Cebu Belmont depot enjoys upbeat growth

After bagging the “Regional Retailer of the Year” award in the recently concluded Outstanding Filipino Retailers and Shopping Center of the Year ceremony at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Quezon City, Cebu Belmont is bent on intensifying its reach and presence in the emerging home development market segment this year.

Cebu Belmont Incorporated had its successful inauguration of its innovative mall type facility they called as the Belmont Hardware Depot at the downtown area last August. But only after a few months of their operation in the area, they have already made a difference in Cebu’s homegrown hardware industry.

“Penetrating the growing home development market is a challenging feat for us but we are very much determined to become part of this growing market,” said Engr. Felomino D. Ang, Cebu Belmont, Inc.’s Vice President in an exclusive interview.

Ang discussed that since they operated their depot last August, their sales have peaked up and are continuously moving up.

 “We did not expect this kind of reaction to think that the company has been known in the industrial market. We believe that our mall type store concept has been helpful to increase the awareness of the general public as our customer’s traffic daily is improving,” Ang explained.

Belmont Hardware Depot is located at Plaridel Street near Sto. Niño Church. It has a floor area of 3, 000 square meters and is still 70% developed. It is composed of two-storey levels wherein industrial materials are displayed in the ground level and home improvement lines are displayed at the second level. 

The depot carries imported product lines from Germany, US, Europe, China, Japan and Taiwan.

So far, Cebu Belmont still has two branches and the other is located in Mandaue City, but Ang revealed that the company is eyeing future expansion plans.

“As a new player in the home improvement segment of the hardware industry market, we will still have to wait and see what will happen in months to come as our operations continuous, but we really are very keen on expanding as soon as possible,” Ang said. 

After a successful operation last year, Cebu Belmont is determined to strengthen its hold of the emerging home development market this 2008.

“The home improvement market is getting bigger and is continuously improving as housing projects in the province increases. Belmont may not be a major player in this kind of market, but we want to be part of its growth,” stressed Ang.

Cebu Belmont Inc. was established in 1973 by their CEO Antonio Lim and Chairman of the Board Josiefe A. Lim. This year, the hardware company will be celebrating their 35th anniversary.

The “Outstanding Filipino Retailers and Shopping Center of the Year” is a national award-giving body initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) which strives to encourage Filipino retailers to adopt world-class retailing that is at par with world’s best. Since 2007, the award has been given to 100 local Filipino retailers that have adhered to quality standard in their business operations. – Rhia de Pablo