10th Outstanding Filipino Retailers and Shopping Center of the Year Awards (mentions FZA)
Phil Star 2/23/2007
The annual OFR aims to encourage local homegrown retailers to adopt world-class standards by recognizing those who have successfully steered their business into globally-competitive enterprises. The award recognizes Filipino retailers who have epitomized the model of a successful retailer in terms of growth and good ethical practices.
Organized by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), the 10th OFR awards held on February 19 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel honored 14 world-class retailers bringing to 93 the total number of OFR awardees since it began in 1997.
The highlight of the evening was the 2nd PRA President's Award given to Fernando Zobel de Ayala, as "Pillar of Philippine Retail Development", for his contribution in elevating the Philippine retail industry to world-class standards through his globally acclaimed shopping centers. No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and DTI Secretary Peter Favila presented the award to Zobel.
The evening's entertainment was provided by Bench model and Southeast Asia's heartthrob Christian Bautista.
The 10th OFR winners were Toy Kingdom (Category Killer), Oxygen (Medium--Apparel), Celine (Medium -- Shoes & Bags), Tyler (Small -- Apparel), CMC and Fino (Small -- Shoes & Bags), Goldilocks (Food Retailer -- Large), Teriyaki Boy (Food Retailer -- Medium), Kids of Bayo (Most Promising Retailer), HBC (Specialty Retailer -- Large), The Travel Club (Specialty Retailer -- Medium), Gateway Mall (Shopping Center of the Year), Nepo Mall -- Dagupan (Regional Shopping Center of the Year--Northern Luzon) and WalterMart -- Plaridel Bulacan (Regional Shopping Center of the Year-Central Luzon).
HBC and Celine were elevated to this year's Hall of Fame for winning the award for two consecutive years.
To date, the search has elevated 12 retail brands / retailers to the OFR Hall of Fame -- Shoemart, Bench, Islands Souvenirs, Cinderella, Penshoppe, National Bookstore, Mercury Drug, Bayo, Video City, Folded & Hung, Celine and HBC.