By Aira Villanueva-Vinoya, PRA
There is a particular kind of pressure that comes with inheriting a legacy. For the next generation of leaders behind some of the Philippines’ most established retail companies, success isn’t measured by creating something entirely new—it’s about moving a business forward without losing the values that made it last.
That tension defines this year’s 32nd National Retail Conference and Expo (NRCE) theme, “New. Next. Forward.” More than a conference theme, it captures a pivotal moment for Philippine retail as a new wave of leaders begins shaping the industry’s future.
For Jemimah Thai of Primer Group of Companies, that transition is already underway. Having attended NRCE through the years, she has witnessed more young leaders stepping into the conversation. While Primer Group continues to embrace e-commerce, automation, and AI, she believes technology is only part of the equation. Hard work, perseverance, and strong customer relationships remain the foundation of lasting success. She also sees Gen Z not as a workforce to manage cautiously, but as a generation whose ideas can help businesses evolve.
Her brother, Jathniel Thai, is helping prepare Primer Group for long-term growth by strengthening the company’s operational backbone. Through improved governance, compliance, and regional alignment, he is building systems that can support expansion without compromising the brand’s identity. Looking ahead, he believes consumers will increasingly gravitate toward authentic local and Asian brands that offer meaningful experiences, and that adaptability, speed, and clear communication will continue to separate successful businesses from the rest.
At Penshoppe, Brandon Liu is reimagining what a retail brand can be. Under his leadership, the company has expanded beyond fashion into activewear, beauty, and food, reflecting a broader shift toward lifestyle-driven retail. For him, the industry’s future belongs to brands willing to experiment, evolve, and respond quickly to changing consumer behavior. As he puts it, retail has become “more like a playground”—one filled with opportunities to innovate.
For Bryan Liu, Vice President for Strategy & Operations at GOLDEN ABC, preparing the next generation of leaders is just as important as growing the business itself. Following the company’s 40th anniversary, he helped unite teams around a shared vision that has driven stronger performance across its brands. His leadership philosophy is simple yet powerful: leadership is less about giving directions and more about asking the right questions and trusting people to do their best work.
Together, these young executives represent more than the future of Philippine retail—they embody its evolution. They understand that innovation does not replace legacy, it strengthens it. As they take the torch from the generation before them, they are proving that the future belongs not to those who abandon tradition, but to those who have the courage to build upon it and move it forward.
They will take the stage at the 32nd NRCE on August 6, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Manila. It is an exciting moment for Philippine retail as the next generation steps into the spotlight—not just as successors, but as the leaders shaping the industry’s future.
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.
