The best of the best Cebu retailers were recently invited to Manila to grace the 10th Ayala Malls Merchant Rewards night held at Greenbelt 5.
The much anticipated annual celebration recognizes individuals and establishments whose achievements in innovation, marketing, and management have served as commendable models for other retailers to aspire for.
As in previous years, broadcast celebrity David Celdran hosted this year’s event, ably assisted by Menchu Antigua, former Miss Cebu.
The Visual Merchandizing Excellence had as winners Bleach Catastrophe for local fashion, Celio for foreign fashion, VMV for specialty store, and Rustan’s for department store, Jr. anchor. The establishments were represented by Ma. Medin Villamiel, Bryan Lim, Juan Pablo de Bertoto, and Rico and Nena Tantoco.
Once again, Bleach Catastrophe represented by Ma. Medin Villamiel was the recipient of the Overall Visual Merchandize Excellence Award. This special citation gives recognition to Ayala Malls merchants for their efforts and enthusiasm in effecting good visual merchandizing and display in their outlets the entire year.
The Store Operations Excellence Awards went to Marks & Spencer, Adidas, CMG, Artwork, and Lacoste Footwear. They were represented by Anthony Huang, Haide Sun Yunan, Chan Kok Bin, Ma. Medin Villamiel, and Frido Ong respectively. The citation recognizes the efforts of establishments that strictly adhere to the operational and customer service standards.
The Best in Christmas Decoration Special Awards, given to establishments who have captured the holiday spirit through creative and engaging decorations, went to Levi’s for retail, Oh George for food, Face Shop for specialty store, and Rustan’s for department store, jr. anchor.
The Seeds owned and operated by John and Nadine Gonzales was adjudged the Most Promising Retailer while consistent winner, Rustan’s Cebu, was elevated to the Visual Merchandizing Fall of Fame. Other winners were Florsheim for Marketing Excellence, Celine for Marketing Excellence Values, and Marketing Partners Bigby’s Mother’s Fried Chicken and Oro China. Accepting the awards were Annabelle Chavez, Chan Kok Bin, Henrik Kelly Yu, Mary Lim, and Harry John Viloria.
The much coveted Store of the Year Award went to Lacoste Apparel who has shown its commitment to product innovations and has offered its loyalty and trust to the Ayala Malls by bringing its business to the different Ayala Centers in the country. Elizabeth Quiambao accepted the award.
On hand to do the honors were Fernando Zobel de Ayala, chairman of Ayala Land; Jim Ayala, president and CEO of Ayala Land Inc.; Javi Hernandez, senior division manager, Cathy Bengzon, senior division manager, marketing and events management; Tess Palma, VP and head of development and acquisition; Francis Monera, president of Cebu Holdings; Rowena Tomeldan, VP and deputy group head of Ayala Malls; and Myrna Fernandez, assistant vice president, Ayala Malls Group.
The evening was capped by a mini concert by versatile singer Jed Madela and the popular Company Y singers.
Congratulations to all. We hope these recognitions will inspire others to do their best and move the industry to even greater heights.