24th NRCE highlights ‘future-proofing’ retail

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) will be staging the 24th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo (NRCE) on Aug. 10-11 with the theme “Future-Proofing Retail.”

The annual NRCE, the biggest and most important retail event in the country, is PRA’s flagship project which is aimed at providing retailers with tips and solutions on how to prepare for the fast-changing digital age.

To be held at the SM Mall of Asia, the NRCE 2017 will feature talks and panel discussions from industry experts and personalities led by Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Sen. Sonny Angara and Rustan Supercenters CEO Irwin Lee.

Topics of the conference will cover new trends in retailing, branding design, future of shopping malls, creating niche in diverse market, online retailing, fashion retailing, impact of music in the marketplace, food retailing, and engaging the millennial consumers.

Confirmed speakers and presenters include FILSCAP vice president and noted TV personality and musician Jim Paredes, Zalora CEO Paolo Campos, Google Philippines marketing manager Gabby Roxas, Springtime Design Ltd. creative and managing director Chris Dingcong, and Organization Development advisor Susan Grace Rivera. 

Two panels composed of young and upcoming retailers such as Apartment 8 president Sheira Lim, Sunnies Café finance director Eric Dee Jr., and Genki Sushi owner Eric Teng will discuss the new generation of retailers and food retail as mall anchors.

New for this year’s NRCE is the launch of the Supermarket Track dedicated to supermarkets and food retailers which will discuss modern retailing with a responsive Department of Trade.

“This year’s event aims to create a deeper understanding of modern retail as well as open more opportunities for partnerships and networking,” said NRCE 2017 overall chairman Lorenzo Formoso.

Back to back with the conference is the only focused and dedicated retail suppliers’ expo showcasing the “tools for global retailing” from over 100 exhibitors offering products and solutions for the retail industry such as retail solutions, e-commerce and m-commerce, shop fittings and store designs, digital marketing, commercial and real estate developers, web developers, non-traditional advertising, financial services, storage and distribution, HR solutions, and billboard locations among others.

The Stores Asia Expo, which is the biggest in the Philippines and is one of the longest running retail suppliers’ expo in Asia, expects to draw more than 3,000 visitors and decision makers from the retail and related industries.