Philippine Retailing 2019 Philippine Retailing 2019 Q4_Digital | Page 3

1 2 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 TABLE OF CONTENTS The Face of Digital Transformation in 2020 and Beyond PRA News Updates Retail News Capsule In Memoriam: Inspiration from a Champion The Art and Science behind every “Add to Cart” Column: My “Use by Date” has Expired Special Column: Ph is Part of Asia Pacific's Regional Retail Federation Advisory Council Marketing or Technology: Who owns Innovation in Retail? Three Reasons Why Retailers in Asia are Upgrading Their Ecommerce Platforms The Amor for Brand Marketing RED Spotlight Retailing: What’s Abuzz in Southeast Asia? Retail Spotlight: Journey to Going Global The Asian Century of Retail Transformation Retail Spotlight: Driving Retail Innovation in the Philippine Setting Member’s Corner PRA in Motion Column: How Technology is Shaping the Innovation in Retail PHILIPPINE RETAILING Letter from the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” – Lao Tzu At the beginning of the year, we were shaken by the sad news of the demise of one of the pillars of Philippine retailing; and just before 2019 ended, another pillar left us.  "Tatang" Henry Sy, Sr. and John Gokongwei, Jr. may not be among us anymore, but the legacies, inspiration and wisdom they left  with us are always here to stay. "Tatang, Mr. John, you can rest in peace knowing that your legacies are in good hands...” As the first generation of the retail pillars of the country pass on, the industry is greeted with new leaders. While their scions have been leading their respective businesses ever since they were younger, it would still be different without the founders at the helm of their empires. Yet we are at peace knowing that the retail industry is still in the good hands of the next, the new generation of retailers. There are a lot of disruptions, not only in retail, but in the way we live as well.  As we move forward to 2020, we expect to see more advancements and disruptions in the way retailers do business--  with the aid of technology. But we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that it is still the people who are at the heart of the operation.  Fittingly, last December 12, the Philippine retail industry  celebrated the Retail Employees’ Day (RED). RED is a global celebration to recognize our retail employees, specially the frontliners who, in spite of technology, will be still be drivers of growth in the industry. We hope you had been part of that celebration. Here's to a blessed 2020! Evelyn Balmeo-Salire PHILIPPINE RETAILING EDITORIAL TEAM The Philippine Retailing is the official quarterly publication of the Philippine Retailers Association with office at 2607/2610 Jollibee Plaza F. Ortigas Jr. Road (formerly Emerald Ave.) Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines Telephone Nos.: (632) 8687-4985, 8687-4180, 8687-4181 Fax No.: (632) 8636-0825. For questions, comments, suggestions, contributions or ad placements email us at: [email protected] or [email protected] Evelyn Balmeo-Salire Editor-in-Chief Catherine Nanta Managing Editor Paul Payongayong Graphic Designer BM Miranda Circulation Manager Darrel Wisbey | Frances Barsana Contributors 3