Retail News CRM

Tag: Philippines

  • McDonald’s Philippines marries value meals with mobile access

    McDonald’s Philippines marries value meals with mobile access

    McDonald’s Philippines has partnered with mobile services provider Smart Communications in its latest marketing promo to encourage customers to purchase value meals.

    Every order of any McDonald’s Value Meal plus fries or sundae comes with a free Smart messaging coupon that gives customers a whole day of unlimited text and unlimited access to mobile chat apps.

    The Philippines has about 102.8 million mobile subscriptions in 2013 or over 100 percent of the population, according to data from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Most people, however, are on prepaid subscription.

    The Smart messaging coupons to be given away with the meals gives a prepaid subscriber all-day access to SMS and chat apps such as Facebook Messenger, Line, Viber, WeChat and Whatapp – without need for WiFi connection.

    “Our subscribers can expect more perks and freebies as we move toward further enriching their mobile lifestyle,” said Joel Lumanlan, Smart Prepaid head.

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  • Philippine telcos unveil more payment options for digital goods

    Philippine telcos unveil more payment options for digital goods

    Telecommunications companies in the Philippines are making it easier for Filipino shoppers to purchase digital goods such as apps, games, books, magazines, music and movies.

    With only around four percent of Filipinos owning credit cards, according to the CIA Fact Book in 2013, it is difficult for consumers to participate in e-commerce and fully enjoy a digital lifestyle.

    With the direct carrier billing service now provided by both Smart Communications Inc. the and Globe Telecom, it is expected that

    The pay-with-load service of Smart Communications, dubbed Pay-With-Mobile, unveiled on Friday, allows subscribers to purchase from the App Store and iTunes using prepaid load or to charge the purchase to their monthly phone bill.

    The service, which Smart said will be fully available on 18 February, eliminates the need for a credit card to make in-app purchases, which has long been a barrier for many Philippine shoppers.

    Smart said a 15 percent premium will be charged on top of the published App Store and iTunes rates to account for VAT (value-added tax) and foreign exchange rate difference in US dollars.

    To get started, users need to register their mobile number to get a Pay-With-Mobile number, which they can enroll in their Apple ID account to start making purchases.

    “Smart understands that not everyone owns a credit card, but that shouldn’t stop people from realizing the full potential of their mobile devices,” said Charles Lim, EVP and Wireless Consumer Division Head at Smart.

    Globe Telecom, for its part, has earlier launched its own direct carrier billing services for in-app purchase on Google Play last October.

    For Apple customers, Globe susbscribers can purchase from the Apple App store through the GCash American Express Virtual Pay, a service it introduced in 2012.

    Globe said app purchases comprise 27 percent of total GCash American Express Virtual Play purchases. Meanwhile, Google Play Store app purchases has more than doubled since its launch last October.

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  • Philippines’ Robinsons to put up 7 new malls

    Philippines’ Robinsons to put up 7 new malls

    Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), the property development arm of tycoon John Gokongwei, is opening more shopping centers over the next two years as it intends to retain its foothold as among the top mall developers in the country.

    RLC said it intends to put up seven new shopping centers and expand three existing malls in the next two years.

  • Puregold acquires 9 supermarts north of Metro Manila

    Puregold acquires 9 supermarts north of Metro Manila

    Puregold Price Club Inc. of retail tycoon Lucio Co is expanding its presence in Nueva Ecija and other provinces north of Metro Manila as it gobbles up more supermarkets and commercial properties owned by Nueva Ecija-based retailer NE Inc. Puregold told the local bourse on Wednesday that it acquired nine supermarkets located in Cabanatuan and San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Baliwag, Bulacan; Baler, Aurora and Santiago, Isabela.

  • PH opens mammoth casino-resort, seeking high-rollers

    PH opens mammoth casino-resort, seeking high-rollers

    The new casino is an imposing structure on Manila Bay with 6 gleaming golden towers surrounding a giant egg-shaped dome, and industry and government leaders hope it will attract cashed-up tourists from other parts of Asia

    Tourist and casino players arrive at the grand opening of the City of Dreams mega-casino in Manila on February 2, 2015. Photo by Jay Directo/AFP

    Manila aims to rival Macau and Las Vegas in terms of gaming revenues, and the “City of Dreams” is the latest in a string of casinos that have opened in recent years.

    The new casino is an imposing structure on Manila Bay with 6 gleaming golden towers surrounding a giant egg-shaped dome, and industry and government leaders hope it will attract cashed-up tourists from other parts of Asia.

    The casino is a joint venture between the country’s richest man Henry Sy, Australian billionaire James Packer and Lawrence Ho, son of Macau casinomogul Stanley Ho.

    “The goal is to find the best (sites) in Asia … The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies anywhere in the world. We’ve seen the market really pick up,” Ho told reporters.

    Australian billionaire James Packer (right) and Melco crown co-chairman and with his co-chairman Lawrence Ho (center) during a press conference on the opening of the City of Dreams mega-casino in Manila on February 2, 2015. Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP

    Ho also acknowledged the huge cost of building the resort. The Philippine government requires a minimum $1 billion investment for new casinos built in the area.

    Packer said jokingly that the resort was inspired by Hollywood movies “Casino” and “Oceans Eleven,” and Robert de Niro, Martin Scorsese, and Leonardo DiCaprio have appeared on giant billboards and TV commercials to promote the casino.

    The 6.2-hectare complex is the second of 4 mega resorts to open on reclaimed portions of the bay, just a few hundred meters from the city’s slum communities.

    The City of Dreams’ golden dome, called the “Fortune Egg,” houses two exclusive nightclubs, including Pangaea, where Picasso copies hang beside pictures of safari animals on walls covered in fake snakeskin.

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  • Wings chain lands in Philippines

    Wings chain lands in Philippines

    US-based Buffalo Wild Wings opened its first restaurant in the Philippines on Thursday, (January 29).

    The new restaurant at Capitol Commons in Pasig City is the first of several to open in the Southeast Asian country, joining more than 1070 Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in North America.

    “Between our fresh, diverse menu and sports centric dining experience, we are confident that Filipinos will enjoy this new option for watching their favorite sporting events,” said Sally Smith, CEO and president.

    Aside from delivering on its mantra of ‘Wings. Beer. Sports.’ Buffalo Wild Wings locations will feature the company’s new restaurant design, which provides the ultimate sports viewing experience while bringing the look and feel of the stadium experience into the restaurant.

    The Philippines is the third overseas market the chain is expanding into, after Canada and Mexico.

    “What we’ve found through our international expansion is that true passion for sports and the camaraderie that comes with watching a big game with family and friends is a universal phenomenon,” said Smith.

    Buffalo Wild Wings serves Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings, available in 21 signature sauces and seasonings, ranging from Sweet BBQ to Blazin’. It also offers a full menu of burgers, appetisers and thin-crust flatbreads, all designed to be shared with friends, and a wide selection of beers.

    Each restaurant has an extensive multi-media system that features large wall-to-wall high-definition televisions for excellent sports viewing.

    The Pasig City restaurant is operated by The Bistro Group, which currently owns and operates 10 restaurant concepts, a culinary centre (The Bistro Academy) comprised of international franchises, as well as homegrown brands. The franchise group expects to open multiple Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in the Philippines over the coming years.

    Buffalo Wild Wings will soon expand into Dubai and Saudi Arabia later in 2015 and is eyeing other international market opportunities.

    “As we explore new markets, we take the time to learn about the countries, cultures and potential partners,” said Smith. “We’re pleased to be working with a franchise partner in the Philippines who understands the needs and interests of this dynamic, evolving market, as well as our target guest, and shares our philosophy of bringing people together through great food and sports.”

  • Massive 7-Eleven rollout planned

    Massive 7-Eleven rollout planned

    Listed Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC), the local licensee of 7-Eleven Convenience Stores, will boost its capital spend this year by 50 per cent to expand its network.

    The company says it ended 2014 with 1282 stores – 273 more than at the same time a year earlier. It opened 286 and closed 13 during the year.

    Now it says it will spend P3 billion (US$68 million) in 2015 to fund an “accelerated store expansion strategy”.

    Some 350 stores could be added by the end of the calendar year with PSC eager to take the brand further beyond metro Manila.

    Jose Victor Paterno, president and CEO, said the long-term growth prospects for convenience store retailing in the nation are favorable.

    He believes the organisation can sustain its momentum to meet earnings and store expansion goals.

    “PSC has taken steps to protect and expand its leadership in light of increased competition, recognising that rewards for market share are especially strong in the convenience store sector.”

    Philippine Seven Corporation operates the largest convenience store network in the country. It acquired the licence for 7-Eleven in the Philippines from Southland Corporation (now Seven Eleven Inc.) of Dallas, Texas in December 1982.

  • SSI launches online store in Philippines

    SSI launches online store in Philippines

    An online store recently launched in the Philippines by Stores Specialists will soon become the nation’s online gateway to global brands.

    Stores Specialists Inc is a member of the SSI Group, the number one lifestyle specialty retailer in the Philippines, a member of the Rustan’s Group of companies. It manages leading fashion, luxury and lifestyle brands like Gucci, Prada, Anne Klein, Ferragamo, Michael Kors, Hamley’s and Pottery Barn.

    The new website, SSI Life offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase a curated array of products from the SSI Group’s roster of brands in a convenient ‘anytime-anywhere’ online platform.

    The site carries a curated array of products from 25 international brands now, with more to be added in the following months. The site currently includes a selection from Marks & Spencer, TWG Tea, Oliviers & Co, Payless Shoe Source, Nine West, Aerosoles, Bass, Superga, Steve Madden, MBT, OkaB, A/X Armani Exchange, Replay, High Sierra, Samsonite, Make Room & More and Beauty Bar.

    Anton Huang, president of SSI Group, Inc, says the website offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase from SSI’s portfolio of international brands while experiencing the same premium service the company is trusted for at store level, on an online platform.

    “We are the only eCommerce participant that is able to implement an Omni-channel approach, where our bricks and mortar stores will complement the online shopping experience of our customers and vice-versa,” he said.

    In time the company will take its growing portfolio of international brands – now numbering 106 – in over 600 store locations, to a 24-seven digital retail platform.

    “We will deliver our commitment of “Bringing the Best of the World to the Philippines” to a poised and ready growing online lifestyle shopping market,” said Huang.

    SSI says it is committed to customer satisfaction not just through its selection of brands, but with a guarantee to deliver a unique digital shopping experience. Through SSI Life, customers are able to tailor their shopping experience with options to browse and purchase online or browse online and purchase offline in stores.

    More brands will be added in the months to come following the site’s soft launch last November with an initial 17.

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  • Index seals deal for Philippines

    Index seals deal for Philippines

    Thai homewares giant Index Living Mall has signed a Philippines partner as its Asian expansion continues.

    Index will team up with the Philippines largest retail and mall operator SM Group to run the franchise for the concept for at least five years.

    Index managing director Kridchanok Patamasatayasonthi told the Bangkok Post newspaper Index chose the Philippines due to its huge market potential.

    “There’s no furniture or furnishings chain like us in the country, just small local and imported furniture stores.”

    Index opened its first store in Vietnam about three years ago and its first in Malaysia last month, in the capital city of Putrajaya. It plans 30 stores across Malaysia over a 15-20 year timeline.

    The company is also eyeing opportunities in Indonesia and hopes to double its foreign sales within five years. It will soon have 25 stores in its home market.

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  • Retail ad only works when it rains

    Retail ad only works when it rains

    A unique retail advertising concept trialled in Hong Kong has grabbed attention for both its innovation and its relevance.

    Get caught in a rain shower when walking on the streets of Hong Kong and glance down you might just see one of the most unique advertising campaigns yet devised – an advertisement encouraging you to book a flight with Cebu Pacific Airlines to sun-soaked, rain-free Philippines…

    When monsoon season hits Hong Kong, rain showers are frequent – and frustrating. So what better than to tempt wet pedestrians to take a holiday in a tropical destination in the Philippines?

    Created by ad agency Ogilvy Asia, the campaign used a water-repellent spray stencilled onto the sidewalks in busy locations, according to a report by trend monitoring website Springwise.com. When the weather was dry, the ads weren’t visible. But when the rain fell, the message appeared as if by magic, spelling out the tagline ‘It’s Sunny in the Philippines’.

    The ad incorporated a QR code that offered more information and offered discounts on flights to the Philippines when scanned with a smartphone (providing you could use your smartphone without it getting wet!). According to the creators, the Cebu Pacific site saw a 37 per cent increase in bookings as a result of the campaign.

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