ORGANIZERS of the ongoing Great Cebu Sale (GCS) 2020 said tourism establishments as well as food and beverage outlets were the most visited websites in the first week of the virtual event.
Camille Aldeguer, chairperson of GCS, said over 3,000 individuals visited the GCS official website at www.thegreatcebusale.com in the first week of the sale, which started on Sept. 15.
“We expect this to increase moving forward especially if more people will be aware that some of Cebu’s famous brands are offering great deals and promos this time,” she said.
She said tourism-related companies attracted the biggest number of visitors, followed by electronics, lifestyle, home essentials, and food and beverage (F&B).
“Based on the feedback we’ve received, people are eager to go out and relax. Many have, therefore, purchased overnight stay promos offered by our resorts and hotels,” Aldeguer said.
“The promos offered by our resorts, hotels and F&B establishments are our top deals,” she added.
Aldeguer said they hoped to further raise awareness on the ongoing online event.
Most of the GCS site visitors were from the Philippines, particularly from the cities of Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Quezon and Makati.
There were also visitors from the U.S., Japan, Singapore and Qatar.
Shoppers may access the GCS website and click on a merchant to access the latter’s website.
“The website does not have a payment platform. The fulfillment of the order or purchase lies directly under the responsibility of the participating company,” Aldeguer said.
Webinars
The event also features webinars throughout the sale period to guide businesses, retailers and consumers on the new normal, said GCS co-chairperson Raki Urbina, co-chairperson of the GCS.
On Sept. 28 and 29, GCS held the first part of a webinar series entitled “Rethinking our Business and Repurposing our Facilities for Survival and Sustenance #Diskarte.” The second part is scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6.
Another webinar dubbed as “Redefining and Optimizing the Essential Components of Retail in these Most Challenging Times” will be conducted on Oct. 12 and 13 while the webinar entitled “Leading by Emotional Intelligence with Stressed-out Workforce and Anxious Guests and Customers” will be held on Oct. 19 and 20.
Chester Lim, president of GCS organizer Philippine Retailers Association Cebu Chapter, said they plan to extend the conduct of webinars through the holiday season.
“Extending the webinar towards the holiday season is a good idea. In fact, the initial plan is to do a monthly sale per industry. We will just probably wait for the outcome of this one before deciding to proceed with the next sale,” Lim said.
He said a different set of offers and promos for the Christmas season would be featured for the Christmas season.
Organizers also announced they are raffling off prizes every week. Entries may be sent through the GCS page on Facebook, by joining the webinars, or by submitting proof of purchase of at least P1,000 from any of the participating merchants between Sept. 15 and Oct. 31, 2020. (PR)