Wilcon Depot SEVP to talk about winning over adversities at Retail Asia Forum

Rosemarie B. Ong to share insights on navigating retail challenges and the future of the Philippine retail sector.

High anticipation for the upcoming Retail Asia Forum 2023 is reaching its peak as organizers reveal the headliners of the event on 5 October at the Shangri-La Manila.

Among them is Rosemarie B. Ong, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of Wilcon Depot Inc., who brings with her 40 years of experience from the Philippines’ leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer.

“I’m thrilled to provide an overview of what the retail landscape in the Philippines is currently,” said Ong in an interview with Retail Asia magazine a few days before the event. Ong is poised to provide crucial insights into the industry’s landscape, particularly in light of recent global challenges.

The Wilcon executive stressed the significance of shared global experiences, aiming to discuss retail sector drivers, impending challenges, consumer behavior, and best practices implemented by her company in navigating the crisis.

“Wilcon really navigated it to be able to try and survive. And now that we're bouncing back from the effects of the global outbreak, we are even further making ourselves future-proof and future-ready,” she said.

As digital transformation accelerated in recent years, Ong underscored its transformation from a testing ground to a new way of life, a change the retail industry, among others, had to swiftly embrace to maintain operations and customer service.

This rapid shift highlighted the importance of adaptability and resilience in facing unprecedented disruptions. Despite the Philippines ranking among the countries with the highest inflation rates, Ong emphasized the necessity of confronting these challenges head-on, a vital message she plans to share with forum attendees.

“I guess that’s one big takeaway that I should share with the attendees. In the face of this unprecedented disruption caused by the pandemic, our Wilcon Depot emerged resilient,” Ong mentioned. She referred to their success as winning in the pandemic, having weathered, innovated, and navigated through these tumultuous times, emerging even stronger. The company’s unwavering commitment to its customers and forward-thinking approach were crucial factors in this resilience.

Ong expressed eagerness in aspiring to empower attendees to navigate these challenges, explore new ideas, and confidently make impactful decisions amidst ongoing transformations.

“Change can be seen as a doorway to innovation. It is open to these challenging times or challenging periods. As retailers, we discover new perspectives in life that could shape our views and our understanding about ourselves and the world around us, making us even more future ready and future proof,” Ong told Retail Asia.

Drawing from the steadfast leadership in retail operations across over 80 branches of Wilcon Depot in the Philippines, Ong’s contribution to the forum is undoubtedly invaluable.

As she embarks on sharing her wisdom and expertise at the Retail Asia Forum, attendees can look forward to gaining a comprehensive understanding of the retail industry's current scenario, emerging trends, and practical strategies for ensuring business resilience and growth in the post-pandemic world.

To join industry leaders at the Retail Asia Forum Manila, sign up at retailasia.com.