17th Asia Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition

Have you been meaning to get your hands on Uniqlo’s AIRism clothing or that fancy H&M sweater? Were you among those who lined up during the opening of Forever 21? These are just some of the foreign brands that have entered the Philippine market in the past five years. With Asia’s preference for Western brands and being dubbed as the fastest growing economic region in the world, it has been the target of global companies for business opportunities and expansion. This is the reason why the 17thAsia Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition (APRCE) was a big hit when it launched its second run in the Philippines last October 28 to 30 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay.

APRCE—the biggest and longest-running retail convention and exhibition—was a smash hit for both the visitors and exhibitors. From end to end, the hall was filled with booths of companies from around the world. Among those present were Filipino brands like Penshoppe and Bench. Aside from the exhibition, a convention for those who wanted to learn more about the retail industry was also held. Attendees had the special treat of hearing the experiences and advices of CEOs and managers who run these successful retail companies. Among those present were Steven Goh (Chairman of Retail Asia Publishing–Singapore), Dennis Flores (International Operations Vice President of Jollibee Foods Corporation), and Katsumi Kubota (COO of Uniqlo).

APRCE did not let its attendees go home empty handed; from the fresh ideas and insights of the industry leaders, the visitors left equipped with valuable knowledge that could assist them in expanding their reach to other countries. Expanding internationally would bring in numerous challenges, with language barrier being one of them, but these obstacles should not be the reason to stop aiming high. When these problems arise, Lexcode is always here to help bridge the differences.