Rustan's group brings Old Navy to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - After Gap and Banana Republic, it's now Old Navy's turn to open in the Philippines.

The Rustan's group's Stores Specialists Inc. said the first Old Navy store in the Philippines will open at Bonifacio High Street on March 22. SSI is Old Navy's first franchisee.

Another Old Navy store will open in Glorietta 3 on March 29.

Old Navy offers men’s, women’s, kid’s and baby apparel and accessories.

SSI is already the partner of Gap Inc. for its Gap and Banana Republic brands in the country.

Anthony Huang, executive vice president of SSI, said Old Navy promises to deliver a "fun" shopping experience for the family.

"We are proud to announce our partnership with Old Navy and very excited about the brand's arrival in the Philippines and look forward to having the opportunity for future expansion," he said.

"We are very pleased to have our first franchise stores open in Manila... Bringing our American fashion essentials that are accessible to every family is something we are proud to offer the people of the Philippines," said Robert Frank, executive vice president, Old Navy, International.

Old Navy had announced its expansion in the Philippines last September 2013.

The Tantoco-led SSI is a wholly Filipino-owned corporation that has brought some of the biggest global brands to the Philippines such as Gucci, Cartier, Lacoste, Burberry, Marks & Spencer, Prada, Zara, The Gap, Banana Republic and Marc Jacobs.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Old Navy to open in PH next year

MANILA, Philippines - US retail giant Gap Inc. announced it is opening its first franchise-operated Old Navy stores in the Philippines next year.

Gap is once again partnering with Store Specialists Inc., which already brough The Gap and Banana Republic brands to the Philippines.

The first two Old Navy stores in the country are slated to open in early 2014, with more expected to open later in the year.

"With a steadily growing retail market, the Philippines represents a great opportunity for Old Navy and an important step in the brand’s international expansion... Consumers have a great interest in the iconic American brand Old Navy, and we look forward to making current American fashion essentials accessible for every family," said Sonia Syngal, Senior Vice President of Old Navy International.

This year, Gap announced plans to start franchising Old Navy stores internationally, as it hopes to increase its share of the global retail apparel market.

"We’re thrilled to be the first franchisee for Old Navy and help introduce one of the largest apparel brands to consumers in the Philippines... As the country’s retail market continues to grow, we look forward to sharing our local expertise with Gap Inc. to help the company grow its presence,"said Anthony Huang, Executive Vice President, Stores Specialists, Inc.

Old Navy offers affordable men’s, women’s, kid’s and baby apparel and accessories. It currently operates over 1,000 stores in the U.S., Canada and Japan. The company is planning to open stores in China in the first half of 2014.

The Tantoco-led SSI is a wholly Filipino-owned corporation that has brought some of the biggest global brands to the Philippines such as Gucci, Cartier, Lacoste, Burberry, Marks & Spencer, Prada, Zara, The Gap, Banana Republic and Marc Jacobs.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com