the 24th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo ( NRCE), which opened yesterday, Aug. 10, and will wrap up today, Aug. 11, at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
Billed as the biggest and most important retail event in the country, this year’s NRCE theme revolves around “Future-Proofing Retail” with an aim to provide a venue on discussing tips, insights, and solutions and help retail owners, top- level retail executives, and industry suppliers prepare and thrive in the fast- changing digital age.
RELEVANT TALKS ON RETAIL TODAY AND THE FUTURE
Besides the three keynote speakers mentioned above, the conference features international and local leaders and experts on the retail industry, including WGSN Insight Asia Pacific Senior Editor Erica Ng, who talked about the “Future of Retail: The NEW Rules;” McKinsey and Company Partner Anders Barlund, who discussed “Malls of the future: How global trends are chang ing the game”; and Hong Kon g - based Springtime Design Limited Managing Director Chris Dingcong on “Br a nd - ing by Design: Branding the Customer Journey” during the first day.
The other retail personal ities slated to talk today, and their respective topics, are as follows: Google Philippines Marketing Head Gabby Roxas on the “Evolving the Physical Store through digital transformation;” Zalora Philippines Cofounder and CEO Paulo Campos on the “Growth Opportunities in Philippine Fashion E- Commerce and Omni- Channel Retail in 2017;” FILSCAP Vice- President Jim Paredes on “The Impact of Music in the Marketplace;” TLC Solution Managing Director Susan Grace Rivera on the “Emerging Generation: Engaging Millennials;” and Insights Kantar Philippines CEO Gary De Ocampo on “Centennial Shoppers”
PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON NEW RETAIL TRENDS
To inspire new breed of young retailers, the NRCE put the spotlight yesterday on young and successful retail brand owners and heads, including Happy Skin Owner Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Worship Generation Business Development Head Kirk Chester Damasco, Apartment 8 Clothing President Sheira Lim, Straightforward Managing Director Jerald Sze, and Invitation House’s Bea Marquez, who talked about the challenges and gains in opening and managing a store as young retailers.
Another popular concept of anchoring food retail for mall development will be highlighted on day two panel discussion, featuring Wangfu Bistro Owners Richard Yap and Lester Pimentel, Sunnies Café CEO Eric Dee, Jr., Suyen Corporation General Manager Jude Ong, Stores Specialist Incorporated Executive Vice-President and GM Steven Sarmenta, and French Baker CEO Johnlu Koa.
SUPERMARKET TRACK
As support to the growing supermarket niche in the retail industry, the NRCE featured a special session on supermarket business on the first day. The Supermarket Track concerned topics on “The DTI and Retailers: One in serving consumers” by DTI Undersecretary Teodoro Pascua; “Supermarket trends in Asia Pacific” by IGD Singapore Program Director Shirley Zhu; and “Winning at point of sale” by Nielsen Philippines Executive Director Patrick Cua.
STORES ASIA EXPO
Coinciding with the conference is the only focused and dedicated retail suppliers’ exhibition in the country which features relevant and innovative tools for global retailing and directly links retail suppliers to their primary market, likewise an opportunity for networking.
To register or inquire about the 24th NRCE, please contact the PRA Executive Secretariat at 687- 4180, 687- 4181, 6874985, or e-mail ma rk e t ing@ philretailers. com, specialprojects@ philretailers. com, or visit www. nrce-ph.com.