Loalde boosts local presence amid global expansion plans

CEBU, Philippines - Despite plans of penetrating the international market, Cebu-based high-end garment brand Loalde likewise strengthens its domestic presence with four more outlets in the pipeline for the Philippine market, bringing to 16 the total number of local stores in the next three years.

This after the company noted a significant performance in its business, with 15 percent average sales growth in the last eight months, said Loalde president Chris P. Aldeguer.

Managed and operated by the Aldeguer & Co. Inc., a subsidiary of the Aldeguer Group and Companies (AGC), the 30-year chic clothing brand has strongly established its name in the Philippine market, successfully competing with global names such as Mango and Zara, among others.

Positioned as an upscale clothing line brand in the Philippines, Aldeguer said expansion plans this year will focus on Luzon, immediately after it pursues its international venture.

At present, there are a total of 12 Loalde boutiques across the country, strategically located in sophisticated malls. Aldeguer said the company has decided to operate all its Philippine-based stores, and offer the international outlets to licensee agreement or franchise.

In 2011, the company plans to open international outlets starting with Singapore and Malaysia.

Since its target market is more on the upper-end segment, Aldeguer said the global economic crisis has not affected the brand’s performance. In fact, he described this year’s performance as the “best ever.”

While the garment industry in general in the Philippines had been affected by the “belt tightening” measures of the consumers, Aldeguer said Loalde had been able to weather the economic distress.

“It’s even a mystery to me that we performed well this year. Maybe because our target market’s [pocket] is not affected by the crisis,” he said in an interview recently during the launching of its new campaign dubbed “Style Generation.”

Popularly known to the young professional market, Loalde is now expanding its target reach that already includes the stylish and trendier designs for the young generation market.

About 50 percent of Loalde’s clothing lines for men and women are manufactured in its plant in Cebu, while 50 percent are made in Hong Kong.

The brand is known for its chic and exclusive designs that hit the taste of the upscale Filipino consumers, including a growing number of foreigners.

Loalde’s mother company AGC, is also the maker of several well known garment brands in the Philippines, such as Island Souvenirs, USA Sports, and Bisaya Ispisyal.

While the entry of big international clothing brands in the Philippine market is deemed a threat to local brands as Loalde, Aldeguer said the coming in of more globally known brands have instead helped Filipino consumers to be more fashion conscious, which in turn that als helped Loalde increase its clientele base or brand followers.