PRA-Cebu opens search for outstanding retailer

Cebu’s position as the “melting pot” of successful entrepreneurs will get a boost as the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) Cebu Chapter opens the search for “Outstanding Filipino Retailer of the Year-Cebu” this year.

PRA-Cebu Chapter president Jay P. Aldeguer recently announced the start of the search to encourage homegrown retailers to participate in this prestigious search, and PRA-Cebu is accepting nominations starting today until June 11, 2008.

The search is the highlight of the 2nd Cebu Regional Retail Conference this coming June 21 that is part of the Cebu Business Month (CBM 2008) event ext month.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte lauded the effort of the PRA-Cebu chapter to start this kind of event, as it could improve competitiveness of the retail players here, as well as encourage entrepreneurship.

According to Caberte, retailers will invest more on competitiveness and improve their services.

Ten companies will be cited as regional finalists, and they will be qualified for the national competition, Aldeguer said.

PRA is a world class organization that empowers and guides its members to attain global competitiveness and make the retail industry a significant contributor to Philippine economic development.

Every year, PRA recognizes the country’s retailers who have optimized the model of successful retailer in terms of growth and good ethical practices through an annual “Outstanding Filipino Retailers [OFR] Search, initiated in 1997 and being conducted by PRA National Chapter.

“Cebu is the home to world-class Filipino retailers who are major contributors to the growth and development of the Philippine retail industry,” Aldeguer said. – Ehda M. Dagooc