'Mini economies': Pandemic tests the Philippines' mighty malls (2024)

'Mini economies': Pandemic tests the Philippines' mighty malls (1)

Philippine malls have gone from centers of daily life to all but deserted amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Kimberly Dela Cruz)

Business Spotlight

Retailers and consumers go digital in blow for major developers

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writer | Philippines

MANILA -- When one of the world's longest Christmas celebrations kicks off in the Philippines, its shopping malls are among the first to greet the season. Vast emporiums are spruced up with garlands, bells and candy canes as early as September, while big sales fire up the country's massive consumer sector.

But this year, instead of being greeted by Santa Claus-costumed staff, shoppers face thermal scanners and bottles of hand sanitizer. Promotional placards hang side-by-side with reminders to wear face masks and face shields and maintain a safe distance from others to avoid catching the coronavirus.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more

'Mini economies': Pandemic tests the Philippines' mighty malls (2024)

FAQs

Why do Filipinos go to malls? ›

In the Philippines, malls are all-in-one destinations that provide more than shopping — they are also centers for dining and entertainment, as well as accessing utility and government services.

How is the Philippines economy during pandemic? ›

The Philippines is well on its way to full recovery. After the pandemic-driven recession in 2020, the economy grew by 5.7 percent last year and sustained its robust momentum with an 8.3 percent growth in the first quarter of 2022.

What are the economic benefits of shopping malls? ›

Shopping Centers provide jobs and generate economic growth

Additionally, it can also provide opportunities for small businesses and local vendors to sell their goods and services, leading to community and economic development.

How does Covid-19 affect the economy of the Philippines? ›

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought about undeniable adverse impacts to all sectors of the Philippine economy, with the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) reporting that there are currently 3.5 million unemployed Filipinos and estimating the unemployment rate at 7.4% (2021).

Why are foreigners attracted to the Philippines? ›

Warm Climate. For foreigners who prefer warmer climates, the Philippines is the perfect place to live in. That's why many tourists travel to this country to enjoy the weather. Being a tropical country, it only consists of two seasons: dry and wet.

Who owns the biggest mall in the Philippines? ›

SM Prime Holdings

What is the biggest economic problem in the Philippines? ›

Poverty and inequality in the Philippines remains a challenge. In the past 4 decades, the proportion of households living below the official poverty line has declined slowly and unevenly.

What are the 5 economic problems in the Philippines? ›

Among the issues that they address are food insecurity, hunger and poor nutrition, poor quality of education, land and housing insecurity, and poor sanitation.

How is the Philippine economy today 2022? ›

MANILA, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The Philippine economy ended 2022 with the fastest growth in over four decades underpinned by a robust final quarter, but analysts and policymakers warn that a global slowdown and soaring inflation will make for a difficult year ahead.

What is weakness of a mall? ›

Among its weaknesses: Traffic congestion, insufficient access to public transportation, an aging population and a lack of pedestrian-friendly access ways. Those were among the comments presented Thursday night to Stantec Urban Places Group, the firm hired to develop a master plan for the mall area.

What can malls do to attract customers? ›

5 Ways to Boost Shopping Mall Foot Traffic
  • Turn your mall into an entertainment hub. You need an incentive to attract customers into your mall and to spend time there. ...
  • Hold community events. ...
  • Wi-Fi hot spots. ...
  • Rent space to unconventional tenants. ...
  • Mixed-use malls. ...
  • Measure mall traffic.
Jan 23, 2023

How can malls be more sustainable? ›

Shopping malls can incorporate sustainable design elements into their buildings and facilities. This can include utilizing passive cooling techniques such as natural ventilation, locally sourced building materials like wood from sustainably managed forests, or recycled steel beams from local scrap yards.

What can you say about the Philippine economy today? ›

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (14 December 2022) — The Philippine economy is forecast to grow faster than previously expected in 2022 supported by stronger-than-expected domestic demand spurred by rising employment and a recovery in tourism after the country lifted COVID-19 mobility restrictions, according to a report released ...

What is the current status of the Philippine economy? ›

Weighed down by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine economy is forecast to grow at 4.7 percent this year before accelerating to 5.9 percent in 2022 and 6.0 percent in 2023. Local governments have played a crucial role at the front lines of the COVID crisis.

What causes inflation in the Philippines 2022? ›

The higher inflation in December 2022 than in November 2022 was primarily brought about by the faster year-on-year growth rate in the index of food and non-alcoholic beverages of 10.2 percent, from 10.0 percent in November 2022.

Why the U.S. want the Philippines? ›

Americans who advocated annexation evinced a variety of motivations: desire for commercial opportunities in Asia, concern that the Filipinos were incapable of self-rule, and fear that if the United States did not take control of the islands, another power (such as Germany or Japan) might do so.

Can Americans retire in the Philippines? ›

You are free to apply for a Philippines retirement visa through the SRRV program if: You are at least 35 years old and make a deposit of at least $50,000 in a bank account in the Philippines; or. You are at least 50 years old and have a pension.

How do Filipinos treat foreigners? ›

As a matter of fact, Filipinos would usually greet their visitors with the phrase “Feel at home!” to ensure that they are at ease during their stay. For Filipinos, it is a pleasure and the country's honor to accept foreigners as visitors and build genuine relationships and friendship with them.

What is the most luxurious mall in the Philippines? ›

The Ayala Circuit Mall in Makati, Metro Manila is one of the most famous premium malls in the country.

Which is the No 1 mall in Asia? ›

List of largest shopping malls in South Asia
RankNameSize (Total area)
1Jamuna Future Park4,100,000 square feet (380,000 m2)
2Lucky One Mall3,400,000 square feet (320,000 m2)
3(tie)Emporium Mall2,700,000 square feet (250,000 m2)
4(tie)Sarath City Capital Mall2,700,000 square feet (250,000 m2)
6 more rows

What is the biggest mall in America? ›

The largest mall in the United States, the Mall of America is located in Bloomington, Minnesota only 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Open since 1992, the Mall of America is one of the most visited attractions in the world with millions of visitors per year.

What is the most serious problem in the Philippines? ›

1. Air Pollution. Over the course of the year, air pollution has become particularly problematic in the Philippines.

What are the weaknesses of the Philippine economy? ›

The country's poor infrastructure, its weak institutions, high level of corruption and lack of innovation need to be addressed. Moreover, labor market rigidities, and overregulation will hamper the revival of the country's industrial sector.

What are the 5 issues in the Philippines? ›

Poverty, lack of education, drug or substance abuse, vice, crime and unemployment are among the many problems that continue to batter them.

What is the main source of income in the Philippines? ›

Industry and Trade. Services, industry, and agriculture are the main sectors of the Philippine economy. Food processing, cement, iron, and steel production, and telecommunications are among the country's most significant contributors.

Is Philippines a poor country 2022? ›

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said that the Philippines is on track to go from its current low-middle-income country status to upper-middle income status by the end of 2022. NEDA chief Karl Kendrick Chua explained it to mean “living without poverty and having equal opportunities to succeed”.

What are the weaknesses of the Philippines? ›

WEAKNESSES
  • Inadequate infrastructure levels, low fiscal revenues (14% of GDP)
  • Governance shortcomings and high corruption perception.
  • High levels of income inequality, underemployment leading to expatriation.
  • Terrorism in the South of the country.
  • Strict bank secrecy and casinos that facilitate money laundering.

Is the Philippines economically stable? ›

The Philippines' economic freedom score is 61.1, making its economy the 80th freest in the 2022 Index. The Philippines is ranked 15th among 39 countries in the Asia–Pacific region, and its overall score is above the regional and world averages.

When did the Philippines have the best economy? ›

Between 1972 and 1979, the Philippines enjoyed its best economic development since 1945.

What is the current issue in the Philippines? ›

Among these are the continued “harassment, threats, arrests, attacks, red-tagging against civil society actors, as well as the continued drug related killings by police.” The report also noted that “access to justice for victims of human rights violations and abuses remained very limited.”

What are top 3 weaknesses? ›

Here are some weaknesses that you might select from for your response: Self-critical. Insecure. Disorganized.

What are your 5 key weaknesses? ›

Examples of Weaknesses.
  • Self-criticism.
  • Shyness.
  • Lack of knowledge of particular software.
  • Public speaking.
  • Taking criticism.
  • Lack of experience.
  • Inability to delegate.
  • Lack of confidence.

What are 3 examples of weaknesses? ›

Examples of weaknesses on the job
  • Inexperience with specific software or a non-essential skill.
  • Tendency to take on too much responsibility.
  • Nervousness about public speaking.
  • Hesitancy about delegating tasks.
  • Discomfort taking big risks.
  • Impatience with bureaucracies.
Jan 9, 2023

What are the challenges faced by shopping malls? ›

Many shopping centers today are challenged by a fluctuating visitor count and a decrease in tenant turnover. These challenges have grave consequences, resulting in shops and even entire shopping malls closing down, all over the world.

What are 4 ways to attract customers? ›

10 Ways to Get New Customers
  • Ask for referrals. ...
  • Network. ...
  • Offer discounts and incentives for new customers only. ...
  • Re-contact old customers. ...
  • Improve your website. ...
  • Partner with complementary businesses. ...
  • Promote your expertise. ...
  • Use online reviews to your advantage.
Apr 6, 2017

What are the factors affecting the success of malls? ›

There are six factors that affect a mall's success: comfort, diversity, luxury, mall essence, entertainment and convenience. These factors match up well with the criteria we at tvsdesign use when identifying needed renovations for malls that are beginning to show their age.

Why are malls becoming obsolete? ›

It's no secret that online shopping is becoming increasingly popular, and this is definitely one of the key reasons why shopping malls are dying. More and more people are opting to do their shopping from the comfort of their own homes, and with such a wide range of products available online, it's not hard to see why.

What caused the decline of malls? ›

The cause of death was variously chalked up to the growth of e-commerce, the demise of the department store, and the fact that our country has been overmalled since the 1990s, when developers saturated the suburbs, building new shopping meccas just miles from old ones.

Are malls becoming outdated? ›

It's unlikely that shopping malls will become obsolete. While the rise of online shopping has had an impact on mall traffic, malls are still popular places to shop, and many people enjoy the experience of going to the mall.

Why is the Philippines economy improving? ›

Strong growth in early 2022

The easing of domestic COVID-19 restrictions allowed the rebound of household consumption spending, which helped to drive strong economic growth. Household consumption expenditure grew by 10.1% y/y in the first quarter of 2022, while gross capital formation rose by 20% y/y.

What rank is the Philippines economy 2022? ›

Overall Rank. Scoring 61.1 in the 2022 Index of Economic Freedom (IEF), the Philippines ranked 80th, down eight notches from 73rd and also a three-point drop from its 64.1 score in 2021.

Why is inflation high in Philippines? ›

MANILA -- Inflation in the Philippines accelerated to a new 14-year high of 8.7% in January, driven by rising utility, housing and food costs.

What rank is the Philippines in the world? ›

This land area is approximately 74% of the area of California. The Philippines are thus the 21st biggest country in Asia and in terms of area ranked 73rd worldwide. Only slightly less than half of all residents (48%) live within cities.

What is the rank of Philippines in poverty? ›

Philippines poverty rate for 2018 was 53.40%, a 6.7% decline from 2015.
...
Philippines Poverty Rate 2000-2023.
Similar Country Ranking
Country Name% Under US $5.50 Per Day
Indonesia62.80%
Georgia53.90%
Philippines53.40%
13 more rows

Why is food expensive in Philippines? ›

The Philippines is also a net importer of oil, which is heavily used in the agriculture sector – by fishermen for their boats, and farmers for their tractors. The prices of these farm inputs have been skyrocketing due to the Russia-Ukraine war and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is there a shortage of food supply in the Philippines? ›

In the Philippines, FAO found that from 2019 to 2021, 5.3 million Filipinos were severely food insecure, while 48 million more experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. The FAO report also noted that between 2019 to 2021, 5.7 million Filipinos were undernourished.

Who controls inflation in the Philippines? ›

Inflation targeting is the BSP's way of conducting monetary policy to achieve its primary objective of price stability. The BSP adopted the inflation targeting framework in January 2002.

Are malls popular in the Philippines? ›

With some 153 malls dotting its famous skyline, Manila's transformation from cultural hub to concrete jungle has earned it the notorious moniker as 'Asia's Shopping Capital'.

Why do Filipinos prefer online shopping? ›

According to a survey on online shopping behavior conducted by Rakuten Insight in June 2022, 54 percent of respondents in the Philippines stated that they would continue shopping online because it was much more convenient than going to a physical store.

What is the importance of mall of Asia in the Philippines? ›

With four hectares of floor area and 8,000 parking spaces, SM Mall of Asia is no ordinary mall. Besides branded shops and restaurants, it offers hosts entertainment features for leisure and educational purposes – it had the first ever IMAX theater in Philippines.

Why do people come to the mall? ›

... Shopping malls are visited by customers not only to search for a product or service, but they also view these visits as a form of entertainment activity that provides fun from the shopping experience. This is (Makgopa, 2016) .

What is the number 1 industry in the Philippines? ›

BPO, IT, and Business Services

The Philippines' top economic contributors in the past ten years included the IT, BPO, and business services sectors.

What is the biggest market in the Philippines? ›

Quinta Market (Filipino: Pamilihang Bayan ng Quinta; Spanish: Mercado de la Quinta), also known as Quiapo Market and officially called the Quinta Market and Fishport since 2017, is a palengke (public market) on Carlos Palanca (formerly Echague) Street in Quiapo, Manila, in the Philippines, along the banks of the Pasig ...

What is the most beautiful mall in the Philippines? ›

  1. Greenbelt Mall. 1,702. Shopping Malls. ...
  2. Ayala Center Cebu. 1,815. Shopping Malls. ...
  3. Mall of Asia Arena. 758. Arenas & Stadiums • Shopping Malls. ...
  4. Robinsons Place Mall. 1,015. Shopping Malls. ...
  5. Greenhills Shopping Center. 546. Shopping Malls. ...
  6. SM Megamall. 490. Shopping Malls. ...
  7. Venice Grand Canal Mall. 402. Shopping Malls. ...
  8. SM City Clark. 481.

What do Filipinos buy most online? ›

What are Filipino online shoppers buying? iPrice reported that fashion was one of the most bought consumer goods categories online in the Philippines in 2020. Children's and baby clothing along with men's and women's underwear still saw steady demand in 2020.

What social media do Filipinos use the most? ›

Facebook
  • Facebook is the top social media platform in the Philippines.
  • 96.2% of Philippine internet users aged 16 to 64 are using it monthly.
  • 48.7% said that Facebook is their favourite social media platform among the most popular social media platforms in the Philippines.
Dec 19, 2022

What causes most Filipinos to buy products? ›

Filipino consumers behave in a certain manner when it comes to purchasing products in the market. The top reasons that influence the purchases of Filipino consumers include brand loyalty, media exposure, and the value of money.

Does Philippines have the biggest mall in Asia? ›

5. The SM Mall of Asia, Philippines - 6,349,530 ft2 (589,891 m2) The SM Mall of Asia is one of the top destinations for locals and tourists. It is located in Manila and is the fifth-largest mall in all of Asia.

Is Mall of Asia one of the biggest mall in the world? ›

The area attracts a daily average foot traffic of about 200,000 people. The mall is currently the largest shopping mall in the Philippines and the third in the world.

Why do old people hang out in malls? ›

They have pointed out that the socio-economic-status (SES) and health condition are the main reasons of using shopping mall as a leisure place for senior adults (Fowler, 1988). One of the leisure activities among old adults is congregate in public setting such as shopping centers or public parks.

Is it okay to approach a girl at the mall? ›

The mall is a great place to meet girls because it's filled with girls enjoying their free time. However, It can be hard sometimes to approach a stranger and end up getting her number. By looking your best and learning to approach a girl, you will be able to seal the deal and pick up a girl at the mall.

Why do I get anxiety in malls? ›

For example, you can experience dizziness walking around the mall because your brain is trying to deal with stimuli, bright lights, arrays of products everywhere, and other people's movements. That can produce dizziness as a side effect, making you feel anxious and uncomfortable in a large space.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Domingo Moore

Last Updated:

Views: 6646

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Domingo Moore

Birthday: 1997-05-20

Address: 6485 Kohler Route, Antonioton, VT 77375-0299

Phone: +3213869077934

Job: Sales Analyst

Hobby: Kayaking, Roller skating, Cabaret, Rugby, Homebrewing, Creative writing, amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.