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Tag: ABC-Mart

  • ABC-mart Debuts In Philippines With ‘grand Stage’ Store, Marking New Chapter In Asian Expansion

    ABC-mart Debuts In Philippines With ‘grand Stage’ Store, Marking New Chapter In Asian Expansion

    Japanese retail giant ABC-Mart is set to make its first appearance in the Philippines with the opening of a store in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Manila, scheduled for September. This marks the corporate expansion of the company into a second market in the region following a successful launch in Vietnam which took place in 2022.

    Overseas Expansion

    ABC-Mart currently operates nearly 400 stores overseas, predominantly in South Korea and Taiwan. The company is also actively investigating opportunities for growth in other Asian countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.

    According to Kabir Buxani, the incoming CEO of Sonak Retail Group – the local partner of ABC-Mart – BGC is an ideal location for the brand’s first store in the Philippines. “BGC has a lively atmosphere and sets the tone for fashion in the region,” Buxani indicated.

    The Grand Stage Store

    The store, dubbed as the “Grand Stage,” will span two levels, covering an area of 750 square meters. It is expected to stock over 1,000 products including limited-edition sneakers, sandals, and clothing from major brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Asics, and New Balance.

    In addition, the store will showcase the company’s first-ever wellness corner worldwide, integrating footwear with lifestyle products.

    Koji Higashimae, CEO of ABC-Mart Sonak Philippines, stated that the company’s aspiration is to achieve a balance between variety and accessibility. “Our belief is that style should not compromise comfort and high-quality fashion should be within everyone’s reach,” Higashimae explained.

    Furthermore, the company has plans to open a second outlet later in the year at Mitsukoshi in BGC.

    Questions & Answers

    What is ABC-Mart’s expansion strategy in Asia?
    ABC-Mart is strategically expanding its retail footprint in Asia, having already established stores in South Korea and Taiwan. The company has now stepped into the Philippines and Vietnam, with future prospects in Thailand and Indonesia.

    What can customers expect at the new ABC-Mart store in BGC, Manila?
    Customers can look forward to a wide variety of over 1,000 products, including clothing, limited-edition sneakers, and sandals from well-known brands like Nike, Adidas, and others. The store will also introduce the company’s first-ever wellness corner, which will blend footwear with lifestyle products.

    What is the philosophy of ABC-Mart when it comes to fashion?
    ABC-Mart believes that style should not compromise comfort. The company aims to provide high-quality, fashionable products that are both diverse in variety and accessible to everyone.

  • Shoe store chain ABC-Mart seen beating profit forecast

    Shoe store chain ABC-Mart seen beating profit forecast

    A larger line-up of foreign brands for the end-of-year holiday season helped Japanese footwear retailer ABC-Mart grow its operating profit by a better-than-expected 3 per cent to about ¥43 billion (US$406 million) for its year to the end of February.

    It is the 15th straight year of growth for the company, which had forecast a 2 per cent lift in profit, as reported

    Sales rose 6 per cent to nearly ¥255 billion, boosted by such brands as Adidas and Nike. An unusually snowy winter created extra demand for boots and other winter footwear.

    Sales of women’s shoes, which were sluggish in fiscal 2016, seem to have bottomed out, thanks partly to television advertisements, says the company.

    ABC-Mart attracted more customers as it opened about 60 stores in downtown areas and in malls, and added locations of chains that cater to women and children. The retailer also refurbished about 30 stores in order to expand floor space and improve the look of its displays.

    In addition, ABC-Mart saw more Chinese and other foreign visitors shopping at its stores. Online sales also grew.

    In South Korea, where ABC-Mart has about 200 locations, sales grew but probably fell short of its forecast. Business appears to have taken a hit from Chinese restrictions on group tours to South Korea following Seoul’s decision to deploy a US missile defense system.