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Tag: Philippines

  • Indonesia’s Alfamart plans aggressive Philippine expansion

    Indonesia’s Alfamart plans aggressive Philippine expansion

    Indonesian convenience-store chain Alfamart plans to open 100 new stores in the Philippines by year end.

    Since opening its first Philippine store in 2014, Alfamart has grown its store network to around 600 stores, which are operated by its local partner SM Retail.

    Alfamart corporate affairs director Solihin says they have set up a subsidiary named DC Properties Management Corporation, in addition to the three distribution centers, to support its expansion drive.

    In Indonesia, Alfamart currently has more than 10,000 stores, having opened its first store in 1999.

    The convenience store market in the Philippines, dominated by 7-Eleven, is forecast to continue to grow as urbanization continues at a rapid pace and consumer confidence climbs. According to SM Supermalls COO Steven Tan, “retail in the Philippines remains vigorous and upbeat”.

    “Optimism to spend among Filipinos is more than just a sentiment. We see it translating into actual consumer behavior, especially retail,” he said.

  • Duty Free Philippines opens high-end downtown duty-free store

    Duty Free Philippines opens high-end downtown duty-free store

    Duty Free Philippines Corporation has opened a new downtown duty-free store called Duty Free Luxe at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

    Duty-Free Luxe offers high-end brands across categories including fashion, cosmetics, fragrance, confectionery, wine and spirits. It also houses an all-Filipino concept store Marahuyo, which sells curated high-end local brands, including the luxury handmade accessories brand Aranaz.

    Duty Free Philippines COO Pelagio Angala said the opening is aimed at addressing the fast-growing trend of selling duty-free products outside airports, and forms part of Duty Free Philippines ́s commitment to promote the country as a premier shopping destination.

    “We acknowledge our vital role and to stay ahead of our competitors and to strengthen the Philippines as a great destination for travellers, we continue to explore ways to offer unique and extraordinary experiences that cannot be replicated easily,” says Angala.

    Duty Free Philippines is a government corporation tasked with operating duty-and tax-free stores across the country. Since its first operation in 1987, Duty Free Philippines has expanded its network to include Fiestamall in Paranaque City, duty-free stores at the arrival and departures areas at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and a store at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu, among others. Half of its revenues are remitted to the Department of Tourism to support tourism projects in the Philippines.

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  • Hong Kong streetwear retailer Popcorn General Store opens in Manila

    Hong Kong streetwear retailer Popcorn General Store opens in Manila

    Hong Kong urban fashion retailer Popcorn General Store has launched in the Philippines at Ayala Mall Manila Bay in Pasay City.

    A PhilStar report lists a range of popular streetwear brands available at the store such as Supreme, ASSC, Chinatown Market, Rip N Dip, Wood Wood, Magic Stick, Ise, FR2, Carrots FDNMTL, and BBC.

    Popcorn also retails lifestyle products such as limited edition phone cases, skateboard decks, lighters, caps and keychains.

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  • Robinsons Retail profit dips despite sales growth

    Robinsons Retail profit dips despite sales growth

    Robinsons Retail reported a drop in profits during its third-quarter despite significant growth in net sales.

    The firm booked PHP1.25 billion (US$24.7 million) net income compared to PHP1.39 billion ($27.4 million) during the same period last year.

    The decline is thought to be due to changes in the Philippine Financial Reporting Standard 16, which had an impact on the firm’s method of presenting accounting results.

    At the same time the firm registered a 24.2-per-cent rise in net sales to PHP38.95 billion ($769 million). A statement from the firm attributed the sales jump to the opening of new stores over the past year as well as its addition of Rustan Supercenters, greatly enhancing the firm’s supermarket business.

    Robinsons Retail operates 1918 outlets in the Philippines.

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  • First Uniqlo Store opening in Baguio

    First Uniqlo Store opening in Baguio

    Japanese retailer Uniqlo is opening its first store in Baguio City on November 29.

    The 859sqm Uniqlo Baguio store at SM City is the brand’s first in the Cordillera region. It will carry its concept ‘Lifewear apparel’, which, according to the company, “comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, high-quality and longevity, made for everyone, everywhere”.

    Uniqlo debuted in the Philippines in 2012 when it opened its first location at SM Mall of Asia in Metro Manila. And in February this year, it began expanding outside Metro Manila, opening at Robinsons Place in Tuguegarao City. The retailer now has around 60 locations nationwide.

    Uniqlo says, it will quadruple its store network in Southeast Asia in the next decade as it recognizes great potential especially in countries including the Philippines and Vietnam, where it is also opening its first store in the country this month.

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  • Cebu Pacific, AirAsia launch new domestic routes

    Cebu Pacific, AirAsia launch new domestic routes

    Low-Cost carriers Cebu Pacific and Philippines AirAsia, Inc. started operating new domestic flights. The Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific launched a direct flight between Cebu and Busuanga, which is the gateway to Coron, Palawan. The operation of the Cebu-Busuanga flights is being carried out by Cebu Pacific’s wholly owned subsidiary Cebgo.

    “The first flight departs Cebu at 7:25 a.m., and arrives in Francisco B. Reyes Airport at 9:00 a.m.; while its return flight leaves Busuanga at 9:20 a.m. and arrives in Cebu at 11:00 a.m.,” Cebu Pacific said in a statement on Monday.

    “The second flight leaves Cebu at 10:25 a.m., and lands in Busuanga at 12:05 p.m.; while its turnaround flight departs at 12:25 p.m. and arrives at 2:10 p.m.,” it added.

    Apart from the new Cebu-Busuanga route, Cebu Pacific, along with Cebgo, flies to 37 domestic and 27 international destinations

    Meanwhile, Philippines AirAsia started offering its thrice-daily service between Manila and Bacolod on Monday.

    For the Manila-Bacolod route, the first 80-minute flight will depart Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 8:20 a.m., and the last one will depart Bacolod at 9:30 p.m.

    “We are excited to celebrate this milestone and to paint the Negros Island skies red. AirAsia’s presence in the region will make air travel more affordable not just for Negrenses but for everyone who wants to explore this part of the country,” AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ricardo P. Isla said during the inaugural ceremony at the Bacolod-Silay International Airport on Monday morning.

    Bacolod is the 11th domestic destination that AirAsia Philippines operates out of Manila. Overall, the carrier has more than 500 domestic and international flights weekly coming from its hubs in Manila, Clark, Cebu and Kalibo.

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  • Cebu Pacific extends China network

    Cebu Pacific extends China network

    Cebu Pacific continues to expand its reach in mainland China with two new direct services between Clark and Guangzhou, Puerto Princesa and Hong Kong, making it the first airline in the Philippines to fly these routes.

    The new routes are in line with the carrier’s plans to expand its route network in China, following the introduction of flights between Shenzen and Manila earlier this year.

    Starting from 11 November, flights between Clark and Guangzhou are scheduled to operate four times weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday). The flight departs Clark at 2335 while the return flight departs at 0315 on the next day.

    Guangzhou is a wholesalers’ haven for retail and popular consumer goods, making it an ideal destination for e-commerce micro-retailers and startup business people. For leisure travelers, the city appeals to foodies eager to experience world-renowned Cantonese cuisine.

    “With direct air service between Clark and Guangzhou, it will be easier for entrepreneurs and businessmen in the e-commerce space to meet up with suppliers, said Cebu Pacific vice president for commercial Alex Reyes. “They can conveniently attend mega-trade events such as the popular Canton Trade Fair.”

    “Chinese tourists will also gain access to the attractions that Luzon has to offer. From Clark, the Mount Pinatubo adventure trek is within a few hours drive away,” Reyes added.

    Cebu Pacific currently offers 27 flights weekly between the Philippines and mainland China, with direct between Shanghai, Manila and Cebu; as well as Manila and Beijing, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Shenzhen.

    Flights between Puerto Princesa and Hong Kong will start 17 November 2019, and passengers can choose from four weekly flights (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday).

    Flight 5J 5306 departs Puerto Princesa at 1535 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; and at 1605 on Saturdays. The return flight, 5J 5307 departs Hong Kong at 1930 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; and at 2000 on Saturdays.

    On the same day, CEB will launch its previously announced Clark-Puerto Princesa flight. Together, these two new routes increase capacity to Puerto Princesa by 7%.

    Palawan has consistently made the lists compiled by renowned travel publications of the world’s best and most beautiful islands. Puerto Princesa serves as the gateway to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage, as well as pristine beaches and other natural attractions such as El Nido, San Vicente and Port Barton.

    With the new Puerto Princesa – Hong Kong service, CEB connects Hong Kong to five destinations in the Philippines, more than any other carrier. Currently, Cebu Pacific flies 55 times weekly between the Philippines and Hong Kong, with direct flights to and from four of the airline’s major hubs–Manila, Cebu, Clark and Iloilo.

  • Philippines Central Bank Issues Islamic Finance Rules

    Philippines Central Bank Issues Islamic Finance Rules

    Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas aims to issue new implementation rules regarding Islamic finance before the end of the year and potentially allow banks to establish separate subsidiaries for the new business line.

    The BSP is pushing for an open approach where conventional banks can operate Islamic banking windows or establish subsidiary Islamic banks, BSP deputy governor Chuchi Fonacier said in a report, adding that she wants to issue implementation rules before the end of the year.

    Fonacier’s statement was made close on the heels of the Filipino government’s enactment of a law to promote Islamic finance which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in late August.

    BSP governor Benjamin E. Diokno said the law would «unlock the full potential of Islamic financing in fostering inclusive economic growth» highlighting the opportunity to access the banking system for Muslim Filipinos, particularly in the southern autonomous Bangsamoro Region. Fonacier echoed the sentiments adding that foreign Shariah-compliant banks would also be allowed to operate in the Philippines.

    Islamic banking in the Philippines is promising, she said.

    Despite a sizeable ten percent minority of Filipinos being Muslims, banking services catered to the segment’s needs remain limited. Of the country’s 45 universal and commercial bank groups only one – the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines – operations in compliance with Shariah principles.

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  • Taiwanese milk-tea brand CoCo continues rapid Philippines expansion

    Taiwanese milk-tea brand CoCo continues rapid Philippines expansion

    Taiwanese milk-tea brand CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice is slated to open its third store in Cebu City, Philippines in 2020.

    CoCo debuted in the urbanized city in March this year when it opened at the SM Seaside City shopping mall, followed by a second outlet six months later.

    GM Larry Evans Tan says “Cebu City was one of the most-requested areas that the company received for CoCo to be present in”.

    Originating in Taiwan, CoCo is operated by Tobistro Foods in the Philippines. Having opened its first store in the country in 2015, it now has 35 nationwide. And it is looking to take the number to 40 by the end of the year, expanding into other markets including Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo.

    The milk-tea brand CoCo says that the bubble-tea craze is so high in the Philippines that people order via food delivery service GrabFood at a pace of one cup every four minutes in Metro Manila alone.

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  • Jollibee is expanding in the UK with more outlets

    Jollibee is expanding in the UK with more outlets

    Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee is set to open its second UK restaurant, in Liverpool.

    Bee World UK, part of the Jollibee Foods Corporation, has already submitted a plan to transform a Lush store on Whitechapel into its flagship restaurant in the northwest England city. The expansion comes after the successful opening of its first UK restaurant in London’s Earl’s Court last year. The opening is set to create 70 jobs, according to the planning application.

    Jollibee’s head of international business for Europe, Dennis Flores, said last year that the company plans to continue expansion by opening 25 restaurants and creating 1,500 jobs across the UK by 2023. He also said that they expect the brand to appeal not only to the Filipinos living and working in the UK but to the locals as well.

    Further expansion will see the fast-food chain launch in new cities including Manchester and Birmingham, said Flores.

    Jollibee, known for its Chicken Joy fried chicken and Jolly spaghetti, has a network of more than 1,300 restaurants in the Philippines, making it a dominant leader in the industry. Internationally, it has more than 200 branches spanning across countries including the US, Canada, Vietnam, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Italy, Bahrain, Singapore, and the UAE.

    Its parent company, Jollibee Foods Corporation, also owns brands including Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan and Smashburger. It also owns 60 percent of the SuperFoods Group which operates Highland Coffee and Pho24 brands in Vietnam. It recently entered into an agreement to operate Panda Express in the Philippines and to buy the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf business globally.

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  • Cebu Pacific to launch direct flights between Puerto Princesa and Hong Kong

    Cebu Pacific to launch direct flights between Puerto Princesa and Hong Kong

    Budget Carrier Cebu Pacific on Wednesday said it will launch in November direct flights between Puerto Princesa, Palawan and Hong Kong “to better connect the province to a wider market for tourists through a key international hub.”

    “Cebu Pacific will be the first airline to fly direct between Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and Hong Kong, one of the largest global aviation hubs. The maiden Puerto Princesa-Hong Kong flight will be on November 17, 2019,” the low-cost carrier said in a statement.

    Flights between Palawan and Hong Kong operate four times a week.

    “Flight 5J 5306 departs Puerto Princesa at 3:35pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; and at 4:05pm on Saturdays. The return flight, 5J 5307 departs Hong Kong at 7:30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; and at 8:00pm on Saturdays,” it said.

    Cebu Pacific will also be launching its Clark-Puerto Pincesa flight on the same day.

    “Together, these two new routes increase capacity to Puerto Princesa by 7%,” it said.

    Also on Wednesday, the budget carrier introduced its “CEB Flexi,” a flight add-on that allows travelers to rebook their flights “up to two times.”

    “Available starting October 22, 2019, CEB Flexi gives CEB passengers the freedom to rebook flights until two hours before departure,” it said.

    The low-cost carrier said CEB Flexi is 60% cheaper compared to current booking fees.

    “CEB Flexi is priced at P499 for domestic flights, P799 for international short-haul flights, and P1,099 for international long-haul flights. Along with the roll-out of CEB Flexi, all new flights booked starting October 22, 2019 will be non-refundable,” it said.

    This add-on can be purchased during booking through the airline’s website or its mobile app.

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  • Cebu Pacific gives travelers flexibility to rebook flights

    Cebu Pacific gives travelers flexibility to rebook flights

    Available starting October 22, 2019, CEB Flexi gives CEB passengers the freedom to rebook flights until (2) hours before departure, offering convenience and peace of mind. This add-on can be purchased during booking through the airline website, www.cebupacificair.com or the official mobile app.

    “CEB Flexi is a great complement to year-round low fares as it provides the power and option to rebook flights should the need arise. We encourage passengers to book in advance to avail of great low fare deals, now we also provide the ability to change travel dates, giving peace of mind that the flights they booked won’t go to waste,” said Candice Iyog, CEB Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience.

    Compared to current rebooking fees, CEB Flexi is 60% cheaper, and travelers only have to pay the difference in fare (if applicable). CEB Flexi is priced at PHP499 for domestic flights, PHP799 for international short-haul flights, and PHP1,099 for international long-haul flights. Along with the roll-out of CEB Flexi, all new flights booked starting October 22, 2019 will be non-refundable.

    CEB Flexi is the newest add-on that Cebu Pacific passengers can avail of, giving the power to choose conveniences that best fit their travel needs. Other options include prepaid baggage allowance, in-flight meals and buy-on-board snacks, seat selection, travel insurance, and the CEB WiFi kit.

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  • Crystal Jade restaurants opening in the Philippines

    Crystal Jade restaurants opening in the Philippines

    Philippines specialty store retailer SSI Group will play host to Chinese restaurant chain Crystal Jade in the territory.

    The firm has contracted with Crystal Jade Management to own and operate the brand in the Philippines as part of its expanding F&B portfolio.

    “The strategic partnership with SSI group is yet another proud moment for Crystal Jade,” said Crystal Jade Culinary Concepts Holdings CEO Douglas DeBoer. “We are excited to join in partnership with such a renowned specialty retailer which has successfully brought so many iconic international brands to the Philippines. Crystal Jade is dedicated to bringing authentic, quality Chinese cuisine to contemporary audiences around the world, and we look forward to delighting consumers across the Philippines very soon.”

    SSI president Anthony Huang said the opening of Crystal Jade in the Philippines is aligned with his company’s desire to provide consumers with complete lifestyle offerings through global partnerships “that cater to the eclectic and sophisticated taste of the Filipino consumer”.

    SSI will initially open a Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen outlet early next year at Central Square in Bonifacio Global City, before rolling out Crystal Jade’s other three international dining concepts – which include Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Crystal Jade Go.

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  • Lawson plans massive store rollout in Philippines

    Lawson plans massive store rollout in Philippines

    Lawson Philippines plans to grow its network from just 50 stores to about 500 within five years.

    The planned expansion leans on a new agreement between the firm and local partner Ayala Corp.

    Lawson had previously partnered with another local firm, Puregold Price Club, with an earlier rollout schedule. Plans were stymied when Puregold pulled out of the deal last year.

    Lawson may also collaborate with its new partner’s e-commerce business, including making its store network available as shop-and-drop outlets.

    According to reporting in Nikkei, Lawson oversees 2547 offshore locations as of August, up 30 percent from last year, with the majority being in China.

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  • Uniqlo ready to open 60th store in Philippines

    Uniqlo ready to open 60th store in Philippines

    Uniqlo Philippines will open its 60th store next week, at Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod.

    The Japanese fast-fashion brand has been undertaking a rapid rollout of stores in the country with the latest store – to open on October 18 – the ninth in the Visayas region and the second in Bacolod. Its global flagship store in Glorietta 5, Makati City is the biggest store in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.

    “We really see and feel the warm reception of the people from your community,” Uniqlo Philippines marketing head Camille Pacis told the Philippine News Agency. “That’s why we are expanding more. We recognize the growth and the potential of Bacolod.

    “(This) marks the growing commitment of Uniqlo to provide simple, innovative, and high-quality clothing to the Filipinos. In all our existing stores, the reception of our customers has been very good.”

    Uniqlo Philippines will partner with the Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) Foundation in a charitable outreach to donate clothing to two communities within the city.

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