Philippine Retailing Newsletters 2018 PRA eNewsletter 2018 Q4 | Page 5

Local News 4TH QUARTER 2018 PHILIPPINE RETAILING Robinsons deploys first millennial jeepneys for shoppers Robinsons Malls has introduced modern jeepneys, equipped with wifi and aircondition which will offer ride to passengers from Robinsons Place Las Piñas to Calamba, Laguna and vice versa. The modern transport dubbed as “Millennial Jeepney” has 23 seating capacity, and can accommodate additional 10 standing passengers in  its spacious aisle. The fare is set at P12, and will be driven by highly-trained driver from Yellowdotcom, Robinsons’ partner for the initiative. The Millennial Jeepneys ply the route the Las Piña-Laguna and vice versa, with the first dispatch starting at 5:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. daily, with total 15 units running. This modernized PUVs will originate in Robinsons Place Las Piñas to travel to Calamba, Laguna via Alabang -Zapote road as well as pass through SLEX from Filinvest Entry to Calamba Exit and vice versa. The introduction of the Millennial Jeepney is part of Robinsons Malls’ continuous service to its patrons. These iconic jeepneys are the newest addition to its growing transport system to offer a more convenient and faster way of commute to the public. Manila Bulletin, 10/29/2018 DFP opens high-end Luxe outlet IKEA to build its biggest store in Manila A new upscale store offering imported and luxury goods under the Duty Free Philippines has opened last October 17 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex. Swedish home furnishing retailer IKEA has announced that it will be opening the largest IKEA store in the Philippines by end of 2020 at the Mall of Asia complex in Manila. IKEA’s managing director for Southeast Asia Christian Rojkjaer, said they have entered into a long-term lease with the SM Prime Holdings Inc. for the property through its local unit Ikano (Philippines), Inc. He said that the Manila store will be around 65,000 square meters selling functional home furnishing products at affordable prices. It will be as big as 150 basketball courts – almost double the size of a typical IKEA big blue-box, he said. The five-floor building will be similar to other IKEA stores, but only the first two floors will be for brick-and-mortar shop. The other floors will house a call center and a supersized warehouse to accommodate e-commerce operations. IKEA Southeast Asia’s initial investment of around P7 billion will be used to fit out, stock, market, and The 3,000 sq.m. outlet, developed in partnership with Landmark Management Services, provides a previously lacking luxury ambience for prestige beauty, fashion and luxury brands, plus a range of related categories. staff the first store for its opening. The company plans to hire around 500 Filipino co-workers and will create hundreds of spin-off jobs and business opportunities. IKEA is now looking for local partners to support operations in areas such as food supply, transport, waste management, security, and more. Leading luxury fashion names represented in the store include Paul & Shark, Coach, Bally, Longchamp, Kate Spade and Michael Kors, alongside beauty brands such as Chanel, Estée Lauder, La Mer, La Prairie, Clarins, MAC, Dior, Lancôme, Laneige, Bobbi Brown, Tom Ford, Jo Malone, Sulwhasoo and Shiseido, plus a number of Korean beauty brands. The Moodie Davitt Report, 10/19/2018 Rojkjaer also raised the possibility of sourcing products from local enterprises. The self-serve warehouse has flat-packed products ready to be taken home the same day. Parents can drop off kids at a supervised playroom and there is also a restaurant with meals for the whole family. Manila Bulletin, 11/20/2018 The Philippine Retailing is the official quarterly newsletter 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) 687-4985, 687-4180, 687-4181 Fax No.: (632) 636-0825 For questions, comments, suggestions, contributions or ad placements email us at: [email protected] or [email protected] PHILIPPINE RETAILING EDITORIAL TEAM Evelyn Balmeo-Salire Editor-in-Chief BM Miranda Circulation Manager Catherine Nanta Managing Editor Paul Payongayong Graphic Designer Darrell Wisbey | Terry Waterhouse | Shirley Zhu | Raj Afable Contributors 5