At its core, it is still about people.
Despite coming from different sectors of the retail industry, all three leaders share a common belief: that behind every store, brand, and customer experience are relationships, collaboration, and human connection. In an industry increasingly driven by technology and speed, they believe the future of retail will still depend on understanding both the customers being served and the teams quietly building the experience behind the scenes.
The People Behind the Future of Retail
For Michael, who grew up observing both the visible elegance and operational discipline behind Rustan’ s, retail was more than the products or prestige. It was about creating meaningful experiences that customers remember long after they leave the store.
“ Products matter, brands matter, but what truly creates loyalty is how customers feel when they interact with your business,” he shares.
That belief continues to shape how he views premium and luxury retail today. As Filipino consumers become more globally exposed and experience-driven, Michael believes retail spaces must evolve beyond transactions and become destinations for discovery, inspiration, and connection.
“ Customers today can buy products almost anywhere,” he says.“ What makes physical retail special now is the experience: the atmosphere, the service, the discovery, and the emotional connection.”
Bryan Liu
For Bryan, whose early exposure to retail came through weekly visits to stores with family, the retail environment became both familiar and formative from a young age. Over time, those experiences developed into a deeper understanding of operations, branding, and consumer behavior, eventually leading him into social media and digital marketing before expanding into broader strategic and operational leadership roles at Golden ABC.
But while tools and platforms of retail continue to evolve, Bryan believes the challenge for today’ s leaders is preserving the identity and purpose behind the brands they help lead while remaining responsive to changing consumers.
“ To me, it’ s about understanding the past and embracing the present, to shape the future,” he says.
3