Robinsons set to re-launch Tacloban mall next year

MANILA, Philippines - Gokongwei-owned Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. is resuming operations of Robinsons Place Tacloban, six weeks after Super Typhoon Yolanda ravaged the city.

Robinsons Place Tacloban, one of the best performing Robinsons malls, will be re-launched next year following a major rehabilitation, the company said in a disclosure.

The listed multi-format retailer said its subsidiaries Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Department Store, Handyman Do It Best, Robinsons Appliances, Toys R Us, Toybox and Daiso Japan will re-open on Dec. 19.

“The group will be operating approximately 5,500 square meters of selling area in the mall to provide for the shopping needs of the Taclobanons for the upcoming yuletide season,” Robinsons Retail said.

“There is really a conscious effort from the group to re-open on Dec. 19 to be in time for the Christmas holidays,” said Mariano Joaquin Jr., vice-president for business development of Robinsons Retail.

Joaquin said their stores in Tacloban City, which is striving to bring trade and commerce back to normal, are among the best performers since they opened four years ago.

Robinsons Place Tacloban was ransacked by looters in the wake of Yolanda, one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever to hit land.

Given constraints like unstable power supply, Robinsons Place Tacloban will be open only from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The supermarket is also unable to carry frozen and refrigerated items like fresh meat, fish and ice cream for the time being, the company said.

Consumers can still buy the usual variety of canned goods, snacks, beverages, milk and other food products including noche buena items. Robinsons Retail will also sell basic wear, shoes, hardware products, home appliances, toys and gift items.

“This temporary selling area will continue to operate while the mall is undergoing a major rehabilitation,” Robinsons Retail said.

Robinsons Place Tacloban is scheduled to be re-launched in April 2014.

Robinsons Retail is the Philippines’ second largest retail operating under nine formats: Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Appliances, Ministop, South Star Drug, Handyman, True Value, Howards Storage World, Toys R Us, Saizen and a selection of international fashion apparel.