9 RETAIL NEWS CAPSULE PHILIPPINE RETAILING
SSI Group’ s Huang named to BoF 500 list
SSI Group Inc. and Rustan Commercial Corp. president and CEO Anthony Tantoco Huang has been named among The Business of Fashion( BoF) 500 Class of 2025, becoming the first Filipino to be included in its executive category.
Huang joins a distinguished group of creatives, executives, designers and innovators as part of The BoF 500 Class of 2025.
The BoF 500 is regarded as the definitive index of the people shaping the global fashion industry.
Underscoring the industry’ s increasingly diverse and global character, this year’ s honorees come from 30 countries, representing 40 nationalities.
“ This recognition by The Business of Fashion is a profound honor that I share with the entire SSI Group and Rustan Commercial Corp. teams,” Huang said.
“ It underscores the passion and commitment of the Filipino retail community and validates the strategy we have pursued in bringing the world’ s best retail concepts to the Philippines, while championing our heritage and vision for the future of Filipino consumption. We are proud to represent the Philippines on this global stage,” he said.
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Under Huang’ s leadership, SSI Group – the Philippines’ largest specialty retailer – has built one of Asia’ s most dynamic lifestyle retail portfolios. Huang’ s inclusion in The BoF 500 reflects the continued growth of the SSI Group, further enhancing the family’ s legacy retail businesses under his leadership.
Metro Retail ventures into boutique format
Metro Retail Stores Group Inc., the listed retail company of the Gaisano Group, is entering a new retail category through the introduction a premium lifestyle store format.
Called Metro Corner, the new store format launched by Metro Retail at Mandani Bay in Cebu“ combines the accessibility of a neighborhood store with the sophistication of a boutique shopping experience.”
“ Metro Corner represents the next chapter of Metro Retail’ s innovation in serving our customers,” Metro Retail president and COO Joel Orense said.
“ It’ s a new store format that reflects how shopping is changing in urban communities, compact and closer, designed around convenience without losing the warmth and quality Metro is known for,” Orense said.
According to Metro Retail, Metro Corner offers a balance between everyday necessities and refined lifestyle finds through a curated selection of essentials, artisan goods, organic products and international specialties.
Unlike traditional supermarket formats, the company said Metro Corner is designed“ to feel intimate and inviting, featuring modern interiors, organized layouts and easy navigation that promote quick yet enjoyable shopping.”
The store aims to offer a seamless experience for customers on the go with fresh selections, personalized service and faster checkout options.
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“ We’ re proud to be part of Mandani Bay’ s growing community. This opening reflects our broader goal of building meaningful connections with our customers, meeting them where they are and enhancing the everyday experience of city living,” Orense said.
Mandani Bay is a rapidly developing mixed-use community in Mandaue City.
Metro Retail said its growing population of residents, professionals and visitors aligns with the store’ s mission to bring convenience and curated quality right around the corner.