19 MEMBERS ’ CORNER PHILIPPINE RETAILING
PLASTIC BANK PHILIPPINES LAUNCHES FIRST EXPERIENCE HUB IN NAGA CITY
Plastic Bank , a social enterprise that empowers collection communities , launched its first Plastic Bank Experience Hub that aims to educate Nagueños on the importance of stopping ocean plastic that can help create impact in their communities . The event was launched in Robinsons Place Naga , and was attended by the local government officials of Naga City , Plastic Bank , and its other partners .
Plastic Bank Philippines partnered with Naga City Government to support its waste management programs through the city-wide ecosystem which aims to encourage interested individuals from the marginal or low-income sector to collect ocean-bound plastic . During its pilot in 2020 , 1.5 tons of plastic was collected , the collection community only had 30 active members from 3 barangays . An aggregator junk shop with 2 collection point junk shops were also activated to participate . As of March 2022 , the partnership gathered a total of 82.76 tons of plastics that came from barangays and junk shops . The partnership expanded further with 309 active members , and the collection community expanded to 17 more barangays . Currently , the city-wide ecosystem works with 2 aggregator junk shops with 8 collection point junk shops .
“ The impact created in this partnership is not just for our environment , but it is also for our society and our economy . We are truly honored and humbled by this milestone which proves that together , we can stop ocean plastic and be ocean stewards in our own way ,” said Rene Guarin , Plastic Bank Country Manager for the Philippines .
The Plastic Bank Experience Hub , was made possible with help of the following organizations : United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ( UNESCAP ), UN Habitat , Naga City Government , Naga City People ’ s Council , and the Ateneo de Naga University , with special participation of Robinsons Place Naga , the partner venue .
The Plastic Bank Experience Hub ran from April 4 , 2022 and was extended until April 22 , 2022 .
METRO RETAIL STORES OPENS TWO STORES IN VISAYAS
MRSGI recently opened two Metro Supermarkets in the Visayas -- Metro Paseo in Banawa , Cebu and Metro Hilongos in Leyte – to attain a network of 63 branches in the region and in Luzon . These new shopping establishments exhibit the company ’ s thrust to develop multi-functional store formats that will cater to the needs of neighborhoods and other underserved markets , particularly in provincial areas .
Customers in their vicinity can enjoy best-in-class retail shopping experience through all the premium products being offered , from the freshest-of-the-fresh produce , meat , poultry and seafood , to household supplies and complete selection of international products .
They also feature one-stop services and facilities such as in-store bakery , food kiosks , automated teller machine ( ATM ) booths , customer restrooms , and ample parking spaces to make shopping more convenient .
“ We aim to penetrate deeper into the residential markets with the intention of bringing the MRSGI ’ s brand of service even closer to our customers ,” explained Manuel C . Alberto , the company ’ s President and Chief Operating Officer .
Alongside MRSGI ’ s physical expansion , the company continues to work on its omnichannel strategy to offer seamless experience for its digital as well as physical customers . It has enhanced its e-commerce platform shopmetro . ph with a dynamic search bar , shopping list function , and “ one-basket ” feature for a more convenient shopping experience .
As an alternative to the online shopping via website , the company recently introduced Metro Pabili , a feature which allows customers to call , text or send a Viber message to a personal shopping assistant in order to buy items from Metro Department Store or Supermarket and have these delivered to their homes .
Available in selected areas in Luzon and Visayas through the mobile number 0917-88-METRO , this service runs daily from 9AM to 6PM and guarantees delivery within three hours of placing the order .