By BM Miranda, PRA
TOKYO, Japan — The Philippines showcased its retail leadership, marketing excellence, and commitment to regional cooperation at the 22nd Asia-Pacific Retailers Convention & Exhibition (APRCE), held on October 7–10, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.
Organized by the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Associations (FAPRA) and the Japan Retailers Association (JRA), the gathering carried the theme “The Future of Retail: Innovation Meets Tradition.” It brought together retail leaders, industry associations, and business partners from across the Asia-Pacific to exchange insights on the industry’s future.
The event received support from Japanese government agencies and business and tourism organizations, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Tokyo Metropolitan Government; Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau.
An active member of FAPRA through the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), the Philippines continued its participation in regional dialogue, knowledge sharing, and industry cooperation. PRA officers who attended included Chairman Roberto S. Claudio, Sr., Vice Chairman Lorenzo C. Formoso, and Vice Chairman Atty. Paul Angelo A. Santos.
A highlight of Philippine participation was the speaking engagement of Mr. Bryan Liu, Vice President for Strategy and Operations of GOLDEN ABC, Inc., who delivered “Retail as a Platform for Purpose: Filipino Retailers Scaling with Global Discipline and Social Impact.” His presentation brought a Filipino business perspective to the regional conversation on purposeful growth and retail’s contribution to society.
Chairman Roberto Claudio delivered the Philippine country report, contributing the country’s retail perspective to the Country and Regional Reports session. The session provided a platform for member associations to exchange experiences and deepen their understanding of retail developments across the region.
Philippine achievements also earned recognition at the FAPRA Awards. OXGN received the Country Award for Best in Marketing Campaign, highlighting the creativity and marketing capability of Filipino retail brands.
In a tribute to dedicated industry service, the late Evelyn Salire was posthumously conferred the FAPRA Long Service and Contribution Award, honoring her years of service and contributions to the Federation.
The accompanying RETAIL EXPO Tokyo 2026 featured major retail and distribution companies, including Nitori Holdings, AEON, Seven & i Holdings, Mitsui & Co., Tokyu Corporation, Daiso Industries, Pan Pacific International Holdings, and Mitsubishi Shokuhin of the Mitsubishi Corporation Group.
Technology and business solutions exhibitors included Fujitsu, Microsoft Japan, Toshiba Tec, NCR Commerce Japan, TERAOKA SEIKO, BIPROGY, and SOLUM. Their showcases offered delegates opportunities to explore solutions for store operations, customer engagement, and business transformation. Corporate support included MUFG Bank, with Fujitsu and Seven & i Holdings also supporting the gathering.
Through its leadership presence, conference contributions, and award recognitions, the Philippines reaffirmed its active role in the Asia-Pacific retail community—bringing Filipino enterprise and expertise to the regional stage while strengthening relationships with industry counterparts.
