7 RETAIL NEWS CAPSULE
PHILIPPINE RETAILING
Committed to store expansion , Metro Retail Stores unveils Metro Ayala Cebu , new Danao City branch
Homegrown Cebu retailer Metro Retail Stores Group Inc . ( MRSGI ) demonstrates its commitment to expanding its footprint in the province with the reopening of its Metro Ayala Cebu branch and the opening of a new Metro Danao store .
Metro Ayala is the company ’ s flagship store , which MRSGI had worked tirelessly to rebuild since 2018 when it closed down for extensive renovations . On January 29 , 2021 , the store finally welcomed shoppers with its wide array of lifestyle offerings , marking a return of the great retail experience in Cebu City .
Boasting an eco-friendly design , the store sports a clean and modern aesthetic , with expansive use of glass that brings in more natural light and provides customers a beautiful view of the landscape while they shop . The building has seven levels , each curated with an impressive selection of premium merchandise that caters to the most discerning taste and lifestyles , from the Furniture Department at the basement level to the Metro Ayala Supermarket , the Houseware and Fabric Departments , and the topmost floor where shoppers are treated to an al fresco dining experience .
The soft opening of Metro Danao , meanwhile , followed soon after on February 7 , with a grand opening celebration on April 24 . The
compact , two-level landmark is located at Sands Gateway Mall along Central Nautical Highway in Brgy . Suba , Danao City . In line with MRSGI ’ s distinct proposition , Metro Danao offers a shopping experience like no other . City residents and those from adjacent towns , such as Compostela and Carmen , can enjoy access to a wide selection of premium products , great deals , and exciting offers , at prices generally lower than other retailers .
MRSGI President and Chief Operating Officer Manuel Alberto said that the company remains keenly eyed towards further expansion , with new stores set to be unveiled this year around the country . “ Our markets are still drawn to our basic value proposition , which is to introduce a world-class shopping experience and bring national brands into the product assortment ,” he explained .
Source : Metro Retail
7
Google to open its first retail store to sell devices
Almost exactly 20 years to the day after Apple opened its first retail store , Google is finally following suit .
The company announced Thursday that it is opening its first physical retail store , called Google Store , this summer in New York City . The store will be located under its offices in the Chelsea neighborhood , where it employs many of its more than 11,000 employees in the city . Some of the items for sale will include Pixel phones , Nest products , Fitbit devices and Pixelbooks .
Similar to Apple ' s Genius Bar concept , Google will employ " experts " to help customers troubleshoot issues , fix a cracked Pixel screen or help with installations . In a blog post , the company called it " an important next step in our hardware journey ."
" Many customers still want to experience hardware before they buy it — and learn what it feels like , sounds like and looks like in their hand or on a desk ," it added .
Google has previously said its hardware sales are a " multi-billion dollar business ," but the company still does not break out sales data for its hardware products .
Photo from : www . inquirer . net
Over the years , the
Photo from : www . theverge . com company has opened temporary Google hardware shops in cities including New York , Chicago and London , allowing people to see how products work , attend workshops and make purchases . Some of Google ' s previous pop-up locations have infused fun , interactive touches , such as a doodle wall and a Pac-Man game displayed on a big screen .
Google has otherwise relied on its website and other retailers , such as Best Buy and Amazon , to sell its products . While Apple has seen success opening retail stores around the world , others have struggled . Microsoft expanded its retail efforts over the years by creating destination stores where people could try services , software and hardware , but last summer the company announced it was shutting down all of its 83 Microsoft Store locations to focus more on selling its products online . Google ' s new permanent New York City location will be just a few blocks away from an Apple Store .
Source : CNN Philippines