MANILA, Philippines — The SSI Group the country’s leading specialty retailer of international brands is all set to launch on Nov. 6 its latest digital venture, a multi-brand e-commerce site which will feature some of the group’s most well known brands in one online destination, and provide customers with a distinct online shopping experience.
Trunc.ph, the group’s multibrand e-commerce site, will complement the group’s 10 existing brand.com sites. This multi-brand marketplace will feature four unique concepts, bringing together some of the group’s most recognizable brands, and providing shoppers with access to a diverse range of quality brands on one convenient digital platform.
In 2019, the group sought not only to strengthen its brick-and-mortar operations, but also to grow its e- commerce presence. Last year, the group increased the number of e-commerce sites in its portfolio, with the launches of zara.com/ph, lush.com.ph, beautybar.com.ph and dunelondon.ph.
In 2020, the group launched marksandspencer.com.ph. These new sites were in addition to existing e-commerce properties lacoste.com.ph, gap.com.ph, bananarepublic.com.ph, payless.com.ph and superga.ph. This year, the group’s e-commerce business has seen significant growth, with online sales increasing by over 300 percent.
Anton Huang, president of the SSI Group, in a virtual briefing, said that “the group’s ability to innovate and ability to adapt, will drive its accelerated e-commerce strategy.” He admitted that following the physical closure of its store from March to June, sales contracted 50 percent. The e-commerce offerings, through integration with their brick and mortar store network, would in future account for 15 percent of sales.
Moving forward, the group will continue to build on its position as the brick and mortar specialty retailer with the widest and most diverse e-commerce presence, through the launch of brands on multiple digital channels – on brand.com sites, on third party marketplaces such as Rustans.com, Zalora and Lazada, and on the group’s own multi brand marketplaces.
Physical expansion, however, Huang admitted, would be assessed as the situation demands.
It’s latest e-commerce site, Trunc.ph is a first-of-its-kind digital portal by the SSI Group, which will feature a multi-brand treasure trove of the finest high-end luxury brands, the most sought after bridge and casual brands, and a diverse range of home essentials, beauty products and colored cosmetics. With its mix of top global brands and its curated selection of the finest and freshest merchandise, this digital lifestyle hub promises ease of shopping for today’s sophisticated shoppers.