Ayala Malls salute top retailers at 15th Annual Merchant Rewards

MANILA, Philippines - Together with their merchant partners, the premier lifestyle and shopping destination Ayala Malls continue their commitment of providing the best and most unique experiences for their patrons. This year the Ayala Malls once again recognize their merchant partners who have shown excellence in store operations, marketing, and visual merchandising.

Now in its 15th year, the Ayala Malls Merchant Rewards take it to another level by holding the 9th Merchant Forum participated in by Ayala Malls’ merchants, where specialists from various fields share the latest retail trends and best practices. This year’s theme focused on “Driving Retail Integration” with key speakers from the retail industry, visual design, marketing and advertising, media and entertainment, and the government who shared trends and insights on consumers today.

The two-day forum began with keynote speaker, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras who discussed “Integrated Economic and Human Development Framework of the Aquino Administration.” Effective Measure Philippines country managing director Maria Rodriguez Java shared information on “A Day in The Life of The Modern Shopper” while Joel Villamayor, assistant vice president for retail marketing and international operations of the Jollibee Foods Corporation tackled “Omni-Chanel Marketing: Engaging Today’s Shoppers.”

The afternoon continued with more insightful talks from visual merchandising expert Quenby Go, partner and co-founder of InDesign Specialists Inc. Architect John Gish discussed “Retail Design Trends for a Unique Customer Experience” while country manager for Visa Philippines and Guam Iain Jamieson talked about “The Future Impact of Payment Cards on Retailers in the Philippines.”

On the second day of the forum, notable director and ABS-CBN head of TV production entertainment Lauren Dyogi shared “The Future of TV and Traditional Media.” Digital expert Arthur Policarpio, head of Mobext Asia Pacific, shared today’s online trends on “Integrating Digital Platforms to Drive Store Traffic.” Google Philippines’ country manager Narciso Reyes and industry manager Charly Atienza touched on “Maximizing Opportunities for Your Brand.” An animated and very informative presentation was given by Rob Morton from the Disney Institute on “Disney’s Approach to Quality Service.” Brand success stories and retail strategies were discussed by entrepreneurs Mary Grace Dimacali of Mary Grace Café, Ben Loo of Switch, Eric Puno of Army Navy, Andre Wisneiwski of Raintree Restaurants. Merchants were also given a treat as the forum closed with a raffle to a two-night stay in Hotel Intercontinental, and overnight stays in Seda, and Holiday Inn and Suites.

 The highlight of the forum included  presenting special awards including: Visual Merchandising Excellence, Overall Visual Merchandising Excellence, Green Merchant Award, Marketing Excellence Values, Marketing Partners, and Marketing Excellence.

 The culmination of the 15th Ayala Malls Merchant Rewards was the Awards Night, led by Ayala Corporation chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Beatriz Zobel, Ayala Land chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Kit Zobel and Ayala Land president Tony Aquino. They were joined by Ayala Land executives Bobby Dy, executive vice president and COO and commercial business group head; Emilio Tumbocon, Ayala Land SVP and VIS-MIN group head; Rowena Tomeldan, vice president and head of operations and support services, commercial business group; and Cora Dizon, vice president and head of business development and strategic planning, commercial business group. The annual awards ceremonies celebrate the admirable efforts of Ayala Malls’ merchant partners, a gathering that celebrates the premiere of retail.

The Awards Night took place at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive and was attended by the country’s most respected retailers. The awarding ceremony featured two of today’s timeless singers Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera, accompanied by the enchanting music from Maestro Gerard Salonga and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.

Awards were given to Ayala Malls’ merchants in the following categories: Visual Merchandising Hall of Fame, Overall Visual Merchandising Excellence, Overall Marketing Excellence, and Special Award for Promoting Philippine Arts & Culture, Store Operations Excellence, Most Promising Retailer, and Store of the Year and the Grand Store of the Year. A special award for the 15th year of the Merchant Rewards was also given to the retail groups that have continuously supported and partnered with the Ayala Malls and have continuously excelled in the retail industry. The trophies given out to all awardees during the night were especially designed by Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

 This year, Team Manila received the Visual Merchandising Hall of Fame award for having won the Overall Visual Merchandising Award for three consecutive years. Swatch Philippines took home the Overall Marketing Excellence Award and Bench received the Special Award for Promoting Philippine Arts and Culture.

Awarded for Store Operations Excellence were Rustan’s Department Store, Officine, and Casa Verde for Ayala Center Cebu; Bambu, Lacoste Footwear, and Charriol for Abreeza; Lacoste, Footwear, Geox, and Nike Stadium for Abreeza; Adidas, Lacoste, and Nike Park for TriNoma; Nike Stadium, Topman, and Mango for Alabang Town Center; Pedro, Y-3, and Arya for Serendra & Bonifacio High Street; Etude House, ResToe-Run, and Watch Republic for Market! Market!; Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, J.Co Donuts, and Café Mary Grace for Greenbelt; Geox, Switch, and Rimowa for Glorietta.

 The Most Promising Retailer awardees were: Lemon Grass for Ayala Center Cebu, T’nalak Home for Abreeza, Dakasi and Paws Around Town for Marquee Mall, Cotton On Kids for TriNoma, Yosi Samra for Alabang Town Center, G-Star Raw for Serendra & Bonifacion High Street, Moshi Koshi for Market! Market!, Burger Bar for Greenbelt, and Vanilla Cupcake Bakery for Glorietta.

The special 15th year award was given to Alberto Retail Group, Bench Group, Golden ABC Inc., Planet Sports Inc., Primer Group of Companies, Rustan Coffee Corporation, Army Navy, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Golden Arches Development Corp., Abenson Group, Stores Specialists Inc., Lucerne, National Bookstore Group, Mercury Drug, Folded & Hung, Robinsons Retail Group, Shoe Salon, Guess Philippines, Sumo Sam Group and Mirani Group of Companies.

Grand Store of The Year award was presented to Nike Philippines, for their exemplary efforts and performance in store operations.

 The annual Merchant Rewards celebration is hosted by the Ayala Malls as a way of recognizing and thanking its valuable merchant partners who continue in helping them provide the best and most unique lifestyle and shopping experience to their patrons.