TABLE OF CONTENTS PHILIPPINE RETAILING
Inewvation : A leader in transforming a digitally driven retail store
Retail News Capsule
SM Group at the forefront of climate adaptation and resilience
PRA News Updates
What is ChatGPT and why should brands and retailers take note ?
The Future of Retail : The Age of Convergence , Part 1
What Retailers Must Do to Keep Up with the " Big-Box Boom "
Letter from the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
How fast time flies . We are nearly at the end of Q1 and a lot has happened these last 2 months .
For one thing , President Ferdinand Marcos Jr . has approved the granting of tax exemption to tourists . We in the PRA have long advocated for this move because this will help boost shopping by tourists and bring us at par with other major tourist destinations around the world . We understand that the Department of Finance and the BIR have started looking into the requisites of implementing this kind of program . Should we do this on our own or outsource the implementation ? Either way , the PRA believes that the benefits gained will ultimately outweigh the losses . We shall monitor its progress moving forward and hope for its implementation will be a reality sooner than later .
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I was invited to speak in a panel at the MICECon 2023 ( Meetings , Incentive travel , Conferences and Exhibitions ) Conference in Davao City . The MICECon is the biggest gathering of meetings and events professionals in the country . I was invited to speak on my experiences and best practices as an organizer during and post pandemic . It was an interesting session as attendees heard from Art Boncato , COO of World Trade Center , Anton Magpantay , president of ArtisteSpace , and Roel Privado of Sharp Travel as we discussed how meetings and events evolved in response to the new normal . Congratulations to the Department of Tourism led by the indefatigable Secretary Cristina Garcia Frasco and Tourism Promotions Board led by COO Marga Nograles !
In this Q1 2023 issue , PRA is delighted to share the story of Inewvation ’ s President & CEO , and how they took the lead in transforming a digitally driven retail store . It ’ s an inspiring story that ’ s sure to motivate other Filipino businesses to follow their lead . There are also feature articles about SM Group ’ s efforts towards sustainability , climate adaptation and resilience , What is ChatGPT and why should brands and retailers take note , and many more .
Evelyn Balmeo-Salire Editor-In-Chief
PRA in Action
Member ’ s Corner
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 : ebbs @ philretailers . com or communications @ philretailers . com
The views and opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author ( s ) and do not reflect the opinions of the PRA or its Editors .
Mayan Sangil Managing Editor
BM Miranda Circulation Manager
Evelyn Balmeo-Salire Editor-in-Chief
Paul Payongayong Graphic Designer
Contributors Terence Ng | George Pepes | Gino Dizon Marc-André Kamel | Yukiko Tsukamoto