Retail News CRM

Tag: Philippines

  • Cebu Pacific, PAL suspends domestic flights to and from Manila during MECQ

    Cebu Pacific, PAL suspends domestic flights to and from Manila during MECQ

    All Cebu Pacific and Cebgo DOMESTIC flights to/from Metro Manila are canceled from August 4  to 18, 2020, in line with the announcement of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) over Metro Manila and adjacent provinces, and continued community quarantine over the rest of the country.

    CEB will continue to operate the following domestic flights:

    ·         Clark-Cebu-Clark, every Tuesday

    ·         Cebu-Davao-Cebu, every Tuesday

    CEB also intends to operate the following international flights:

    Frequency
    5J 18 Manila-Dubai Every Sunday
    5J 19 Dubai-Manila Every Monday
    5J 194 Manila-Seoul (Incheon) Every Thursday
    5J 5059 Tokyo (Narita)-Manila Every Wednesday / Saturday
    (Starting Aug 8)
    5J 817 Osaka-Manila Every Friday  (Starting Aug 6)
    5J 807 Manila-Singapore Every Thursday / Saturday
    (Starting Aug 6)
    5J 808 Singapore-Manila Every Friday/ Sunday
    (Starting Aug 7)

    Flights between Manila and Taipei, along with all other Cebu Pacific international flights, are also canceled during this time.

    CEB will also continue to mount all-cargo flights to ensure the transport of essential goods across the country. We will also work with the government at the national and local levels to assist stranded passengers.

    Passengers on canceled flights have the following options:

    1.       Unlimited rebooking 
    Rebook to any travel date within three (3) months from original flight, with change (rebooking) fees and fare difference waived.  If travel is after three (3) months, change fees are waived, but minimal fare difference may apply.

    2.       Two-year Travel Fund 
    Place the full cost of the ticket in a Travel Fund, or a virtual wallet with Cebu Pacific. Valid for two (2) years, the Travel Fund can be used to pay for flights up to a year out, or purchase add-ons (e.g. baggage allowance, seat selection, etc.)

    3.       Full refund
    Passengers on canceled flights are entitled to a full refund. However, due to the unprecedented volume of requests for refunds, the process may take at least four (4) billing cycles.

    Anyone of these options can be availed by managing bookings online via the Cebu Pacific website. Customers who booked through travel agencies or online booking sites must coordinate with them to manage their bookings or claim refunds.

    This is a developing situation. We may adjust flights depending on government regulations. We will contact passengers through the email addresses and mobile numbers provided upon booking for any information regarding their flights. We shall also provide updates through our website and official social media accounts.

    PAL

    Philippine Airlines said all its domestic flights to and from Manila (MNL) from August 4 to 18, 2020 are also canceled.

    PAL said domestic flights between Clark, Cebu, Davao and cities other than Manila are not affected and shall remain operational.

    International flights to and from Manila shall continue to operate, subject to further guidelines from the authorities in line with quarantine capacity and related arrangements.

    Domestic passengers of these canceled flights have options to rebook, refund or convert their ticket into a travel voucher.

    PAL told its guests that they seek the understanding and full cooperation “as we make these necessary changes to comply with the government directives and above all to support public safety.”

  • NBA and Titan launch merchandising partnership in the Philippines

    NBA and Titan launch merchandising partnership in the Philippines

    The US National Basketball Association (NBA) has signed a multiyear merchandising partnership with Titanomachy, Philippines’ basketball specialty store.

    Under the partnership, NBA will relaunch its official e-commerce store in the Philippines, which is operated by Titan, next month.

    The online store will offer a wide selection of merchandise from all NBA’s 30 teams, including jerseys, shirts, footwear, headwear, outerwear, accessories and equipment.

    “We look forward to providing passionate Filipino fans with unprecedented access to authentic NBA products through the relaunch of the league’s online store,” said Lesley Rulloda, NBA Asia Associate VP of global merchandising.

    The NBA online store will also feature exclusive collections and products, including the NBA Philippines Tees Collection.

    “Our newly forged partnership with the NBA will enable us to cater to a wider range of Filipino basketball fans and equip them with new ways to express their love for their favorite teams, players and league,” said Mike Ignacio, MD of Titanomachy.

    The NBA Philippines is the league’s 25th branded international e-commerce store.

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia Philippines reports 30% jump in sales

    AirAsia Philippines reports 30% jump in sales

    AirAsia Philippines said ticket sales were increasing as it gradually ramped up operations and offered flexible rebooking options amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

    The budget carrier, part of Malaysia’s AirAsia Group, said June ticket sales rose by 30 percent versus May, when major cites around the Philippines were still under lockdown rules.

    “AirAsia’s road to recovery has started and this has kept us in good spirits knowing that we are in the midst of the aviation industry’s upturn,” AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said.

    “We are committed to gradually restoring our network. This month, we are glad to resume international flights, starting with Kuala Lumpur, where AirAsia’s headquarters is located,” he added.

    The company said it contributed to AirAsia Group’s recent record-breaking 41,000 single-day seats sold last June 24.

    For local flights, popular routes were Manila to Puerto Princesa and Davao. Flights to and from Davao similarly showed consistently high load factors throughout the month.

    Lees ook:

  • Ikea Manila opening delayed after construction issues

    Ikea Manila opening delayed after construction issues

    Construction interruptions have delayed the expected opening date of the long-awaited Ikea Manila store.

    Ikea Southeast Asia has released a short video on LinkedIn summarising the company’s progress in various markets. It says that the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic meant construction had to be suspended.

    The new store, the first Ikea in the Philippines and located next to SM’s Mall of Asia, was announced two years ago and due to open this year. No set date has been given as yet, only “by next year”.

    Work has now resumed on the site after several weeks of closures due to Covid-19 situation. It appears from the video that the construction is already at the third floor of the project.

    Located in the Manila Bay area, the Ikea Pasay City occupies a 67,760sqm area which will make it the biggest Ikea store in the world.

    Meanwhile, Ikea says after a review of the Vietnam market, it now plans to open its first store there in Ho Chi Minh City, rather than Hanoi as originally planned. The country’s home-furnishing market is estimated at US$4.4 billion a year, with Ho Chi Minh accounting for a 18 percent share and Hanoi a lesser 11 percent.

    The company is also working on other infrastructures at other stores around the region such as the development of a multi-story car park and “foodwalk” at its Mega Bangna store in Bangkok.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Cebu Pacific to lay off more employees

    Cebu Pacific to lay off more employees

    Budget carrier Cebu Pacific will be laying off more employees across the board, as the airline industry reels from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. At least 30% of the 4,000-member workforce, or around 1,200 employees, could be affected by “layoffs or voluntary separation.”

    When asked for confirmation, Cebu Pacific communications director Charo Logarta Lagamon sent a statement confirming what the airline called “rightsizing.”

    “Cebu Pacific is undergoing a transformation process that aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business, given the expected changes in travel demand and consumer behavior. We expect travel recovery to happen over a longer period, with COVID-19 negatively impacting the aviation industry,” she said in a statement sent to Rappler.

    “The rightsizing of Cebu Pacific will be necessary to fulfill our commitment to provide affordable and accessible air transport services to every Juan in the years to come.”

    Layoffs will affect employees “across functions, roles, and departments,” Lagamon said. She added that the details have yet to be finalized.

    To stay updated on news, advisories, and explainers, check out our special coverage page, “Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.”

    This is the latest blow to the airline industry as demand for air travel plunged after the coronavirus spread across the world earlier this year, from the ground zero of the outbreak in Wuhan, China.

    Domestic flights in the Philippines resumed only in June when the capital region was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine, but these remained limited. Physical distancing must also be in place during flights, forcing airlines to leave half of the plane seats vacant.

    Back in March, Cebu Pacific laid off 150 newly hired cabin crew when Metro Manila was first placed under lockdown. Cebu Pacific executives had voluntarily taken pay cuts at that time.

    On June 18, the budget carrier’s ground handler 1Aviation Groundhandling Services Corporation announced that over 1,000 employees were laid off.

    Other airlines have been badly hit as well. In late February, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) terminated some 300 employees to avoid further losses.

    AirAsia Philippines had to slash jobs by 12% too, laying off 260 employees.

    In a bid to help the industry, Philippine aviation authorities deferred charging airport fees for the year, including landing, takeoff, and parking fees.

    The Air Carriers Association of the Philippines estimated that the industry needs some P8.6 billion in government subsidy per month to survive.

  • Philippine chain Allhome eyes compact store formats

    Philippine chain Allhome eyes compact store formats

    Philippines retailer The Villar Group plans to open more compact versions of its Allhome DIY and building-supplies stores.

    The move is a bid to position outlets within closer range of shoppers reluctant to travel far from home during the coronavirus pandemic. The new “Quick Fix” stores will stock DIY and a broad range of homeware.

    “With the lockdown easing out and when the economic situation improves, AllHome may see itself opening more new stores, given its capability to fast track fit-out construction,” AllHome VC Camille Villar said.

    The new outlets are likely to be located next to The Villar Group’s AllDay convenience stores to take advantage of the firm’s property opportunities.

    The building-supplies chain operates 45 stores throughout the Philippines, roughly half of which were opened last year as part of an aggressive expansion strategy.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Mall vacancy rates in the Philippines set to rise

    Mall vacancy rates in the Philippines set to rise

    Mall vacancy rates in the Philippines will rise to 12 percent this year, predicts real estate consultancy company Colliers.

    The company says falling footfalls due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a move by consumers online are impacting the business of physical stores.

    According to Colliers, mall vacancy rates in the Philippines are also rising because more retailers have created their own e-commerce platforms or joined major social media channels to boost online sales.

    “By expanding online strategies and partnering with apps to facilitate seamless delivery, retailers should be able to offset any softer retail demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the government’s implementation of a lockdown,” said Colliers Philippines.

    Meanwhile, data from the Philippine Payments Management shows online payments rose significantly in April, with a recorded rate of 32.2 percent growth from 6.7 million InstaPay transactions.

    However, the company’s survey from March found that more than 80 percent of respondents still want to keep shopping in brick-and-mortar stores.

    Lees ook:

  • Uniqlo opens new Vietnam store, goes online in the Philippines

    Uniqlo opens new Vietnam store, goes online in the Philippines

    Japanese fast-fashion retailer Uniqlo is to open its third store in Ho Chi Minh City this week and will debut online in the Philippines.

    Less than a month after the opening of the Ho Chi Minh’s second store at SC Vivo City, Uniqlo Vietnam is to launch another store in the country’s tallest building Landmark 81 this Friday (June 5).

    Occupying a 2000sqm area, the Uniqlo Landmark 81 store features the brand’s LifeWear products for males, females and kids. The store also features Uniqlo’s latest collections including the Billie Eilish x Takashi Murakami UT. To celebrate the opening, Uniqlo Landmark 81 is running several promotions such as giving away Uniqlo’s mugs and Landmark 81 SkyView tickets.

    Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the fast-fashion brand says it will launch online in the second half of this year.

    “An online store will provide local Uniqlo customers a faster and easier way of purchasing their favorite LifeWear items,” said Masayoshi Nakamura, COO at Uniqlo Philippines.

    Lees ook:

  • Cebu Pacific resumes some domestic flights yesterday

    Cebu Pacific resumes some domestic flights yesterday

    Budget airline Cebu Pacific on Saturday said it would resume some domestic flights by June 2, but international flights would remain suspended from June 1 to 30.

    “We will continue to work with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), as well as other national and local government authorities, on the rules and requirements to resume commercial passenger flights between areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ),” Cebu Pacific said in a statement.

    “In Manila, all flights will depart and arrive from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. All International flights remain suspended from June 1 to 30, 2020,” it added.

    The airline management reiterated that leisure travel was still prohibited by the government.

    It added that guests should check guidelines from the ”IATF and with the local governments of their origin and destination for the required documents.“

    Cebu Pacific also said they will provide updates on flight schedules from June 5 onwards as they “build-up domestic flight network, depending on market demand, quarantine restrictions and government regulations.”

  • AirAsia to resume Philippine domestic flights starting June 3

    AirAsia to resume Philippine domestic flights starting June 3

    AirAsia announced on Sunday that it will be resuming its domestic flights starting June 3 as quarantine protocols are eased in several areas in the country including Metro Manila.

    In an advisory, AirAsia said that resumption of services will gradually increase to include international destinations by July 1.

    Selected domestic flights are available for booking via the airline’s website or mobile application. Travelers can also use their credit accounts to redeem these flights.

    AirAsia also announced that operations for domestic flights will be temporarily moved to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from its previous location at Terminal 4.

    Travelers were advised to expect enhanced safety measures which include the mandatory wearing of face masks to be permitted to travel, among others.

    AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said assured the traveling public that they are “well prepared to welcome everyone aboard.”

    “During the hibernation of our fleet, we took the time to step up our handling procedures to ensure that our guests have a swift and safe journey with us. Needless to say, we are well prepared to welcome everyone on board,” Isla said.

    “As we resume our services around our network, AirAsia is determined to help rebuild our economy and country,” Isla added.

    Other airline companies such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have earlier announced the resumption of some flight operations this June.

    Lees ook:

  • Foodpanda in the Philippines expands into groceries delivery

    Foodpanda in the Philippines expands into groceries delivery

    Food-delivery service Foodpanda in the Philippines has expanded into grocery deliveries. Partnering with major retailers such as 7-Eleven, the company said it has introduced a “Shops” function on the Foodpanda app.

    “Shops provide Foodpanda users more options and upgrades so they will never have to run out of everyday essentials,” said Paolo Biondi Te, head of the grocery at Foodpanda in the Philippines.

    “With this newly added service, we are confident that this will bring delight and satisfaction to our customers who need easy access to their daily essentials while providing elevated experiences to Filipinos’ everyday lives,” he added.

    The “Shops” function works similarly to other grocery-delivery services which allow customers to place orders from a shop and track it through the Foodpanda app.

    Lees ook:

  • Jollibee Foods vows to make the most of Covid-19 virus opportunities

    Jollibee Foods vows to make the most of Covid-19 virus opportunities

    Filipino restaurant operator Jollibee Foods is set to open 171 stores globally and renovate 96 outlets this year, aiming to capture prime locations made available in a weak economic climate brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

    While that number of planned new stores is less than it predicted prior to the advent of Covid-19, the company still sees an opportunity to expand despite an extremely challenging start to the year globally.

    The firm will also spend US$137.9 million on a restructuring of its international business, which will include attention to non-performing stores, store network, supply chain facilities, and management and support group structure.

    Jollibee Foods will devote some resources to the establishment of new delivery and take-out services – including unmarked delivery outlets without dine-in facilities – in anticipation of a slow return to business-as-usual following the resolution of the pandemic.

    “2020 is an extremely challenging year for JFC as for most other businesses, but out of this transformation, we aim to emerge in 2021 as an even stronger business and organization,” said Jollibee chairman Tony Tan Caktiong.

    CFO Ysmael Baysa said the company expects its profit for 2020 will “not be good at all due to the overall economic environment. But like Caktiong, he put a positive spin on the crisis: “We are taking this opportunity to implement truly major changes in 2020 so that JFC will start 2021 in a much stronger position in terms of business model, operating efficiency, profitability and organization strength.

    “We will then resume strong and consistent profitable growth for the years ahead.”

    In January, Jollibee Foods reported a 14.4-per-cent drop in earnings after operating income fell by 25.1 percent.

    However a strong fourth quarter prevented a worse annual result, with operating income up 11.6 percent on a 23.2-per-cent boost on systemwide sales.

    “Practically all brands in the Philippines improved their same-store sales growth quarter on quarter, led by Jollibee, Red Ribbon, Greenwich and Burger King,” said a spokesperson then.

    Besides regional expansion across Vietnam, China and other Asian markets, the company is trying to restructure the troubled Coffee Bean business it bought last year and Smashburger, a year earlier. It is also looking to expand the Tim Ho Wan business in China and wants to open new restaurants under various banners in North America.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, AirAsia flights still canceled until May 31

    Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, AirAsia flights still canceled until May 31

    All domestic and international flights of the Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, and AirAsia airlines remain canceled until May 31, 2020 in line with the implementation of the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.

    “We encourage passengers on canceled flights to manage their bookings online via the website, before their scheduled travel dates,” Cebu Pacific said in an advisory on Wednesday.

    When rescheduling, passengers may select from either free rebooking or full travel fund.

    Under free rebooking, passengers may rebook to any travel date within three months. Change rebooking fees and fare difference are waived, according to Cebu

    For a full travel fund, passengers may place the full cost of the ticket in a travel fund valid for one year. This fund can then be used within one year either to book a flight up to one-year ahead or pay for add-ons like baggage allowance and seat selection.

    If the travel fund is not used within one year, passengers can also apply for a full refund, said Cebu Pacific.

    Processing of refunds will start after the community quarantine is lifted and regular work schedules resume.

    “However, due to the unprecedented volume of requests for refunds, the process will take as long as three to four billing cycles,” the airlines company said.

    Passengers with booked flights from June 1 to September 30, 2020 who want to change travel plans have the option to rebook to any other travel date within one year or place the full cost of the ticket in a travel fund valid for one year.

    Meanwhile, AirAsia also said it is offering provisions for passengers affected by flight cancellations following the government directive.

    “Guests with existing flight bookings made on or before 12 May 2020 with a departure date between 23 March and 31 July 2020 will now be able to select from a range of extended flexibility options for future travel,” the airlines said in a separate advisory.

    AirAsia said one of these options is unlimited flight change or changing to a new travel date before October 31 on the same route for unlimited number of times and without any additional cost subject to seat availability. The other option is a credit account or retaining the value of the flight booking for future travel with AirAsia to be redeemed within 730 calendar days from the issuance date.

  • Cebu Pacific slips into first-quarter loss

    Cebu Pacific slips into first-quarter loss

    Cebu Pacific posted an operating loss of Ps693 million ($13.7 million) in the first quarter of 2020, reversing the Ps3.85 billion operating profit made in the same period last year.

    Total revenue for the quarter ended 31 March fell 24.9% to Ps15.9 billion, as revenue from passenger, cargo, and ancillary segments fell across the board.

    The low-cost carrier’s expenses declined 4.2% to Ps16.6 billion, due to a sharp fall in costs associated with reduced flying operations, as well as reservation and sales. On the other hand, costs from depreciation and amortization, and aircraft maintenance costs were all higher.

    Cebu Pacific thus slipped into a net loss of Ps1.18 billion, down from a net profit of Ps4 billion last year. Factors contributing to the net loss include losses from hedging and foreign exchange.

    Cash and cash equivalent stood at Ps17.5 billion as of 31 March, down from the Ps22.5 billion a year before.

    During the quarter, Cebu Pacific grew its fleet from 75 to 76 aircraft, having added one Airbus A320neo.

    Lees ook:

  • Cebu Pacific offers flexible options for travelers

    Cebu Pacific offers flexible options for travelers

    In light of the World Tourism Organization’s #TravelTomorrow campaign, Cebu Pacific Airline encourages travelers to be responsible and stay at home amid the current health crisis as it offers flexible options for passengers whose flights have been canceled.

    Among the self-service options that can be done conveniently online are free rebooking, full travel funds, and a full refund. Free Rebooking By availing of this option, guests can rebook their canceled flights to any other travel date within three months from the original date, with no additional charges—both change (rebooking) fees and fare difference are waived. Who must avail of this: This is perfect for those just waiting for the skies to clear, and still need to travel at the soonest time possible.

    Full Travel FundThose who opt for the full travel fund, the full cost of their ticket will be stored in a virtual wallet—said amount can be used to either book a flight up to one year ahead or pay for add-ons such as baggage allowance and seat selection. If the travel fund is not used within a year, passengers can instead apply for a full refund. Who must avail of this: This can come in handy for those still waiting things out or those who are re-assessing their existing travel plans.

    Passengers who prefer to receive a full refund, processing of requests will begin on May 18 should the ECQ be lifted and regular work schedules resume. However, due to the unprecedented volume of requests for refunds, Cebu Pacific appeals for kind understanding as the process will take as long as three to four billing cycles (a cycle typically lasts 20-45 days).

    Who must avail of this: This is suited for those who might need the cash for other purposes, and are putting their travel plans on hold. For added flexibility, passengers with booked flights from May 16 to Sept. 30, 2020 who wish to voluntarily change their travel plans have the following options, all free of charge: – Rebook to any other travel date within one year from original date of departure, with change (rebooking) fees waived, but fare difference may apply;- Convert full cost of the ticket to a Travel Fund, which is now valid for one year. This allows passengers to decide and book their trips within a year for flights as far as one year ahead.

    Flights can be easily managed online via the “Manage Booking” portal on the Cebu Pacific website. Customers who booked through a travel agent should contact their agent for assistance.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: