By Mayan Sangil, PRA
The 2024 Outstanding Filipino Retailers (OFR) Awards Night, held last September 25 at Solaire Resort North, celebrated the industry’s most exemplary employers in the retail sector. Among the celebrated categories, the Retail Employer Award stood out, honoring companies that excel in fostering inclusive, innovative, and employee-centered workplaces.
The Retail Employer Award acknowledges businesses that prioritize their people, not only as workers but as valued contributors to the success of the organization. This year’s awardees demonstrated outstanding achievements in areas such as people development, employee engagement, workplace diversity, and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Anthem: A Champion of Employee Well-being
Anthem, a fashion retail company with 18 years in operation and 68 stores across the country, earned the Retail Employer Award in the Medium Category for its unwavering commitment to employee-centric practices. Anthem prioritizes the well-being of its workforce through comprehensive wellness programs and professional growth opportunities.
Beyond creating a supportive work environment, Anthem’s success is deeply rooted in its customer-oriented strategy. The company uses advanced analytical tools to understand and anticipate customer preferences, ensuring personalized and exceptional service. The collaborative culture at Anthem, where cross-functional teamwork and knowledge-sharing are encouraged, enhances both employee engagement and customer satisfaction.
Anthem’s dedication to responsible business practices is evident in its ethical sourcing and sustainability efforts, underscoring its commitment to both employee welfare and responsible retailing.
Golden ABC, Inc. – The Penshoppe Group: A Leader in Employee Development
Golden ABC, Inc. – The Penshoppe Group, a fashion retail giant with 38 years in the industry and 1,000 store branches, was recognized with the Retail Employer Award in the Large Category for its holistic approach to employee development and workplace innovation.
The company fosters a strong sense of community and loyalty through its robust HR support system, which includes a cloud-based HRIS system and the GEAR app—both designed to streamline employee support and communication. Golden ABC’s commitment to sustainability extends to creating eco-friendly workspaces, reflecting its dedication to environmental responsibility.
Employee development is at the heart of Golden ABC’s corporate culture, with continuous learning programs that offer employees opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth. Furthermore, the company places high importance on health and wellness, providing physical, mental, and spiritual support to its workforce. Its “Get Up” community outreach initiative highlights its strong sense of social responsibility, encouraging employees to give back to the community.
Golden ABC also has a robust employee recognition program, ensuring that individual and collective contributions are acknowledged and celebrated.
Setting New Standards in Retail Employment
The 2024 OFR Awards have once again highlighted the importance of creating a positive work environment within the retail industry. Both Anthem and Golden ABC, Inc. – The Penshoppe Group have set new standards in employee engagement, ethical business practices, and corporate social responsibility, demonstrating that people are at the heart of retail success.
Their efforts reflect the evolving nature of the Philippine retail landscape, where a focus on employee well-being, innovation, and sustainability drives both business growth and long-term success.
The PRA expresses its gratitude to the generous sponsors of the 2024 OFR Awards Night. This event was made possible through the support of Platinum Sponsor SM Retail, Gold Sponsor Robinsons Malls, and Silver Sponsors Bench and CLN. Additional thanks go to Airspeed, SM Supermalls, and Outbound Asia Inc. for their sponsorship, as well as to Avolution, the Official LED Partner. The PRA extends its appreciation to its Media Partners—Businessworld, The Manila Times, Mediablitz Group, The Philippine Star, and Philippine Daily Inquirer—for their continued support in celebrating the excellence of Filipino retailers.
