Australian brand Anko collaborates with Filipino artist for Philippine-exclusive store design 

MANILA, Philippines — Christmas decorations and items for home entertaining, such as plates and glasses, sold-out even before the day was through at the recent first day of opening of Australian home and lifestyle brand Anko in Glorietta 2, Makati City.

These stuff, however, have since been replenished and have stayed in-demand a week since the 1,200-square-meter, multi-category store swung open its doors with the aim of bringing its original designs that took Australia and New Zealand by storm to the Philippines.

As homage to the importance of home and family as Filipino values, the brand collaborated with Filipino artist Jamie Bauza for its Christmas shopping bag. Bauza’s design features a candid take on Filipinos’ Christmas tradition revolving around extended families and good food. The bag’s design has been magnified into the store’s window, giving a local flavor into the global brand.

“Creating this Christmas bag… allowed me to infuse Filipino spirit into a global brand, blending traditional elements with (the brand’s) modern style. It’s a piece that celebrates the Filipino love for family and togetherness, especially during the holidays,” Bauza explained in a statement.

In the same spirit of creating meaningful connections from day one, the brand introduced its “Kaya Bagay Tayo” campaign, highlighting its commitment to becoming the perfect match with any Filipino lifestyle.

Established in 2017 as a leading home and lifestyle brand in Australia, Anko is part of the Kmart Group, which includes Kmart Australia, Target Australia and Anko Global, and is owned by Wesfarmers Ltd, one of the leading ASX-listed companies in Australia.

With a design team that travels the world to source inspiration, the brand stays ahead of global trends, creating products that seamlessly fit into any lifestyle. By designing its own products and working directly with manufacturers, the label eliminates the usual retail markups, bringing high-quality items to customers at prices that make sense. 

Now in the Philippines, the brand aims to make everyday living brighter for Filipino families by offering on-trend products designs at irreversibly low prices across categories such as homeware, bedding, toys, beauty, travel and more.

“The Philippines is a natural choice for Anko,” stated Anko Philippines Country Manager Rachel Turner.

“It’s a vibrant market where people truly resonate with our products, and the culture here, like back home, places a strong emphasis on family. With over a hundred million people in the Philippines compared to our home market of 30 million, where we sell over a billion units annually, we see immense potential. It’s an exciting opportunity to bring (the brand’s) value and quality to even more homes.”

“We are delighted to introduce Anko to the Philippines, a country that shares Australia’s deep appreciation for family and home,” the brand’s global Chief Executive Officer Arjun Puri affirmed in the same statement. 

According to him, the brand’s expansion reflects its value of “bringing affordable, quality products to enhance everyday living.” Their mission, he added, is to become a meaningful part of Filipino homes, “where family moments are treasured.”