'Tis the season for shopping - and rebuilding lives

MANILA, Philippines - Clean your backyard after yesterday’s storms, dry your tears, get your shopping bags and wear a smile.

Rustan’s, the country’s premier luxury retail chain, has officially declared the start of the Christmas shopping season. And despite the ravages from storm “Ondoy,” there are many reasons to smile.

Most stores are now decked in holiday fashion. In Rustan’s there are 12 trees, each one representing a country. There is a story behind that. Changing lives --not changing décor --is the main agenda of Rustan’s this season.

Rustan’s president Nedy Tantoco recently called on the stores’ foreign  suppliers to come to the aid of flood victims in the Philippines. In a touching response, these suppliers quickly sent in cash or goods which are now being repacked by the store for distribution to places like Marikina, Laguna and Northern Luzon this holiday season.

“Christmas is for children, so this year, we are focusing on making sure that we bring happiness to children,” explains Tantoco. Rustan’s is working with Children’s Hour, Operation Smile, St. Anthony’s Boys Village and CRIBS. “We want the poorest of the poor children to experience the joy of opening a Christmas gift which includes Noche Buena food for the family to share this Christmas.”

This project, however, is not just about dole-outs. “We also aim to provide shelter for abandoned and abused children, medical aid and education scholarships,” says Anton Huang, Rustan’s EVP.

 Huang said help came in from suppliers of 12 countries, inspiring Rustan’s to make its theme “One World, One Christmas.” These countries and suppliers include  Spain (Zara, Massimo Dutti, Lladro, Nao); France (Cartier, Christian Dior, Agatha, Le Sportsac, Jacques Farel; Italy (Roberto Coin, Salvatore Ferragamo, Magnani); United Kingdom (Marks & Spencer); Switzerland (Charriol); Canada (Lush); Brazil (Tamara Comolli); Portugal (Hermar, Monaco Misaki); Japan (Kose); Hong Kong (Princess, Gamma); Singapore (Raoul); and United States (Jones New York, Baby Phat, Jack Nicklaus, Ecco, Nine West, Steve Madden, Anne Klein, Aerosoles, OKAk, Brown, Estee Lauder, OPI, Murad, Mario Badescu, OXO, Palmer’s, Monet).

One supplier, Rowena Bird of Lush, gave a response that particularly made spirits soar. “I will immediately go parachute jumping to raise an amount for Filipino typhoon victims,” she said, as she asked for pledges from business associates and friends.

Décor and bags with a message

Aside from the Christmas trees representing these countries, there are green hedges and natural decor all around Rustan’s selling floors. There is a story behind that, as well.

 “We hope that these green hedges will help remind shoppers to be more environment-conscious,” says Tantoco, “that we can all help minimize erosions, floods and global warming, and prevent future calamities.”

By next week, all Rustan’s shopping bags will no longer be in plastic. Instead, they will be in biodegradable paper. And if you bring your own shopping bag at Rustan’s Supermarket, you get extra points for your FSP (Frequent Shopping Points) Card.

 Shopping for gifts will be easier on the budget this season as the Tantocos offer clothes, accessories, beauty products and home furnishings with specially marked-down prices.

“Despite world recession, the year was really looking good for us retailers, and spending was still strong--until Ondoy happened.” Huang adds. “But the blessing is, next year is an election year, which is always a good year for the retailing industry. Another blessing is that certain suppliers are lowering their prices, realizing that the worldwide recession has cut down the spending power of consumers. Their prices were way too high, and now, they’ve gone back down to earth.” 

 Yes, ’tis the season for rediscounting, rebuilding and recovering.