In a recent online conference in Bangkok hosted by the World Spa & Wellness where I represented the Philippines, spa and wellness stakeholders from the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam shared one grim observation: the industry has been . In preparation for the country update that I had to do, I conducted a quick survey among…
We asked three CEOs from different industries what they expect from their marketers during (and eventually after) the COVID-19 crisis. These three CEOs — Aleli Arcilla, President and General Manager of Reckitt Benckiser Philippines (better known as the maker of Lysol, and Strepsils); Johnlu Koa, Founder and CEO of French Baker; and Jet Parma, President…
Carmen’s Best is riding the digitization wave and going into cyberspace. The premium Filipino ice cream has harnessed digital technology to turn its website, www.carmensbest.com, into a full-fledged electronic store (e-store). Founder and chief executive officer Francisco Magsaysay said, like most businesses, the 10-year-old artisanal ice cream business faced major challenges when the COVID-19 pandemic…
The pandemic has significantly changed people’s lives, especially in terms of shopping. As more consumers choose to stay indoors, they also increasingly turn to online platforms for their needs—a trend that will continue even as retail establishments restart operations. For a booming industry that is fast-growing in markets such as the Philippines and other nations…
Retail financial transactions executed through the central bank-backed national quick reaction (QR) code standard have increased dramatically in recent months as the pandemic pushed more people toward contactless payment schemes, according to the central bank. In an online briefing, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said person-to-person payments using the “QR Ph” system —…
Increased dependence on technology, new concepts of identity, a demand for real experiences and a rise in consumer rating are some of the top priorities of consumers in the next 10 years, according to the Dentsu Consumer Vision 2030: The Age of Inclusive Intelligence, a futuristic study by global marketing services group Dentsu International. Drawing…
In 2020, Puregold launched the Puregold Mobile App which allowed its shoppers and members to purchase goods conveniently via a few clicks from their smartphones. As it continuously transforms for its customers, it also launched “Puregold Channel” the same year, utilizing the reach of its 2.8 million followers on Facebook and growing base on YouTube…
Unknown to many, , adding it to applications for cellular phones. Angelito Villanueva, chair and founder of FinTech Alliance.ph, executive vice president and chief innovation officer at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and chief digital transformation officer for the Yuchengco Group of Companies, said Filipinos were introduced to e-money or e-cash as early as 2001. Orlando…
Luis Macalincag already saw the great potential of dragon fruit as a viable long-term investment when he was just 23 years old. Straight out of college, he borrowed from his grandfather and invested it in his agriculture venture. Now 34, he continues to reap the benefits of his foresight and hard work through Agbeam Farm…
Gyms and fitness centers in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Rizal can now accommodate up to nearly half of their operating capacities as the government further eased business restrictions despite COVID-19 cases still increasing. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released Thursday an advisory raising gyms’ and fitness centers’ permitted capacity to 40 percent, or…