By Aira Villanueva-Vinoya, PRA
Fifty years after its founding, the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) marked its golden anniversary by opening the 32nd National Retail Conference and Expo (NRCE) on August 6 & 7, 2026—a two-day gathering that brought together retailers, suppliers, business leaders, and innovators to explore what lies ahead for the industry.
Guided by the theme “New. Next. Forward.”, the 32nd NRCE was more than a celebration of how far Philippine retail has come. It was a conversation about how the industry can continue to grow in a world shaped by technology, artificial intelligence, changing consumer behavior, and constant disruption.
Yet across two days of discussions, one message remained clear: the future of retail is still fundamentally about people.
PRA President Alice Liu set the tone on Day 1, reminding delegates that “retail has always been—and will always be—a people business.” She challenged the industry to face the future with curiosity, courage, and confidence, emphasizing that the future of retail must be shaped collectively.
That spirit of collaboration continued in the opening keynote by V.P. Sharma of MAP Group (PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk), who highlighted the importance of long-term partnerships between retailers and landlords. While technology can provide ideas and strategies, he noted, “it’s execution that wins.”
The human side of leadership was also brought to the forefront during a fireside chat featuring Bryan and Brandon Liu of Golden ABC and Jathniel and Justine Thai of Primer Group of Companies. The next-generation leaders spoke candidly about succession, trust, and the responsibility of carrying a family business forward.
“Trust us to take care of the business, so you can take care of yourself,” Bryan Liu shared—a sentiment that captured the delicate balance between generations in family enterprises.
Day 1 also highlighted the importance of government-industry collaboration, with Department of Finance Undersecretary Michael Peter A. Alejandro calling on the private sector to work alongside government toward a stronger economy and “a better future for every Filipino.”
Leadership and culture took center stage through Louie Banta’s High-Performance Leadership Blueprint, while Mybelle Aragon-GoBio, Mharica Castillo-Reyes, and Mia Egron closed the day with a discussion on cross-cultural leadership, career-defining decisions, and people-first management.
If Day 1 focused on why people remain at the heart of retail, Day 2 explored how businesses can thrive when everything around them keeps changing.
Joseph Phi, Group CEO of Li & Fung, opened the day with “Moving with the World—Thriving When Nothing Stands Still,” emphasizing adaptability, urgency, and a growth mindset. He positioned the conference theme as a journey: A New Paradigm where people are amplified by AI, a Next Wave where capabilities continue to grow, and a Way Forward built around keeping pace with change.
That message was reinforced by Dustin Lacap of McDonald’s Philippines, who emphasized that technology should be viewed not simply as an expense, but as a strategic investment.
Meanwhile, RJ Paculan and Paolo Broma of TBWA\SMP reminded businesses that transformation should begin with the problem not the technology. Their advice was practical: test, learn, and scale what works rather than attempting to transform everything at once.
The realities of disruption were explored further in a fireside chat featuring Roxanne Farillas of RAFFCO/Plains & Prints, Toby Claudio of Toby’s Sports, and Paolo Misa of PUMA Philippines, moderated by Mary Jade T. Roxas-Divinagracia of PwC Philippines. Their experiences demonstrated that successful businesses do not simply survive disruption, they learn to adapt and reinvent themselves.
The conference also turned the spotlight on Filipino excellence, with Josh Boutwood, Mark Ocampo, and Abi Marquez discussing how Filipino products and brands can compete globally through authenticity, craftsmanship, and compelling storytelling.
And amid all the conversations about technology and transformation, Fr. Johnny C. Go, SJ, EdD brought leaders back to the deeper purpose of leadership, challenging them to remain focused, present, and grounded in purpose.
The conference culminated in a memorable fireside chat between Teresita Sy-Coson, Chairperson of SM Investments Corporation, and Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls, moderated by Rico Hizon.
Drawing from decades of experience, they reflected on the evolution of Philippine retail and the enduring leadership philosophy of Henry Sy Sr. most importantly, putting the customer first.
Their conversation offered a glimpse into the principles behind one of the country’s most enduring retail stories and a reminder that longevity requires businesses to remain open to new ideas, changing consumers, and new generations.
As the 32nd NRCE came to a close, the message of the PRA’s 50th anniversary was unmistakable.
Retail will continue to change. Technology will continue to evolve. But people, purpose, collaboration, and the courage to move forward will remain at the heart of the industry.
Fifty years ago, the PRA helped give Philippine retailers a collective voice. Today, it continues to bring the industry together not simply to look back, but to prepare for what comes next.
New. Next. Forward. The journey continues.
The 32nd NRCE is made possible through the support of its valued partners and sponsors: Diamond Sponsor: SM Retail; Platinum Sponsors: ETP International PTE LTD, RELEX & Argon & Co, Globe Business, Converge Global Business, PLDT Enterprise, Salesforce; Gold Sponsors: Ayala Malls, Centric Software, Unilab, Araneta City, and Robinsons Malls; Silver Sponsors: Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Wilcon Depot, Bayer Philippines, Mercury Drug, Novaluxia Innovation; Official Partners: InnovationOne, TBWA\SMP, Avolution, The Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, BusinessWorld, The Manila Times, NegoSentro, Sponsors: CMG Retail, Ecloudvalley, Sporthouse International Leisure, Travel Club and Sterling Paper Products.
