MANILA, Philippines - Long lines and crowds are enough to ward most people away, but when it comes to shopping, there’s no stopping the mob. We have proof: At the grand opening of the first Cotton On store in the Philippines at SM Mall of Asia, shoppers lined up as early as 7 a.m. to get first dibs on the latest from the brand’s fall collection.
How can anyone say “no” to freebies and discounts, especially if you’re a big Cotton On fan, like many of the early birds were? The first customers received a P500 discount coupon –– and for a brand that sells two pairs of flats or sandals at P1,200, that’s not a bad deal. Winners of the Cotton On promo that @benchtm conducted on Twitter, and promos conducted by Cotton On bloggers Camille Co, Laureen Uy and Patricia Prieto, also arrived early to claim their prizes. On opening day, Bench BDO Mastercard offered 25-percent discount on all items; Bench Lifestyle cardholders got a 10-percent with every purchase; and for the whole day Cotton On gave away freebies like badges and mugs. At 11 a.m., the crowd had not thinned. Still, over 300 people were waiting in line to get in. Inside, the shopping baskets screeched against each other, there were snake lines to the counter and fitting rooms, and shoppers had this don’t-mess-with-me look on their faces.
Cotton On is an Australian brand that carries basics, fashion basics (trend-inspired everyday wear), and fashion items to highlight any outfit. Cotton On Philippines is patterned after Singapore and Hong Kong branches in terms of items carried and pricing, so fans of the brand no longer need to travel to get the latest trends at affordable prices.