TABLE OF CONTENTS
PHILIPPINE RETAILING
Letter from the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
If the huge success of our 29th National Retail Conference and Expo ( NRCE ) is an indicator , then retailers must back on track . The huge turnout both for the conference and the Expo showed that Philippine retailers are actively and aggressively on the lookout for more information and inspiration that will guide them in navigating and thriving in this post-pandemic era . For PRA , we are heartened that we were able to deliver the right topics , speakers , and solution providers to help our retailers do just that . Thank you to all our speakers , delegates , and sponsors for making the 29th NRCE our biggest yet and another event to benchmark on in the retail industry !
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The Philippine retail industry also welcomed this year our new president — Mr . Roberto “ Bobby ” Claudio , Chairman Emeritus of Quorum Holdings Corp . ( Toby ’ s Sports ). Mr . Claudio has served in the PRA Board for many years and had himself served as president of PRA previously for 2 terms . He brings to the table his wealth of experience in PRA ’ s advocacy efforts --- from the time we fought against the liberalization of retail trade from 1995-2000 up to the recent amendment to the retail trade law in 2021 . His voice was loud and clear as he represented the interest of Philippine retailers on the issues of taxing online transactions , intellectual property rights , and more recently the bill on VAT exemption for foreign tourists . We can rest assured that the pulse and voice of Philippine retail will be strongly represented during his term .
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One of the most exciting sessions last NRCE was the session with the top mall operators in the Philippines --- Ayala Malls , Megaworld Lifestyle Malls , Robinsons Malls , and SM Supermalls . It was the casting coup of the year ( if not the decade ) to be able to bring the 4 top leaders in one session moderated by no less than TV anchor Ms . Cathy Yang . The stories and insights shared by our mall developers as they helped their partners and merchants through the pandemic years showed that both in good times and bad times , the partnership between malls and their tenants should remain strong and resilient .
Evelyn Balmeo-Salire Editor-In-Chief
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
Contributors Matthew Roman Michael Egan Shyam Unnikrishnan Gigi Lariosa
Paul Payongayong Graphic Designer