Manila-based retailer eyes growth in Cebu

With Cebu’s fast-paced lifestyle and the emerging retail developments in the area, a retail conglomerate based in Manila is now looking at Cebu as another growth area.

Jimmy L. Thai, the president and CEO of Primer Group, the distributor of international retail brands and lifestyle products in the country said that Cebu, next to Manila has a huge potential in terms of growth.

He said that the resiliency of Cebu’s local economy shows that the market in the city is not susceptible to “gloomy” situations in the global economy.

“Cebu is very resilient and so far we have been doing well in the area since we started. And we hope to really grow our business here,” said Thai.

He said that since malling was introduced in the city, the market has already embraced the concept and now, retail is booming.

“The tourism clientele in Cebu is also growing as it continues to attract a lot of foreign tourists such as Asians, Europeans and Americans which gives Cebu an edge over other locations,” he said.

Primer started in Cebu with the Travel Club established in Ayala Center Cebu in 1994.

Now, the Primer Group already established eight varied lifestyle shops in the city including concept stores such as Res-Toe-Run (RTR) which offers various footwear brands distributed by the company and the Bratpack, a concept store for sporty bags and lifestyle products.

Just recently, Primer group brought in new brands to Cebu such as Columbia Sportswear, The North Face, Sanuk, Fitflops and other high-end lifestyle brands.

Thai said that they are currently talking to Cebu’s mall operators as they plan to bring in new concepts and new brands here in Cebu.

He said that they are looking at bringing ROX (Recreational Outdoor Exchange), their recreational and outdoor concept shop here in Cebu maybe next year as they eye a market for this segment because of the strong campaigns regarding adventure tourism industry here in the area.

Aside from that, Thai said that they will also soon open a stand alone store for their Sanuk products, which has been gaining huge following from Cebuano footwear buyers.

He said that in introducing a new brand in the market, their company choose newer foreign brands that are not yet popular and has huge potential to hit the Philippine market.

“We look for emerging brands that are not yet popular but with a lot of potential,” he said.

The Primer Group of Companies started in 1985 and is engaged in the distribution, retailing and licensing of consumer and industrial products in the Philippines through its affiliates.

It is presently expanding in Asia in countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Here in the Philippines, the Primer Group is composed of business groups namely: consumer products that include footwear, apparels, bags, luggages and accessories; and industrial products and services.

The company distributed its retail via channels of more than 60 free standing and company owned stores, over 500 shops and consignment or concessionaires as well as through its corporate sales. — Rhia de Pablo