Global retailers, businessmen expected to attend APRCE Manila

Retailers and businessmen from across the globe that are looking to expand to Asia Pacific markets are expected to attend the Manila edition of the Asia Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition (APRCE) in October.

The APRCE is the biggest and longest running retail industry event in APAC and is expected to attract some 2,500 foreign and local, retailers and executives.

The last time the Philippines hosted this biennial event was two decades ago.

In the convention, which will happen on October 28 to 30 at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia, Pasay City, participants will find up-to-date developments in the world's fastest-growing region.

Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) president Lorenzo C. Formoso, COO of Duty Free Philippines, said the three-day event aims to explore and discover new approaches to issues facing the region’s retailers and highlight innovative solutions that can help them differentiate themselves from competitors and to deliver greater value to consumers.

He said that the 17 member economies of the Federation of Asia Pacific Retailers Association (FAPRA) will present their respective country reports during the APRCE breakout sessions.

These include reports from Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, New Zealand, India, Mongolia, Fiji, Turkey and the Philippines.

"The member-associations will present and discuss the retail environment and situation in their respective countries, retail and investment opportunities as well as the laws governing foreign investments in their respective retail industries," Formoso emphasized.

Frederick Go, Manila APRCE 2015 overall chairman, said through the country reports, FAPRA memberassociations will get the chance to present the strengths and opportunities their markets offer that attract international retailers to consider them in their expansion plans.

"If you are looking to expand and need good market intelligence about Asia Pacific and the 17 member- economies, the APRCE is a must-attend event for you this year. This is like a one-stop shop for all the market intelligence that you'll need for your expansion in Asia-Pacific markets," Go, who is also the president of Robinsons Recreation, Inc., stressed.

On Day 2 of the APRCE on October 29, the retail associations of Australia, Vietnam, China, India, Fiji, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia and South Korea will present their country reports during breakout sessions, to be followed by Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Turkey on the next day.

Aside from the country reports, over 30 experts will speak and share their insights on the trends and updates on the global retail and marketing industries during the event.