Brit retailer to bring in more brands with store expansion

CEBU, Philippines - The lucrative retail market in Cebu prompted British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) to double its store size in Cebu, just in time for the shopping season.

In its 10 years of existence in Cebu, this is the first time that M&S, operated by Philippine master franchisee Rustan Marketing Specialists, Inc., expanded its store at the Ayala Center Cebu, now situated in an 800 square meters boutique concept store

This move mirrors the Rustan Group’s confidence on Cebu’s retail landscape, as it is also poised to bring in more international luxury brands in Cebu, said Rustan Group’s Store Specialist Inc., president Anton Huang in an interview Thursday.

Huang said the active retail market in Cebu deserves wider choices of the British’s leading retailer.

To date, there are a total of 23 M&S stores nationwide, Huang said the company is constantly exploring good opportunities to add more M&S stores in Cebu.

He added that M&S is one of the first international brands to land Cebu 10 years ago. Today, there are at least international 20 brands operated by SSI, these include, Calvin Klein, Beauty Bar, Lacoste, F&F, MUJI, GAP,  Zara, Aeropostale, the newly opened Pull & Bear, and soon to open Spanish fashion brand Bershka, among others.

Depends on space availability, Huang earlier announced that the company is ready to bring in a little over a dozen more designer labels and luxury brands to Cebu.

“Cebu market is becoming more and more affluent. They understand well the fashion trends. They are traveling quite a great deal,” said Huang.

SSI is a member of the Rustan’s Group of Companies and the exclusive franchisee of some of the finest international brands in fashion and lifestyle such as Lacoste, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bally, Michael Kors, Prada, Burberry, Marc Jacobs and other over a hundred more names.

Huang announced that Cebu will have the presence of other established and signature fashion brands by next years, such as the likes of Old Navy, Charming Charlie,  among others  to add to its roster of over 20 specialty branded stores now present in Cebu.

SSI is now operating a total of 112 international brands in the Philippine market, available in 746 stores nationwide.

The recent opening the of the larger Rustans Department Store in Cebu, also brought more branded fashion brands like Purla, Michael Korrs, and others. — Ehda M. Dagooc (FREEMAN)