AFTER simultaneously unveiling two of its third generation stores in Manila and Cagayan de Oro, Globe Telecom is eyeing Cebu for its next location.
Globe’s head for retail transformation and management Joe Caliro said they are planning to open six third generation stores in the country and Cebu will be one of those locations. Caliro, during Globe’s Sinulog press conference last Friday, would not say where and when the Cebu store is expected to open, saying he prefers to keep the competition guessing.
He was especially glad with the way the public has received their first two stores, which opened last Dec. 15.
The third generation stores have an area of about 400 square meters, more than double the average 180 square meters of existing stores.
Transforming existing stores to have the same look and feel of the third generation stores might take over three years, which is why Caliro said they are putting up the third generation stores in critical markets.
Designed by Tim Kobe, most known for Apple and Nokia flagship stores, the third generation stores serve as a platform to introduce different lifestyles of consumers.
Aside from Globe services available, the store features different sections for entertainment, music, sports, and productivity. Caliro calls it an interactive museum with different features meant to suit different interests.
He explained that Cagayan de Oro was picked as the first outside of Metro Manila because they already required a larger space. He added that Globe users were at a high 70 percent there and that they were able to negotiate the space required of the store.
He added that the existing store was Globe’s third highest volume store.
Although he would not give any details regarding the Cebu store, he promised that it was going to be the biggest telecommunications store in Cebu and that consumers will be treated to a unique retail experience.