Malaysian mall group impressed by SM best practices

Malaysia Shopping Malls Association, also known as Persatuan Pengurusan Kompleks (PPK Malaysia), expressed fascination over SM Supermalls’ facilities and operations during a recent visit to the country. The group’s representatives were in the country to tour local malls, including SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia and SM Aura.

While this isn’t PPK Malaysia’s first visit to the Philippines, this year’s study tour introduces a new aspect of the trip, which is to focus more on mall operations apart from design and architecture, format, retail mix, marketing and promotions.

“The tour is about learning new concepts and new ways of mall management. We also get exposed on how cultures and other malls differ when it comes to mall designs, operations and marketing,” said Vincent Chong, PPK Malaysia assistant treasurer.

Traditional and digital retail trends discussed in SM’s first Partnership Summit

SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia and Senior Vice-President for Operations Steven Tan together with panelists (second from left) Margot Torres, Executive Vice President, McDonald’s Philippines; Hiebert Dimagiba, Head of Mobile & IT Business, Samsung Philippines; Aitor Gomez Maguregui, Head of New Business Sales, Google Philippines; and Mark Gamboa, Director of Marketing, Max’s Group.

With the market’s adaptation to digital shopping, traditional retail businesses find it important to keep with the consumer’s growing needs and demands for shopping experience beyond the brick-and-mortar concept. SM Supermalls used this big idea for its first Partnership Summit titled “Bricks Click: Creating the New Marketplace” to create a venue for deeper discussion among retailers and business partners. The summit was held at the SMX Convention Center of the Mall of Asia Complex.