RETAILERS and businessmen looking to expand to Asia-Pacific markets will find up-to-date developments in the world’s fastest-growing region at the Manila edition of the Asia-Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition (APRCE) from October 28 to 30 at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
The APRCE is the biggest and longest-running retail industry event in Asia Pacific, and is expected to attract some 2,500 foreign and local, retailers and executives to attend.
Philippine Retailers Association President Lorenzo C. Formoso, COO of Duty Free Philippines, said the 17 member-economies of the Federation of Asia Pacific Retailers Association (Fapra) will present their respective country reports during the APRCE breakout sessions. These include reports from Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, New Zealand, India, Mongolia, Fiji, Turkey and the Philippines.
The Philippines last hosted this biennial event—the biggest conference and expo of retailers in the region, two decades ago.
“The member-associations will present and discuss the retail environment, and situation in their respective countries, retail and investment opportunities, as well as the laws governing foreign investments in their respective retail industries,” Formoso emphasized.
Frederick D. Go, Manila APRCE 2015 overall chairman, president of Robinsons Recreation Inc. said through the country reports, Fapra member-associations will get the chance to present the strengths and opportunities their markets offer that attract international retailers to consider them in their expansion plans.
“If you are looking to expand and need a good market intelligence about Asia Pacific and the 17 member-economies, the APRCE is a must-attend event for you this year. This is like a one-stop shop for all the market intelligence that you’ll need for your expansion in Asia-Pacific markets,” Go stressed.
On Day Two of the APRCE on October 29, the retail associations of Australia, Vietnam, China, India, Fiji, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia and South Korea will present their country reports during breakout sessions, to be followed on Day Three (October 30) by Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey.
Aside from the country reports, over 30 experts will speak and share their insights on the trends and updates on the global retail and marketing industries during the event. .
Organized by the Fapra, the Manila APRCE 2015 is copresented by the Tourism Promotions Board, The SM Store and Wyeth Nutrition. With Bench, Flight 001 and Penshoppe as platinum sponsors; Robinsons Malls and Ayala Malls, PLDT Alpha, Megaworld, Unilab, Mercury Drug as gold sponsors; Duty Free Philippines, HP, Wilcon Depot, Kojie-san, Celine, MET Tathione as silver sponsors; Araneta Center as bronze sponsor; Philippine Airlines as official carrier; Mastercard as preferred card; Sportshouse as sponsor; Solaire Resort & Casino Hotel as official partner hotel; Shook Kelley and IGD as special session sponsors; Media Blitz Group as official PR partner and convention organizer; Retail Asia as official international publication; Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association as partner organization: Fascin8, as official digital advertising partner; official newspaper—Philippine Star; official media partner—Business World; Retail Customer Experience, Asia Briefing, Inside Retail Asia and Oxford Business Group as digital media partners, and ABS-CBN News Channel/Shoptalk as broadcast media partner.
Formoso said the three-day event aims to explore and discover new approaches to issues facing the region’s retailers and highlight innovative solutions that can help them differentiate themselves from competitors, and to deliver greater value to consumers.
For inquiries on sponsorships, booths and registration, contact the PRA secretariat at (02) 6874180, 6874181, 6874985, or e-mail aprce2015@philretailers.com, ebbs@philretailers.com, asecgen@philretailers.com, or visit its web site www.2015APRCEMANILA.com.ph and www.philretailers.com.