Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 19, 2009
In these challenging times, change is the greatest innovator and the ones most responsive to it grow and reach new heights.
This is why the Ayala Malls continuously innovate in the way they deliver the exceptional mall experience their loyal patrons deserve.
With the theme “Designing for Change,” this year’s Ayala Malls Merchant Rewards recognized and awarded merchant partners that had showed excellence and innovation in store operations, visual merchandising, and marketing.
Now on its 11th year, the Ayala Malls Merchant Rewards is a program that gives recognition to their most outstanding retailers.
“We believe that our merchants have been at the forefront in initiating change that is relevant and noteworthy in the retail scene today,” said Tony Aquino, Ayala Land President.
“This gathering is our way of showing you our appreciation for your continued support,” he added.
This year’s theme captures what the Ayala Malls have been doing for years—encouraging their merchants to open up to change and come up with new ideas that will benefit their shoppers while improving their business structure.
What’s noteworthy, this year’s Merchant Rewards program focuses on partner merchants who have consistently and genuinely upheld the best practices in environmental sustainability.
“Our advocacy for sustainable development has been more aggressive in the past year. This is reflected in the green roof of Greenbelt 5, the ponds and lagoons which are catch basins to recycle rainwater and our “Waste Market” and “Recyclables Fair”.
Aside from the usual awards, The Green Merchant Award was created and awarded for the very first time this year to recognize efforts of sustainable practices in waste management, energy and water conservation, and outreach and education among merchant partners.
“This really an apt theme for us. We are all innovators. In these challenging times, there is a need to keep an eye on future trends so that we can apply these in our own businesses,” said Rowena Tomeldan, Ayala Malls Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Not only was a new category created, two more Ayala Malls joined the awards program for the first time as well.
This year, TriNoma in Quezon City , and Serendra and Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City completed the rich mix of seven Ayala Malls found across the country that include Glorietta and Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, and Market! Market!.
The 11th Ayala Malls Merchant Rewards was celebrated by holding the 5th Merchant Forum last May 12-13 at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila and the prestigious Awards Night held in The Gallery in Greenbelt 5 on May 13.
The two-day Merchant Forum saw a line of experts in various fields who talked about the changing world of retail, global trends in advertising, and the best green practices in retail, among many others.
“It is in recognition of your support and commitment that we continue to bring the Merchant Rewards Program every year. We thank you all for your creativity, dynamism and commitment,” said Marivic Añonuevo, senior vice president and Ayala Malls Group Head, in her closing remarks.
For Ayala Malls, upholding the standards of retail excellence it has built over the years while becoming genuine stewards of protecting the environment is a continuing endeavour.
“The future is exciting and we have so much to look forward to with these developments and endeavors underway”, Aquino said.
Together, the Ayala Malls promise to evolve with their partner merchants. As one progresses , so does the other.