Author: admin

Inside OH!SOME’s Store Experience

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Another “budol” store has arrived in the Philippines! OH!SOME, a one-stop trendy retail brand originating from Singapore, has just opened its first store at One Ayala, Makati.

OH!SOME positions itself between MINISO’s accessibility and KKV’s visual merchandising strength. Price points are closely aligned with MINISO, while the store layout and visual language strongly resemble KKV—bright lighting, bold colors, and an open, highly aesthetic presentation that naturally pulls people in.

One notable observation is its broad demographic appeal. Even older shoppers (“oldies”) are seen leisurely browsing the store, often getting “budol-ed” into purchasing. This is driven by the depth and variety of the assortment, where customers are presented with multiple options across categories, encouraging impulse buying. The store’s circulation design has no clear endpoint, making the shopping experience feel exploratory and engaging rather than linear. Combined with clean, visually pleasing displays, the space becomes enjoyable to walk through—almost recreational—which increases dwell time and basket size.

From an assortment perspective, OH SOME follows a curated yet trend-forward strategy. SKUs are selective but highly relevant, featuring reputable local Philippine skincare brands, trendy accessories such as press-on nails, food items, and licensed merchandise like Disney and Pingfong. This mix balances trust, novelty, and emotional pull.

Operationally, the brand appears to be in a continuous SKU refresh and display optimization phase, keeping the store current and aligned with fast-moving consumer trends.

Key takeaway:

OH!SOME wins by blending KKV-level visual storytelling, MINISO-like pricing, and localized, trend-led assortment curation, creating a highly engaging retail environment that attracts a wide age range and effectively converts foot traffic into impulse purchases.

 

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Amazon Launches Bazaar App to Redefine Philippine Online Shopping

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Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, has launched the Amazon Bazaar app in the Philippines, offering a new shopping experience with hundreds of thousands of affordable products across fashion, home and lifestyle categories.

The new standalone app expands Amazon’s value-focused “haul” shopping experience to 14 countries.

Most items on Amazon Bazaar are priced under P600, with some starting at P120. New users receive 50 percent off their first order, and free delivery applies to purchases worth P280 or more.

Standard delivery takes two weeks or less, supported by Amazon’s 24/7 multilingual customer service.

The app brings the same ultra-low-price experience as Amazon Haul, tailored to local languages and cultures. Customers can sign in with existing Amazon credentials or create new accounts, enjoying Amazon’s trademark reliability, selection and convenience.

The launch in the Philippines is part of an expansion that includes Hong Kong, Taiwan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Nigeria.

Shoppers will find familiar Amazon features, including product reviews and star ratings. All listings undergo strict compliance checks to ensure safety and quality. Customers can return items for free within 15 days of receipt. The app also features interactive entertainment such as social lucky draws and exclusive promotions.

Amazon Bazaar supports six languages including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German and Traditional Chinese, and allows transactions in Philippine Peso using Visa, Mastercard or American Express. The app is now available for download on iOS and Android stores in the Philippines.

Original article: https://manilastandard.net/business/economy-trade/314667865/amazon-launches-bazaar-app-to-redefine-philippine-online-shopping.html

 

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Fully Booked Power Plant Reopens with Kinokuniya and Wasachi Café

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Book lovers, your next favorite destination is here — the newly reopened Fully Booked at Power Plant Mall!

Now beautifully reimagined as a collaborative store with Japan’s iconic bookseller Kinokuniya, the Fully Booked x Kinokuniya Power Plant Mall branch brings together the best of two literary worlds.

Fully Booked’s beloved collection of international titles now sits alongside Kinokuniya’s signature range of Japanese manga, literature, art books, and language learning materials—offering an experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

Fully Booked Power Plant redefines what a modern literary space can be. It’s now a premium lifestyle destination, where culture, design, and experience come together to attract readers, families, professionals, and Gen Z shoppers alike.

Its merchandise mix stands out for its exclusive and carefully curated offerings. While priced slightly higher than traditional bookstores, the selection—ranging from limited-edition books and collectible toys to designer stationery and lifestyle accessories—reflects a refined and aspirational brand identity.

Adding to the charm is Wasachi Café, which fills the store with calm green hues and the earthy aroma of whisked tea. Professionals and young creatives drop by to work or unwind, while families and friends find it a cozy space to reconnect. Its premium ambiance fits perfectly within Power Plant Mall—a high-end retail destination loved by those who appreciate quality, calm, and inspiration.

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Bringing value across different brands

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Metro Retail Ventures into Boutique Format

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MANILA, Philippines — 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.

“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.


Original article: https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/10/29/2483193/metro-retail-ventures-boutique-format

 

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IKEA Opens a New Plan & Order Shop in Trinoma, Quezon City

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Great news for North Metro Manila residents! IKEA Philippines has officially opened its newest Plan & Order shop at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City. This 500-square-meter space brings the brand’s world-famous Scandinavian design, functionality, and affordability closer to Filipino homes.

The new IKEA Trinoma store is designed for both convenience and inspiration. Shoppers can explore a curated selection of home essentials—including pots, pans, dinnerware, glassware, and home organizers—perfect for every corner of your home.

 

Highlight: The Planning Studio

One of the key features of IKEA Trinoma is the Planning Studio, where customers can get personalized help from IKEA’s design experts to plan and visualize their dream kitchen, wardrobe, or living room. The team will guide you step-by-step in customizing your ideal layout and choosing the right furniture.

The best part? Design consultations are free! You can even explore your ideas on your own through IKEA’s self-planning tools. Simply visit their website, go to the Planning and Services section, and start designing your space at your own pace.

 

Self-Checkout and Friendly Assistance

To make shopping even more convenient, IKEA Trinoma features self-checkout counters, giving customers a faster and more seamless shopping experience. And as always, IKEA’s friendly staff are ready to assist you every step of the way to make your visit pleasant and hassle-free.

Whether you’re redecorating your living space or building your dream kitchen from scratch, IKEA Trinoma’s Plan & Order shop is the perfect place to start. It combines creativity, expert guidance, and affordability—all under one roof.

Visit IKEA Trinoma today and see how easy it is to bring your dream home to life!

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IKEA Opening New Store in the Philippines in Partnership with Ayala Group

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MANILA, Philippines — Swedish home furnishing giant IKEA is opening its second official branch in the Philippines in partnership with the Ayala Group.

IKEA will open its first Plan and Order Shop in the Philippines at TriNoma Mall on Oct. 23, bringing its affordable and sustainable design closer to northern Metro Manila residents.

“We are now getting closer to the many more Filipinos, especially in the north of Manila. This partnership between IKEA and Ayala Malls allow us to create spaces that are accessible, convenient and inspiring,” IKEA Philippines country retail manager Ricardo Pinheiro said.

“IKEA Plan and Order Shop is one of the most recent formats we have. It’s actually a shop where customers can order the full IKEA range. It is also a shop where customers can plan their home solutions. It’s also a shop where customers can actually collect their online orders” he said.

Pinheiro said the Plan and Order Shop format is currently available in other IKEA sites globally like London, Paris, Stockholm, Spain and Portugal.

“We are opening more and more, but they are not very old. So it’s quite a recent format that we are still testing,” he said.

The first IKEA Plan and Order Shop in the Philippines will be a 500-square meter store located at the ground level of TriNoma Mall.

Pinheiro said that total investment for the store ranges from P30 million to P35 million.

The shop features small scale store with room vignettes and products that shoppers can purchase in-store and also functions as a free collection point for online orders.

It is also a space for customers to plan their dream kitchens, wardrobe and storage cabinet with the same expert guidance as offered from IKEA’s store in Pasay City.

The IKEA Plan and Order Shop aims to make affordable home furnishing even more accessible to shoppers from every corner of Metro Manila.

“For now, we are very committed to make this one a success. Based on the success of this one, we will decide if we will open more in different locations or not,” Pinheiro said.

Ayala Malls chief operating officer Paul Birkett said the opening of the IKEA Plan and Order Shop matches the ongoing refresh being undertaken at TriNoma.

“It’s really critically important that this first ever Plan and Order point in the Philippines, it’s the new retail format that brings the IKEA brand closer to consumers. It combines the convenience, the access, the innovation, but more importantly, the exceptional products. We give people another reason to visit TriNoma,” Birkettt said.

Pinheiro said the plan for IKEA Philippines for expansion moving forward is to explore both large store as well as the small scale Plan and Order Shop formats.

“For IKEA, it’s not one or the other. It’s one and the other. So we are looking to both formats as a way to get closer to the many Filipinos. Our country is so big and its so scattered around so many different islands and cities that we believe we need to explore both options of bigger store like Pasay and smaller Plan and Order shops like in Quezon City,” he said.

Asked about plans to open an IKEA store in SM Megamall, Pinheiro said: “It’s not part of our plans in the near future.”

IKEA opened its first store in the country in 2021 at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay, which is currently the biggest IKEA store in the world.


Original Article: https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/10/15/2479893/ikea-opening-new-store-philippines-partnership-ayala-group

 

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From Dubai to Manila: Spinneys to launch Philippines stores in 2026

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After its Riyadh debut last year, the UAE grocer is teaming with Ayala Corporation to open its first stores in the Philippines, marking its maiden step into Southeast Asia.

Spinneys, which first opened its doors in Dubai’s Al Nasr Square in 1961, is now set to expand into Southeast Asia.

The UAE-based premium grocer has signed a joint venture with conglomerate Ayala Corporation to launch a series of supermarkets in the Philippines, marking a new chapter in its international growth story.

Under the agreement, Ayala will hold a 60 per cent stake and Spinneys a 40 per cent. The first store is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026, with a pipeline of further outlets to follow. The joint venture will adopt a two-phased approach: Spinneys will initially support the venture with operational expertise before handing over day-to-day management to the new entity.

The move builds on Spinneys’ regional momentum. In June 2024, it opened its first Riyadh store in the upscale An Nuzha district, with plans to launch as many as 12 outlets across Saudi Arabia by 2028.

This year, the retailer also announced plans to expand into Kuwait alongside opening ten new stores in the UAE.

Sunil Kumar, CEO of Spinneys, said the Philippines offered the right fundamentals for the brand’s first step outside the GCC.

“The Philippines offers significant long-term growth potential, with strong economic fundamentals, a growing affluent population, and increasing demand for high-quality offerings,” he said.

“Our partnership with Ayala combines its deep local knowledge with our operational expertise, providing a strong foundation to grow in a measured way. As we enter this next phase, we’re delighted to be bringing our high-quality and fresh offering to a new region.”

Ayala, one of the Philippines’ oldest and largest conglomerates, has a diverse presence across real estate, banking, telecommunications, energy, and logistics. The group has been expanding its retail footprint by partnering with global brands.

“We are honoured to be the first partner of Spinneys as it ventures outside the GCC,” said Cezar P. Consing, president and CEO of Ayala Corporation.

“We hope this investment will catalyse trade and investment between the Philippines and the GCC.”

The tie-up aims to blend Ayala’s access to prime sites in mixed-use developments with Spinneys’ expertise in premium fresh food retailing. The Philippine market, with its expanding middle and upper-income classes, is seeing rising demand for modern, high-quality retail experiences, making it a strategic entry point for the brand.

Spinneys currently operates over 80 outlets across the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia (including Waitrose stores), and has become synonymous with quality produce. Its 2024 IPO on the Dubai Financial Market raised Dhs1.4bn, fuelling an expansion drive that now stretches beyond the Gulf.


Original Article: From Dubai to Manila: Spinneys to launch Philippines stores in 2026

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Bringing value across different brands

At RetailWise, we are bringing value across different brands. We aim to ensure your satisfaction by guaranteeing the success of your business from strategy to execution. Explore our strategies, resources, and expertise and find the perfect fit for your needs click here

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Makro Reentering Philippine Market, Backed by Ayala

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MANILA, Philippines — Grocery chain Makro is making a Philippine comeback with the help of the Ayala conglomerate, which has recently regained appetite for the retailing business.

ACX Holdings Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala Corp., signed on Sept. 24 a partnership deal with Thai company, Makro ROH Company Limited (MROH) for the operation of Makro stores in the Philippines.

ACX and MROH will own equity interest of 49.9 percent and 50.1 percent, respectively, in an investee entity that will operate the business venture.

MROH is a a subsidiary of CP Axtra Public Company Limited, a wholesale and retail business operator and mall management firm in Thailand and overseas markets. It is part of the Charoen Pokphand Group.

Makro, part of a Dutch warehouse club, debuted in the Philippines in 1996 during the term of President Fidel V. Ramos. The SM and Ayala groups then jointly invested in the brand.

16-year hiatus

Ayala later on sold its stake to the SM Group. Starting 2009, however, the SM Group decided to phase out the brand in favor of its own SM Hypermarket or SM Savemore.

But under a new generation of leaders, Ayala is noticeably getting back more aggressively into the retailing game, seeing an opportunity in the country’s demographic profile.

It recently brought Australian brand Anko to the Philippines.

Through incubation arm Kickstart, the group likewise invested in fast-growing PickUp Coffee chain.

Ayala Corp. managing director Mariana Zobel de Ayala earlier explained to Biz Buzz why the conglomerate was more confident in reentering the lucrative but highly-competitive retailing space.

“I think this time we have a dedicated team that’s really focused. We’ve also brought in experts who have done retail both locally and abroad,” Zobel said. “And we think there’s so much more to serve the Philippine market with. We feel the Filipino is quite underserved when it comes to retail and that’s kind of what drives us.

The renewed appetite for retailing complements the Ayala group’s business as a property developer. Grocery operation – one of the few businesses that thrived even during the harsh COVID-19 lockdowns – can anchor shopping centers and integrated developments.

 

Original Article: https://business.inquirer.net/548873/makro-reentering-philippine-market-backed-by-ayala

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At RetailWise, we are bringing value across different brands. We aim to ensure your satisfaction by guaranteeing the success of your business from strategy to execution. Explore our strategies, resources, and expertise and find the perfect fit for your needs click here

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Pickup Coffee Opens Its Largest Premium Café Concept

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Pickup Coffee, the beloved Filipino brand, has opened PICKUP PRIME, its biggest branch and first premium café concept in Metro Manila, located at Ayala Malls Vertis North.

Building on its “FEEL THE PICKUP” campaign—which celebrates life’s uplifting moments, big or small—the brand continues to deliver high-quality, affordable coffee infused with positive, feel-good energy.

PICKUP PRIME offers a vibrant, youthful atmosphere where customers can use self-order kiosks, enjoy an exclusive specialty drink menu, and have fun with an interactive mirror photobooth.

In step with the growing trend of immersive customer experiences, the Vertis North café introduces inventive offerings such as the Americano Orange Sunrise, Sea Salt Biscoff Latte, Tiramisu Latte, and Golden Buttercream Latte, along with indulgent espresso soft-serve treats like the Kape Kastila Swirl and Americano Affogato Swirl.

To complete the experience, Pickup Coffee has partnered with celebrated home baker Ricardo Guninto of 5G Coffee House to serve handcrafted pastries including the Classic Croissant, Dulce Ensaymada Croissant Roll, Ham and Cheese Croissant, and a tempting selection of cookies.

From a humble startup to a well-established Philippine brand, Pickup Coffee has blended affordability, digital innovation, and experiential retail to become a cultural mainstay in cafés nationwide and beyond.

Haven’t visited yet? Now’s the perfect time to drop by and experience PICKUP PRIME for yourself!

 

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Bringing value across different brands

At RetailWise, we are bringing value across different brands. We aim to ensure your satisfaction by guaranteeing the success of your business from strategy to execution. Explore our strategies, resources, and expertise and find the perfect fit for your needs click here

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Hard Discount Stores Dali, O!Save Disrupt Retail Market With Soaring Sales

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Hard discount stores Dali and Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.’s affiliate, O!Save, are giving stiff competition to traditional supermarket and convenience store chains by registering strong sales growth while expanding their reach in the retail market.

Based on research by Abacus Securities Corp., sales of Dali jumped 57 percent to ₱34.1 billion in 2024 from ₱21.8 billion in 2023, while O!Save’s annual sales surged 134.6 percent to ₱13.6 billion last year from ₱5.8 billion in 2023.

“Clearly, these two are at least partly responsible for the lackluster earnings growth of its much larger competitors in the past few years,” added Abacus.

The brokerage noted the “significant inroads hard discounters have made in the local market with Dali leapfrogging MRSGI (Metro Retail Stores Group Inc.) in terms of revenues last year.”

MRSGI posted a 4.9 percent sales growth to ₱28.6 billion last year, lower than Dali’s ₱34.1 billion, when it was higher at ₱27.2 billion compared to Dali’s ₱21.8 billion in 2023.

Other major grocery retail chains also posted single digit sales growth last year with SM Food (including Alfamart) rising eight percent to ₱252.9 million from ₱234.2 million, Puregold Price Club (excluding S&R Membership Shopping) up by 8.3 percent to ₱144.9 billion from ₱133.8 billion, and RRHI Supermarkets with a 4.7 percent hike to ₱120.3 billion from ₱114.9 billion.

Only Philippine Seven Corporation, the local franchisee of 7-Eleven convenience stores, posted double-digit revenue growth of 13.8 percent to ₱90.11 billion last year, up from ₱79.19 billion in 2023.

However, Dali has yet a long fight ahead of it, and doubts have been raised on its continued viability since it has yet to break even, much less turn a profit.

Despite growing revenues by 52 percent to $595 million, Dali’s net loss last year increased five percent to $33 million, liabilities jumped 111 percent to $355 million, and equity shrank 73 percent to under $13 million.

“Management expressed confidence margins will turn around, but if Dali eventually does fold, it will be a significant positive for retailers PGOLD, RRHI, SM Retail, and MRSGI… So keep your ears on the ground for any news on Dali’s fate over the next six to 12 months,” said Abacus.

PhilSeven Operations Director Francis S. Medina said last August that the company is getting stiff competition from hard discount stores, which are “opening left and right.

“Yes, they are a threat. On the perspective of site acquisition, they practically open on the same areas where we want to open” so they compete one site bidding, said Medina noting that, “At the same time, they focus mainly on residential clusters, which we are also going into.”

However, he said they have an advantage over hard discount stores since not all of them operate 24 hours “so it’s a big plus for 7-Eleven since most of them open at 6 am and close at 10 pm, while we are open 24 (hours).

“Second big advantage is we serve fast food, which most of them don’t have. Third is we have dining spaces, so this gives customers more options. They can sit down while shopping.”

Amid this challenging environment, medina said “our objective is to acquire most of the best sites as soon as possible to prevent or make it difficult for any competition.”

Original article: https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/01/hard-discount-stores-dali-osave-disrupt-retail-market-with-soaring-sales