9 RETAIL NEWS CAPSULE
PHILIPPINE RETAILING
Philippine Retail Leaders Take the Global Stage at NRF 2026 APAC
By BM Miranda, PRA Secretary General
Philippine retailers joined industry leaders from across the region at NRF 2026: Retail’ s Big Show Asia Pacific held from June 2 to 4, 2026 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Recognized as the premier retail event in the Asia-Pacific region, the conference brought together retail executives, innovators, technology providers, and industry thought leaders to explore the trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the future of retail.
Carrying the theme“ The Next Now,” the event challenged retailers to move beyond merely anticipating future trends and instead focus on harnessing opportunities that are already emerging today. Through a comprehensive conference program, an expanded Innovators Showcase, and a larger exhibition floor featuring hundreds of solution providers, attendees gained valuable insights into the rapid transformation of retail driven by artificial intelligence, data analytics, customer experience innovations, supply chain advancements, and evolving consumer expectations.
This year ' s edition underscored the growing importance of Asia Pacific as one of the world ' s most dynamic retail markets. With thousands of delegates and exhibitors from across the region, NRF APAC served as a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and business networking among industry leaders seeking to navigate an increasingly complex and fast-changing marketplace.
Lessons from a Complex Market.” Drawing from her extensive leadership experience, she discussed how retailers can remain relevant and resilient amid changing consumer behaviors, economic uncertainties, and increasing market complexity. Joining her was Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls, who participated in an interview session titled“ Why Physical Retail is Winning Again: Reinventing Spaces in an AI Age.” During the discussion, he highlighted the continued relevance of brick-and-mortar retail and shared insights on how shopping centers are evolving into experiential destinations that combine technology, convenience, and community engagement to create meaningful customer experiences.
The conference was also attended by members of the Philippine Retailers Association delegation, including Board Directors and representatives from Alfamart, Blims Lifestyle Group, Rustan’ s, SM Retail, LCC Malls, SSL 888, HMOP and other leading retail organizations. Their participation provided opportunities to benchmark global best practices, discover emerging technologies, and establish valuable connections with retailers and solution providers from across the Asia-Pacific region.
For the Philippine delegation, NRF 2026 APAC was more than just a conference— it was an opportunity to gain fresh perspectives on the future of retail and bring home practical insights that can help strengthen the industry ' s competitiveness in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. As the pace of change continues to accelerate, platforms such as NRF APAC remain invaluable in helping retailers prepare not only for what comes next, but for what must be acted upon now.
Representing the Philippines on the international stage were two of the country ' s most respected retail leaders. Ms. Alice Liu, President of the Philippine Retailers Association( PRA) and President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden ABC, Inc., shared her expertise in a session entitled“ The New Rules of Retail:
Robinsons RetaiL delivers higher earnings, rewards shareholders
Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.( RRHI) is rewarding its shareholders with a cash dividend of P2.13 billion before its planned voluntary delisting from the Philippine Stock Exchange.
RRHI’ s board approved a P2 per share cash dividend from unrestricted retained earnings, payable to shareholders of record as of May 28, 2026.
The company will pay the dividend on June 10 using a payout ratio of 40 percent of RRHI’ s 2025 consolidated net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company, excluding one-off non-cash gains.
“ Today’ s announcement of the declaration of a cash dividend underscores our commitment to delivering tangible value to our shareholders, reflecting our continued focus on disciplined capital allocation,” RRHI chairman Robina Gokongwei-Pe said.
RRHI clarified these dividends are separate from the P48.30 per share tender offer price from JE Holdings Inc. connected to the voluntary delisting.
Shareholders of record as of May 28, 2026, who join the tender offer will receive both RRHI dividends and the tender offer price from JE Holdings, totaling P50.30 per share.
philstar. com, 05 / 01 / 26