With about 1 million workers in the business-process outsourcing (BPO) industry presenting immense opportunities, industry stalwart Samie Lim said 24/7 retail arcades and food trucks catering to “nightshifters” will be the new growth area for Philippine retailing.
In an interview at the sidelines of the 18th Outstanding Filipino Retailers and Shopping Centers of the Year (OFR-SCY) Awards, organized by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), PRA Chairman Emeritus Samie Lim said the growing number of BPO employees is a ripe market to tap.
“We’re thinking of ways to tap the almost 1 million workers in the business-process outsource sector. We’re talking about the nightshifters, those who get off at 7 a.m. and may want to shop around before going home. We want to create little arcades for them,” said Lim, also the chairman emeritus and acknowledge “Father of Philippine Franchising.”
The concept, though, still to be ironed out, is being pitched already to mall developers and may run on a 24/7 basis.
Food and fashion brands have yet to commit, Lim added, but the plan is in the pipeline.
Another innovation that may be welcomed by the 1 million-strong work force of the BPO sector is the introduction of roaming food trucks, a food-and-beverage trend popularized in San Francisco.
“I visited San Francisco to really see the food trucks, and they have big parking lots, where all these trucks are organized. The BPO workers don’t want to keep eating at the same 24/7 convenience stores, fast-food places and cafeterias, all-year round; they want variety. We want to organize these food trucks that will go around the BPO centers,” Lim said.
Lim, likewise, said he is contributing to the effort of organizing interested food brands for the food-truck concept, as he sees merit in the idea.
Meanwhile, with the Asean integration in the horizon and the entry of foreign retail brands now the norm, Lim emphasized that learning from the foregn players will be key for local brands to survive.
“Everyone’s attention will be onus this year; a lot more retailers are coming in so there will be tough competition. I hope the foreign ones that will be coming in will teach us and set a new benchmark for competition,” he said.
The tighter race in the retailing industry, however, will not be without its setback.
Lim said sales of retailers, across the different subsectors, may see a decrease of 10 percent to 20 percent, but for a temporary period only.
“Everywhere with intense competition there will be a slight decline. But after a few months, maybe two to three months, it will recover. Those who have put value in their products and services will definitely survive,” Lim added.
Golden ABC Inc., owner of apparel brand Penshoppe, bested other homegrown retailers for this year’s Global Retailer of the Year Award. The award seeks to recognize and honor a homegrown retailer “who has successfully expanded their business internationally and was able to establish their brand on a global scale.”
The OFR/SCY Awards is considered as the Oscars of the retail industry and honors the cream of the crop of Philippine retailing. Jointly organized by the PRA and the Department of Trade and Industry since 1997, the awards seek to honor retailers and shopping centers that epitomize the model of success and good ethical practices.
Another highlight of this year’s gala night was the handing out of the President’s Award to Megaworld Chairman Dr. Andrew Tan, who earned the title “Pillar of Mixed-Use Developments.”
Previous recipients of the President’s Award include Samie Lim (Pioneering Pillar of Franchising); Henry Sy (Father of Philippine Retailing); Fernando Zobel de Ayala (Pillar of Philippine Retail Development); Jorge Araneta (Pioneer of Philippine Retail Entertainment); Socorro Ramos (Matriarch of Philippine Retailing); John Gokongwei Jr. (Champion of Retail Entrepreneurship); Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr.( Father of Luxury Retailing); Mariano Que (Father of Health and Wellness Retailing); and Teresita Sy-Coson (Philippine Retailing’s Woman Visionary Leader.)
Also recognized during the event were this year’s winners in the following categories: Full–Line Department Store/Hypermart, Food Retailer, Fashion, Services, Home Improvement Center, Most Promising Retailer, Regional Retailer, Specialty Retailer, Shopping Center of the Year and Regional Shopping Center of the Year.