Monday, October 20, 2008 Global lifestyle product distributor eyes Cebu
THE promotion of Cebu as an adventure tourism destination has caught the eye of a distributor of international retail brands and lifestyle products in the country.
Jimmy Thai, president and chief executive officer of Primer Group, said they are looking at bringing ROX or Recreational Outdoor Exchange, an outdoor sports and recreation concept, in Cebu sometime next year.
Market
With visitors to Cebu embarking on adventure tour packages, Thai saw a potential market for ROX that provides gears and equipment for outdoor sports, like hiking, climbing, water sports, surfing, cycling and scuba diving, among others.
His group is currently talking with mall operators not just about ROX but also for Primer to bring more brands and new concepts in Cebu.
Growth
Apart from the regular influx of foreign tourists from Asia, Europe and the US, Thai cited Cebu’s resiliency to “gloomy” situations in the global economy as another factor for the growth of existing and future concept shops established by Primer Group in the province.
In Cebu, Primer already has eight various shops that display travel, lifestyle and outdoor gear products. Among them are
Res-Toe-Run, Bratpack, Columbia Sportswear, The North Face, Sanuk and Fitflops.
Products
The Primer Group of Companies, which started in 1985, is engaged in the distribution, retailing and licensing of consumer and industrial products in the Philippines through its affiliates.
It distributes its retail through more than 60 free-standing or company-owned stores, over 500 shops and through corporate sales nationwide.
In Cebu, Primer started with The Travel Club in Ayala Center Cebu in 1994. (NRC)
