Philippine Retailing Newsletters 2018 PRA eNewsletter 2018 Q4 | Page 2

Cover Story PHILIPPINE RETAILING The PRA has conducted a week- long Retail Study Mission in Hanoi, Vietnam last November 6-10. The delegation—led by PRA President Rosemarie B. Ong and Vice Chairman Mr. Roberto Claudio—was welcomed by the Association of Vietnam Retailers. They have visited some of the retail stores in Hanoi including Aeon Mall Long Bien, Vietnamese Appliance brand—Kangaroo, Vietshoes-Phong Chau Group, and Big C Thang Long, where they met retailers and learned about product flow and procedures in the country. PRA heads to Vietnam for retail study mission PAGE 1... PH Retail companies join... (TRRAIN), and widely spread to different parts of the world with 700 brands and six million employees participating. It has been celebrated in different parts of the globe, with largest participation in India, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. The celebration seeks to encourage employers as well as customers to recognize the efforts of retail employees across the country. The day also aims to create awareness among retail employees the significant role they play in the lives of the customers and in the business they serve. The study missions aims to provide Filipino retailers firsthand information on Vietnam’s retail landscape and to acquire credible information and data and expand their knowledge of the Vietnam market. Companies who joined the celebration thanked their employees in various ways such as by organizing a special event graced by the company heads who expressed thanks to their front liners, giving away memorabilia like t-shirts and pins as well as certificate of appreciation; providing free treats and tokens; and live band performances, which surprised unexpected employees. The PRA encourages retail companies to make this a yearly tradition as a way of thanking their employees and fostering a harmonious relationship between them and their personnel. awards... This is the third year that the PRA has bagged major awards at the ANG SUSI Awards. Previously, PRA Secretary General Evelyn Balmeo-Salire won the first Association Executive of the Year award, PRA Vice chairmen Alegria “Bing” Limjoco and Lorenzo Formoso were named Board Member of the Year in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The Regional Roadshows won the Industry Development Award in 2016, while the 2 Vice Chairman Formoso has previously served as President and Chairman of the PRA, and as Chairman of FAPRA from 2015-2017. As FAPRA Chairman, he presided over the federation’s policies and programs aimed at helping promote the growth and development of retailing in the region. He has 32 years of experience in travel retail, where he spearheaded the PRA in its major programs especially the staging and hosting of the 17th Asia Pacific Retailers Convention & Exhibition (APRCE) that was held in Manila last October 2015. “I hope to be able to contribute to the objectives of the WRC as the Asia Pacific becomes an active contributor in its conferences, this with the end in view of addressing the dynamic changes in the retail landscape worldwide.” Formoso said. by providing well- curated talks and presentations on the latest trends and insights in the industry. In this way, the NRCE does not only serve retail businesses, but other businesses outside retail as well. Philippine Retailers Association and Federation of Asia Pacific Retailers (FAPRA) Vice Chairman Lorenzo C. Formoso was recently appointed as World Retail Congress (WRC) Ambassador for Asia Pacific. As WRC Ambassador, Vice Chairman Formoso is tasked to promote the WRC in Asia Pacific and attract more participation from Asian retailers in WRC’s international retail network. FROM PAGE 1... PRA bags top The NRCE is also a venue for networking and collaborations among retailers themselves and with retail suppliers through the exhibit that happens simultaneously with the conference. PRA Vice Chairman Formoso appointed WRC Ambassador for Asia Pacific Formoso will be one of the speakers and will judge one of the major awards in the coming 2019 WRC in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The World Retail Congress is a retail conference organization based in London that brings together the leaders of today’s global retail industry. Manila Bulletin, 10/31/2018 NRCE Chatbot won the Technology Innovation Award in 2017. During the summit, Chairman Santos also served as a panelist and shared inspiring stories and case studies along with other panelists from various trade organizations and associations in the country. ANG SUSI Awards or “Associations nurture National Growth through Social Unity and Sustainability Innovations” is the first and only search for the best associations and association executives in the Philippines which recognizes the association sector’s contributions to national sustainable development. Scan me to learn more about the PRA and latest news and updates in retail! Use your phone’s QR code reader or Viber App, and make sure you have internet connection