By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Oct 9 (PNA) — About a hundred of the country’s biggest malls are expected to participate in the “Philippine Shopping Festival,” the biggest nationwide grand sale, slated this month.
The festival, which will be held from Oct 23.to Nov 8, is a two week-long sale where shopping malls and retailers in the Philippines offer different discounts and promo to entice both people to shop.
Organized by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), together with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the festival is also being eyed to become a yearly event.
PRA said that the festival was expected to contribute to development of the Philippine retail industry, and at the same time, make the Philippines a new shopping destination in the Asia Pacific region.
The association said that Philippines had just as much competitive edge as that of countries like Hong Kong and Singapore which have been known in the region as go-to shopping destinations.
PRA president Lorenzo Formoso said that this would be the first time for the country in holding the festival after almost 13 years.
“…We came up with an idea of promoting shopping in the Philippines during the time all delegates from APRC and APEC will be here in the country,” Formoso said.
“For those who want to save money and take advantage of the sale, this is it,” he added.
Malls participating in the festival include Alimall, Araneta Center, Gateway, Farmer’s Plaza, Alabag Town Center, Ayala Malls, Bonifacio High Street, Glorietta, Harbor Point, Marquee Mall, Market Market, Trinoma, Eastwood City, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Lucky Chinatown, Newport Mall, Tiendesitas, Vmall, Greenhills Shopping Center, Duty Free Philippines, Fisher Mall, Greenfield District, Riverbanks Center, Robinsons Malls, Shangri-La Plaza, Sta. Lucia Mall, Festival Mall, Fairview Terraces, Greenbelt, and Starmall, among others.
Shopping of tourism goods currently accounts for 15 percent of the total tourism expenditures recorded in 2014, second to accommodation which comprised 32 percent. (PNA)