Reporting and analysis on retail, e-commerce, and consumer trends in Philippines, updated continuously by our newsroom.
International news and convenience retailer WHSmith has opened two new stores at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. The new branches under local franchise partner Regent Distributor Philippines join three existing stores at Mactan-Cebu and Manila Ninoy Aquino…
Vietnam has for the first time entered the Bloomberg Innovation Index of the world’s 60 most innovative economies. It scored 45.92 out of 100 in the 2019 index. Other new entrants include India, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Bloomberg said: “The index analyzes…
SM Prime says it will open four new malls in Philippine provinces this year. The company will also intensify land-banking efforts to make it easier to develop properties in the future. The new SM Prime malls will be SM Mindpro Citimall in Zamboanga City, SM…
Jollibee Foods has confirmed it is taking legal action against a copycat restaurant in China. A recent Facebook post which went viral featuring the Chinese restaurant – named JoyRulBee – drew much attention among internet users in the Philippines, after a…
CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has obtained the green light to establish its investment banking business in the Philippines. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the group said its wholly owned subsidiary CIMB Group Sdn Bhd had on Jan 23 received the relevant approvals…
The founding father of Philippine retail, Henry Sy, has passed away. Sy, who has topped the Philippines Rich List for the last seven years, was chairman emeritus of SM Investments, one of the country’s largest business conglomerates. A Chinese immigrant who…
Indonesia’s Go-Jek suffered a setback to its expansion plans on Wednesday after the transportation regulator in the Philippines rejected its application to launch a ride-hailing service, saying its domestic unit did not meet local ownership criteria. However,…
Philippines fast-food operator Shakey’s Pizza Asia says it plans to continue expansion across the region by opening 20 new stores this year. The openings will see the brand’s total outlets increase to 248 locations, according to a statement released by the…
BBK Electronics’ budget smartphone brand Realme is eyeing expansion into Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. The company’s online distribution strategy has brought it success in the Indian market and makes broader expansion possible, according to Realme global…
Malaysian home improvement brand Mr DIY is considering an IPO to raise about MYR1.5 billion (US$362 million). An industry source has revealed that the firm intends to list its domestic operations later this year on either the Malaysian or Hong Kong exchange…
Hong Kong’s Honolulu Cafe has opened its first branch in Manila. Renowned for its signature egg tarts with 192 flakey pastry layers (no, we are not sure who counted them!), the cafe also serves its own house-blend of coffee. The new store opened last week,…
Most Southeast Asian shares climbed on Thursday, with Philippine markets leading gains ahead of the release of inflation figures, while Singaporean stocks bucked the trend to fall sharply. Philippine stocks gained 1.04 percent, as industrial shares SM…
It’s been called the “McDonald’s of the Philippines,” and the late Anthony Bourdain dubbed it “the wackiest, jolliest place on earth.” Jollibee, a fast food chain based in the Philippines, has become one of the world’s largest restaurant franchises, with more…
Factory activity weakened across Asia in December as the Sino-US trade war and a slowdown in Chinese demand hit production in most economies, strengthening the case for a pause in interest rate hikes in the region in 2019. A series of purchasing managers’…
AirAsia Group chief executive Tony Fernandes says the group has no plans to establish new subsidiaries over the next three years, apart from a unit in Vietnam. In a series of tweets, Fernandes says the low-cost carrier will focus its efforts on launching…
Hong Kong dessert chain Hui Lau Shan will launch in the Philippines in February. The franchise, best known for its mango-based treats,will open at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City with a range of desserts that are expected to draw on local fruits. Mango…
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