DTI, retail giants partner to open Go Lokal! stores in malls

DTI, retail giants partner to open Go Lokal! stores in malls

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched its first Go Lokal! store in Robinsons mall and plans to open a similar outlet in SM.

On March 24, DTI opened in Robinsons Place Manila its initial Go Lokal! store, a public-private collaboration between the agency and local retailer partners.

Go Lokal! is a design-based concept store and market platform showcasing modern and indigenous quality products crafted, designed, and created by Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The market platform is set to revolutionize the way hard-to-find and artisanal Filipino products are sold in the local market by bringing together a specially curated lineup that includes food products, apparel, accessories, home décor, gadgets, and gift items.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that aside from providing market access for MSME products, Go Lokal! is a venue for new entrepreneurs to test the marketability of their products without fear of losing on rental and commercial costs because their Go Lokal! experience is free of charge.

“DTI is excited to open its first mainstream Go Lokal! store with Robinsons Department Store as its dynamic partner in this effort of maximizing market access and providing exposure to our MSMEs,”  said Lopez. “We look forward to opening more outlets in their malls and department stores across the country.”

“Ultimately, it’s all about accessibility and opportunity for MSMEs, both of which you need to be successful in retail. Go Lokal! is one way for DTI and Robinsons Department Store to give assurance to these business owners that they have support from both the government and the private sector so they may profit from ventures that they are passionate about,” Robinsons Department Store president and COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe said.

Go Lokal! outlet at SM Makati

Also on March 24, DTI signed an agreement with Kultura, the country’s largest retailer of homegrown products, to open a Go Lokal! store in SM Makati.

Kultura’s Go Lokal! store opens in April at the second level of SM Makati and will run throughout the year.

“Kultura and Go Lokal! are complementary avenues to help our local MSMEs gain retail foothold in the Philippine domestic market. We are pleased to open a Go Lokal! together with Kultura as a testament of our collective thrust of inclusive growth and development of our MSMEs,” said Lopez.

“Kultura has become a showcase of local artistry and craftsmanship and furthers its advocacy by partnering with the DTI for its Go Lokal Project, providing a venue for the distribution and promotion of products sourced from MSMEs,” said Ivy Frances Yap, Kultura’s senior vice president for operations.

Featured Photo from Philippine Retailers Association