Robinsons Department Store, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has opened today the first Go Lokal! store in Robinsons Place Manila.
Designed as an incubation, marketing, and branding platform for the best of Philippine MSMEs products including next generation One Town One Product (OTOP) offerings, Go Lokal is a concept store that showcases modern and indigenous quality products crafted, designed and created by local micro, small and medium enterprises of MSMEs. It aims to revolutionize the way hard-to-find and artisanal Filipino products are sold in the local market.
Thpogram is a collaboration between the government and the private sector brings together a specially-curated line-up that includes food, apparel, accessories, home décor, gadgets and gift items.
Robinsons Department Store, an affiliate of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., is the first mainstream outlet to launch Go Lokal!
According to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, the department is more than excited to open its first mainstream Go Lokal store.
“Go Lokal! is truly a vibrant model for MSME development and inclusive business. We are happy that committed partners like Robinsons have taken on this challenge. We look forward to opening more outlets in their malls and department stores across the country,” says Secretary Lopez, pointing out that partnering with Robinsons Department Store is a good move because it allows Go Lokal’s vendors to maximize market access and capitalize on the exposure provided by the retail giant.
Robinsons Department Store can be found in consumer-frequented locations as a mainstream distribution channel for world-class Filipino products while offering value for money for targeted consumers and tourists, he notes.
Robina Gokongwei-Pe, President and COO of Robinsons Department Store, also noted the program will benefit MSMEs because it’s a mainstream platform that brings them closer to a more diverse market and creates positive effects to the economy by encouraging entrepreneurship.
“This partnership with DTI is Robinsons Department Store’s contribution to nation-building by providing our entrepreneurs an environment where they can be passionate about their businesses and prosper from their efforts, as we create opportunities for MSMEs to grow, succeed and make an impact to the retail industry,” said Gokongwei-Pe.
Johnson Go, General Manager of Robinsons Department Store, said that Go Lokal! is Robinsons Department Store’s way of supporting Filipino entrepreneurs into their initial foray into more mainstream markets by making them more accessible to both local and foreign consumers. “The diverse product line of Go Lokal! brings together the best products that the Philippines has to offer which are world-class locally-made quality products by our MSMEs,” said Go.
The DTI Secretary also said that aside from providing market access for MSME products, the Go Lokal! program is a platform for new entrepreneurs to test the marketability of their products without the fear of losing rental and commercial costs because their experience is free of charge.
Portion of Go Lokal! revenues will go to the various corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects of Robinsons Department Store including the government’s drug rehabilitation program.