Harry Potter merchandise retailer launches in the Philippines

Scotland-based Harry Potter merchandise retailer Museum Context has launched its first Philippine store at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The store, which specializes in licensed Harry Potter products, is operated by an avid fan of the books and movies, Katsie Llave, who during a trip with her father to Edinburgh, came across the Museum Context flagship store on Victoria Street. At the same time, she happened to meet its founder Andrew McRae, who agreed to partner with her in developing the concept in the Philippines.

Llave, who also runs events company Patronus, describes the partnership with McRae, as a perfect opportunity “to create magical moments for fans, by fans”.

“Every item in this shop has been selected with genuine excitement and dedication to the brand, and we are confident that fans will fall in love with this just as much as we have,” she said.

“Our first weeks of trading have exceeded all our expectations and is proof that the magic lives on,” she said.

Museum Context, founded in 2007, operates four stores in Edinburgh. In 2011, McRae took the concept to Hong Kong, and has since expanded to several locations including one at Hong Kong International Airport, which opened earlier this year.

McRae sees Asia as a key growth market and says that the Philippine foray acts a gateway for future expansion in the region.