SM
SM Prime sticks to large mall tack My question is why?
30 November 2009 18:47 Business Mirror MALL operator SM Prime Holdings Inc. is not interested in venturing into smaller community-type retail centers, preferring to stick to its tried and tested strategy of building one-stop shopping destinations.
This, despite plans bared by rivals to go into community shopping centers. Two weeks ago, Ayala Land Inc., which is behind the Glorietta and Greenbelt malls in Makati and TriNoma in Quezon City, said it is setting up a new subsidiary to develop small-format “neighborhood centers” with a maximum leasable area of 10,000 square meters (sq.m.). Continue reading here http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/companies/19117-sm-prime-sticks-to-large-mall-tack.html
My comment: I hope that SM Supermarkets and convenience stores continue to expand as an example in metro Manila at the corner of Vita Cruz and Taft there are now about 5 universities and 10 or more high rise condos up to 42 floors and supermarket in sight except at less than appealing Harrison Plaza a 15 minute walk away. With prime real estate available to SM Hypermarts, Robinsons supermarkets, Metro supermarkets, South Supermarkets, Rustans Supermarkets, I think that its a opportunity waiting
SM City Cebu commend the mall’s management
From the Philippine Star Since we mentioned SM City Cebu, we’d like to commend the mall’s management for installing those lights on the parking area that helps motorists find empty slots.
The lights are green when a parking slot is empty and turn red once occupied, this spares the drivers and their passengers, who are trying to be helpful, from craning their necks to see if there’s a vacant slot. Read the complete article here http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=528292&publicationSubCategoryId=108
The lights are green when a parking slot is empty and turn red once occupied, this spares the drivers and their passengers, who are trying to be helpful, from craning their necks to see if there’s a vacant slot. Read the complete article here http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=528292&publicationSubCategoryId=108
Online Retail Thriving: 8% Growth Expected This Holiday Season but are Philippine merchants taking note?
From the NY Times In its State Of Retailing Online 2009 report, Forrester Research reported that the vast majority of Web retailers were not only profitable in 2008 - in a recession - but also that their overall level of profitability grew.
My commment; But has Philippine merchants noticed the trend and are they adapting to sell worldwide? Here is a area for growth and expansion and Filipino merchants need to take note.
The e-commerce market is expanding, due to a combination of factors.
Also brick-and-mortar businesses are migrating more of their operations online. We also have technology advances to thank: better recommendations technology, social media, the emergence of mobile commerce.
E-commerce Continues to Grow, Despite Economy
In the State Of Retailing Online 2009 report, Forrester Research reported that retailers saw their Web divisions grow by 18% in 2008. Given that Forrester described 2008 as "one of the worst years ever" in retail, that's significant growth in online retail activity.
The e-commerce market is expanding, due to a combination of factors.
Also brick-and-mortar businesses are migrating more of their operations online. We also have technology advances to thank: better recommendations technology, social media, the emergence of mobile commerce.
E-commerce Continues to Grow, Despite Economy
In the State Of Retailing Online 2009 report, Forrester Research reported that retailers saw their Web divisions grow by 18% in 2008. Given that Forrester described 2008 as "one of the worst years ever" in retail, that's significant growth in online retail activity.
Continue reading here http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2009/11/23/23readwriteweb-online-retail-thriving-8-growth-expected-th-45446.html
SM offers to buy lot from Cebu city gov’t for next big project, WOW
My comment: We welcome such a investment to make Cebu truly great!
From Business World Online Nov 24 2009 Sy-led SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has submitted an unsolicited offer to develop part of the South Road Properties in Cebu City into what would be the listed mall developer’s next big-ticket project after the SM Mall of Asia.
SM Prime President Hans T. Sy said as much as P20 billion would be spent over the next 15 years to build a shopping, entertainment, and residential complex.
“We have officially made an offer [to acquire part of] the South Road Properties [last month]. Hopefully, everything goes well and we are quite confident [about it] because it is not a joint venture [project],” Mr. Sy said in an interview.
SM Prime, the country’s largest mall developer, offered to buy 28 hectares of the 240-hectare reclaimed lot for P11,000 per square meter or almost P3 billion, which Mr. Sy said was a “high price for a provincial standard.”
The site will host the group’s second mall and some residential projects. The plan is to transform the area into a smaller version of the Mall of Asia in Pasay.
SM Prime will start development in the area as soon as the group acquires the 20-hectare portion, Mr. Sy said, adding that he hopes to secure the contract in January.
“We are looking at a 15-year development and the target is about P20 billion. It will have institutional components [like] schools as well as a residential component and a hotel and convention center on top of the shopping center,” Mr. Sy said.
The group will likely build the mall first, to be followed by the residential component five years later, he said. Should the residential project push through, this will be sister SM Development Corp.’s first venture in Cebu City and outside Metro Manila.
“That is the next big project [of SM Prime] although on top of that we also have General Santos already and we are acquiring some more [lands] in the Mindanao area. There is still a lot of opportunity,” he said.
SM Prime has one mall in the Cebu City, the largest mall in the area, the fourth-largest shopping mall in the country, and the 11th largest in the world. Contnue reading here http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=2026
Also read SM Prime open to joint venture for 240-hectare Cebu City project
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=526700&publicationSubCategoryId=66
From Business World Online Nov 24 2009 Sy-led SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has submitted an unsolicited offer to develop part of the South Road Properties in Cebu City into what would be the listed mall developer’s next big-ticket project after the SM Mall of Asia.
SM Prime President Hans T. Sy said as much as P20 billion would be spent over the next 15 years to build a shopping, entertainment, and residential complex.
“We have officially made an offer [to acquire part of] the South Road Properties [last month]. Hopefully, everything goes well and we are quite confident [about it] because it is not a joint venture [project],” Mr. Sy said in an interview.
SM Prime, the country’s largest mall developer, offered to buy 28 hectares of the 240-hectare reclaimed lot for P11,000 per square meter or almost P3 billion, which Mr. Sy said was a “high price for a provincial standard.”
The site will host the group’s second mall and some residential projects. The plan is to transform the area into a smaller version of the Mall of Asia in Pasay.
SM Prime will start development in the area as soon as the group acquires the 20-hectare portion, Mr. Sy said, adding that he hopes to secure the contract in January.
“We are looking at a 15-year development and the target is about P20 billion. It will have institutional components [like] schools as well as a residential component and a hotel and convention center on top of the shopping center,” Mr. Sy said.
The group will likely build the mall first, to be followed by the residential component five years later, he said. Should the residential project push through, this will be sister SM Development Corp.’s first venture in Cebu City and outside Metro Manila.
“That is the next big project [of SM Prime] although on top of that we also have General Santos already and we are acquiring some more [lands] in the Mindanao area. There is still a lot of opportunity,” he said.
SM Prime has one mall in the Cebu City, the largest mall in the area, the fourth-largest shopping mall in the country, and the 11th largest in the world. Contnue reading here http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=2026
Also read SM Prime open to joint venture for 240-hectare Cebu City project
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=526700&publicationSubCategoryId=66
SM sees bigger presence in China
From Business Mirror Philippines
PHILIPPINE retail giant SM plans to make a bigger presence in the huge Chinese market, said SM Prime Holdings Inc. president Hans Sy.
In an interview on Monday with reporters, Sy disclosed that SM Prime plans to put up eight malls in China within a period of five years starting this year up to 2014 as part of beefing its presence in that country. “SM Prime Holdings Inc. plans to put at least eight malls in China as part of the company’s recognition of its immense potential in retail,” said Sy during the sidelines of the SM’s Green Retail Agenda held at the SMX Convention Center.
Among the Chinese cities that will soon have SM presence are Suzhou, Chonging and Zibo. Xiamen, Jinjiang in southern China and Chengdu in central China are the cities where SM is currently operating.
Sy added that SM Prime wants to concentrate on China because of the huge volume of consumers that can be tapped for its retail products. “This is also in preparation for SM because we project that the Philippine market will be saturated in five years,” he pointed out.
“China is a significant market for SM Prime,” added Sy.
At present, Sy said the Chinese operations contribute 2 percent to 3 percent to SM Prime’s overall growth.
As far as their mall projects are concerned, Sy said SM Prime’s landbank is good for 50 malls around the country.
For 2010, Sy said SM Prime plans to have a capital expenditure of P7 billion to P10 billion.
In another development, SM Shopping Center Management Corp. (SCMC) president Anna Maria Garcia said the company is going to intensify the pursuit of its green agenda by pursuing several initiatives in and out of the organization. To make their green programs deliver a bigger impact, Garcia said former US vice president Al Gore has accepted SM’s invitation to give a speech on the environment during his visit to the Philippines on April 30.
Read the original article here http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/companies/18572-sm-sees-bigger-presence-in-china.html
PHILIPPINE retail giant SM plans to make a bigger presence in the huge Chinese market, said SM Prime Holdings Inc. president Hans Sy.
In an interview on Monday with reporters, Sy disclosed that SM Prime plans to put up eight malls in China within a period of five years starting this year up to 2014 as part of beefing its presence in that country. “SM Prime Holdings Inc. plans to put at least eight malls in China as part of the company’s recognition of its immense potential in retail,” said Sy during the sidelines of the SM’s Green Retail Agenda held at the SMX Convention Center.
Among the Chinese cities that will soon have SM presence are Suzhou, Chonging and Zibo. Xiamen, Jinjiang in southern China and Chengdu in central China are the cities where SM is currently operating.
Sy added that SM Prime wants to concentrate on China because of the huge volume of consumers that can be tapped for its retail products. “This is also in preparation for SM because we project that the Philippine market will be saturated in five years,” he pointed out.
“China is a significant market for SM Prime,” added Sy.
At present, Sy said the Chinese operations contribute 2 percent to 3 percent to SM Prime’s overall growth.
As far as their mall projects are concerned, Sy said SM Prime’s landbank is good for 50 malls around the country.
For 2010, Sy said SM Prime plans to have a capital expenditure of P7 billion to P10 billion.
In another development, SM Shopping Center Management Corp. (SCMC) president Anna Maria Garcia said the company is going to intensify the pursuit of its green agenda by pursuing several initiatives in and out of the organization. To make their green programs deliver a bigger impact, Garcia said former US vice president Al Gore has accepted SM’s invitation to give a speech on the environment during his visit to the Philippines on April 30.
Read the original article here http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/companies/18572-sm-sees-bigger-presence-in-china.html
Internet supermarket booms in bad times, Selling online a golden opportunity for Filipino business
- The Internet global supermarket is booming because people and businesses are looking for bargains and new outlets in bad times, a new report says. (My comment, Philippines has a golden opportunity for big and small businesses to embrace this technology and sell sell sell to the world. Example is the recent Pacquiao rumble where people wanted to buy tshirts, and much more and where were the Filipino merchants like Island Souvenirs online, seems they and others are missing a golden opportunity)
And the this great global shopping mall can only expand rapidly as mobile phone use explodes, the Chinese get involved and advertisers jump in, the OECD forecasts.
But the e-trade revolution is being held back by hidden frontiers, ranging from concerns over privacy of personal information, language problems, delivery costs and taxation and regulation barriers.
As the Christmas spending spree, vital to many retailers and manufacturers around the world, gets under way, the OECD also highlights other worries for consumers.
For example, Santa Claus may never turn up with the goods, or the purchases may be defective, or payment details may be stolen.
These are among the obstacles to increased cross-border trade, paradoxically even within the European Union, which the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development lists in a report on a conference under the heading: "Empowering e-consumers."
The report found that the financial crisis had breathed new life into electronic commerce, with sales rising in Europe, the United States and China at a time when the store-based retail sector struggles as consumers' disposable income shrivels.
"The financial and economic crisis appears to be giving a e-commerce a boost as consumers search for ways to reduce expenditures by purchasing items online," the OECD said, adding: "The savings can be substantial."
It cited a study showing that shoppers in Britain, Germany and France can save 17 percent by buying electronics goods, DVDs and clothing on online trading platforms rather than in physical stores.
In the United States on-line sales for 80 retailers rose an average of 11 percent in the first quarter of the year, according to another study.
One site, Craigslist, is forecast to report sales of 100 million dollars this year, a 23 percent increase from 2008. Another platform, Amazon, had net sales of 177 million dollars in the first quarter alone, up 24 percent from the first quarter 2008.
The OECD cites a study by the Forrester research group predicting that western European consumers will buy 123.1 billion euros' worth of goods online by 2014, for an average annual growth rate of 9.6 percent.
China too has experienced a jump in online retail activity. The online auction and retail website of the country's leading e-commerce company, Alibaba Group, reported a 131 percent rise in transaction volume in February compared with a year earlier.
Helping to spur electronic commerce is the growth in mobile phone use. The number of mobile phone subscribers grew at an average rate of 30 percent a year from 1993 to 2007 in the 30 industrialised economies in the OECD.
But the OECD warned that the future of e-commerce is not entirely secure, maintaining that its fate "depends for a large part on the level of confidence that consumers have in on-line shopping."
It noted that half the cross-border complaints and disputes filed with the European Consumer Center Network stemmed from purchases made over the Internet.
"Delivery problems and dissatisfaction with the products purchased were the leading reasons for the complaints, accounting for 75 percent of the total," the OECD said.
Customers voiced dissatisfaction with non-deliveries, misrepresentation by online retail sites and difficulties contacting merchants.
While the Internet may have made it easier to buy products from foreign businesses, consumers have shown themselves to be reluctant to do so, according to the OECD, which cited language barriers, higher shipping costs, regulatory barriers and scams and misleading practices as key constraints.
Last year 33 percent of EU consumers purchased products online but only 7.0 percent bought goods from another country, the report said.
While many countries have e-commerce laws and regulations, such practices risk becoming outdated given the speed at which new products and services are created.
The study found that most countries, apart from the United States, do not have specific regulations to protect the privacy of children.
It said many online retailers ask consumers to confirm their age simply by ticking a box, with no follow-up measures to ensure that the information is accurate.
Another area of growing concern for the sector, according to the OECD, is the use of behavioral techniques that track a consumer's purchasing habits in order to tailor advertising to his or her interest.
But there is little doubt about the economic impact of online advertising. A recent study cited by the OECD found that the contribution to economic activity of online advertising amounts to 300 billion dollars in the United States. The US online advertising sector directly employs more than 1.2 million people. Continue reading here http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/technology/11/16/09/internet-supermarket-booms-bad-times
SM Bacolod has joined the online community and started to blog wow!!
I found that SM Bacolod has started offering a blog to keep customers connected. I have blogged previously about the lack of information online about the SM advantage card which is so heavily used by customers and SM Bacolod has listed some of the details but nothing about the redemption of points and what you can claim for the rewards. But at least it is a start. Congratulations. All of the malls nationwide should reach out to the online world as well as I have previously commented in this blog. Read the SM Bacolod blog here
http://smcitybacolod.blogspot.com/2009/11/sm-advantage-express.html
http://smcitybacolod.blogspot.com/2009/11/sm-advantage-express.html
Presently SM websites are few and lacking details of merchants in their malls, their contact details, websites and phone numbers of the tenants especially for the Cyberzone. It is badly needed and so many are online these days and would use. And information on their SM advantage card is completely missing from all their sites and yet is part of their active promo and well known and should be detailed as to what the costs are and the awards offered.
SM collects data from customers on email addresses and cell phone numbers and should use much more actively in data bases. Getting customers to sign up for regular emails on sales and promos is very cost effective for SM and its tenants. And twitter can also be used as a tool as well as SUN customers like me to get text messages which SM is starting to use and its good as long as the customer does not get charged for the messages sent.
Why couldn't SM Department stores, Toy Kingdom or Us or SM appliances or Watsons or Ace Hardware have a online email every week for their SM Advantage or promo customers or those that enter its many promotions that SM collects names and email addresses? A valuable free tool is not being used here by most Philippine Merchants.
SM Advantage Express
- Started 2009 October 25, SMAC Members-PLDT Subscribers can earn SMAC points;
- Eligible customers must register their SM Advantage Card to PLDT rewards program before they can be awarded with points;
- Only (1) SMAC number may be registered for one (1) PLDT account number;
- There can be multiple PLDT account numbers that can be registered to one (1) SMAC number;
Registration:
Registration can be done thru the following :
- Any PLDT Office
- 171
- Filling up of Appilcation Form solicited by PLDT agents
- PLDT website: www.pldt.com.ph/telerewards
- PLDT and MCI reserves the right to validate the application and reject application found not to have complied with the requirements of the program.
SMAC Members will earn additional 50 bonus points when they register until November 15, 2009
Google launches ‘business stimulus package’ for SMEs, why can't SM do the same for its mall merchants?
Wednesday, 04 November 2009 00:00
My comment: I have often wished that SM would do the same for its many mall merchants to get them online and with a web presence and and an active online ordering system since the islands are so spread out and have good transportation services even to the far flung areas and could even reach the world with their products with the internet smart buyers these days.
Stores like Toy Kingdom, CDR King, Island Souvenirs are ideal candidates to sell online but so far haven't met the challenge.
Maybe this Google effort will encourage Malls here to think beyond the box to the world market. The world is changing, I hope we can keep up........
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Google Inc. on Tuesday launched a “business stimulus package” for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country to help them market their goods and services online better.
According to Google, any local MSME with a valid business permit can apply for the stimulus package by signing up at www.google.com.ph/stimulus starting today until December 15.
Upon signing up, participants can avail of the following: a simple company website developed by students of STI College. The first 200 applicants can get it for free, while subsequent participants would have to pay a one-time fee of P3,000 for website development; P2,000 worth of free credits to advertise on Google AdWords; and a free tutorial from STI on putting up a website and online marketing.
“It’s been tough for small and medium Philippine businesses in the last 12 to 24 months [due to the global economic slowdown]. When it’s tough—when everyone’s slowing down—it is a good time to speed up business,” Derek Callow, Google’s head of marketing for Southeast Asia, said in a briefing.
Callow said the Internet is a huge platform that can help small companies reach more customers. At present, about 25 million Filipinos use the Internet.
He said the Google package can help businesses establish a cost-effective online presence since STI will put up websites at a lower cost, while Google will promote these sites through its online advertising platform.
In addition, the MSMEs only pay when a potential sales lead clicks on their online ad.
“This initiative is going to help MSMEs increase their market audience,” Monchito Ibrahim, Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) commissioner, said.
For this project, Google partnered with CICT, Go Negosyo and STI Colleges, as well as with the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions and Philippine Marketing Association.
Google has also launched similar business stimulus packages in Singapore and Thailand, Callow said. http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/business/5252-google-launches-business-stimulus-package-for-smes
I just received this promotion in my email this morning. Are Philippine merchants/malls missing a great free advertising tool by email?
Why couldn't SM Department stores, Toy Kingdom or Us or SM appliances or Watsons or Ace Hardware have a similiar online email every week for their SM Advantage or promo customers or those that enter its many promotions that SM collects names and email addresses? A valuable free tool is not being used here by most Philippine Merchants.
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24th SM mall offers free Wi-Fi access in DAVAO
I am impressed with SM now being a leader in getting its malls internet connected. Congratulations. But I wish they would continue in this internet world too and get all their tenants listed on their website for each mall so customers could easily find a computer store, restaurant, or appliance store just by looking at their website and getting the web address and phone number and email easily. It would be good relations for SM to get all their merchants online and help them start selling online which none do now hardly and it would then match the pace of the new internet knowledgeable customer. And it would be build business as well for both SM and its client renters. And would be greatly appeciated by the customers as well! Getting online already are SM clients like SM appliance, Ace Hardware, CDR King, and Island souvenirs but sadly none has gone the extra step to sell online and its a logical move for SM stores with excellent shipping natiionwide and worldwide available!
DAVAO CITY — In a bid to attract more mall-goers, SM City Davao has turned its 79,000-square-meter structure into a "wireless fidelity" or Wi-Fi zone.
Debbie A. Go, SM regional manager for Mindanao who switched on the free Internet access service Friday night, said the company’s shopping complex in Cagayan de Oro City has also become a Wi-Fi zone.
Ms. Go said this would provide customers Internet connection whenever they are in the mall so they can surf the Web or check e-mail for work or other purposes.
"This is also good for our mall considering this would be an attraction," she said.
Jennifer D. Silan, Philcom Corp. sales and marketing head, said the wireless connection can accommodate 1,500 simultaneous users, noting that anyone can get Internet access practically anywhere inside the shopping mall.
Ms. Silan, however, said the management is studying whether to restrict connections by banning sites "not good" for customers. The Davao complex is the 24th in the SM group’s malls with wireless fidelity connections.
Joanne A. Abrogar, operations manager of Cyberzone, another unit of the SM Supermalls, said the wireless fidelity access is also part of the corporate social responsibility of the SM group.
She called on shoppers to harness Internet connection for "good use" and report those using it for "questionable purposes."
The Information and Communications Technology of Association of Davao called on other big establishments to follow the SM mall’s lead.
Erriberto P. Barriga, vice-president of the council, said the connectivity was a "milestone" and "a manifestation" that the mall is becoming the leader in pushing for the city’s development.
"This is already an advantage and we need to capitalize on this by putting it to good use," Mr. Barriga said.
DAVAO CITY — In a bid to attract more mall-goers, SM City Davao has turned its 79,000-square-meter structure into a "wireless fidelity" or Wi-Fi zone.
Debbie A. Go, SM regional manager for Mindanao who switched on the free Internet access service Friday night, said the company’s shopping complex in Cagayan de Oro City has also become a Wi-Fi zone.
Ms. Go said this would provide customers Internet connection whenever they are in the mall so they can surf the Web or check e-mail for work or other purposes.
"This is also good for our mall considering this would be an attraction," she said.
Jennifer D. Silan, Philcom Corp. sales and marketing head, said the wireless connection can accommodate 1,500 simultaneous users, noting that anyone can get Internet access practically anywhere inside the shopping mall.
Ms. Silan, however, said the management is studying whether to restrict connections by banning sites "not good" for customers. The Davao complex is the 24th in the SM group’s malls with wireless fidelity connections.
Joanne A. Abrogar, operations manager of Cyberzone, another unit of the SM Supermalls, said the wireless fidelity access is also part of the corporate social responsibility of the SM group.
She called on shoppers to harness Internet connection for "good use" and report those using it for "questionable purposes."
The Information and Communications Technology of Association of Davao called on other big establishments to follow the SM mall’s lead.
Erriberto P. Barriga, vice-president of the council, said the connectivity was a "milestone" and "a manifestation" that the mall is becoming the leader in pushing for the city’s development.
"This is already an advantage and we need to capitalize on this by putting it to good use," Mr. Barriga said.
SM
SM SEATING
