Anton Tantoco Huang opens up about the future of luxury retail and hospitality

What challenges do you see now in your respective industry? How do you intend to help address these challenges?

ATH: It’s quite interesting to see how the business landscape continues to evolve, more so now post-pandemic. Albeit the realities of the weakening peso and the rise of inflation, what is fascinating about this challenging time is how the economic climate still evokes a positive spirit. Our industry, the retail sector, continues to thrive despite the arduous experience the pandemic has made us go through. Shopping habits have drastically changed, putting us in a position to again be flexible to these changes. Filipinos are discerning more than ever before, most especially the youth of today who are able to access information about brands they want, and products that fit their personality and lifestyle. There is value in experience and satisfaction. Carrying the latest collection is not enough—we now have to make the Filipino shopper savour each moment of the shopping journey.

The democratisation of the digital economy has also hastened digital transformation across all business sectors. In our organisation alone, all departments and support units had to embrace this shift, and it has been quite interesting to see how we are all adapting to today’s digital reality. Creativity and resourcefulness were at play in all aspects of our business operations—from activating a digital concierge service, The Specialist, to even launching a multi-brand e-commerce site, Trunc.ph, in our case at the height of the pandemic. Retailers had to do what they had to do. We, at the SSI Group, had to remain resilient and flexible throughout the years by accepting the evolution of retail and finding ways to adapt—whether it be through new technologies that provide convenience for the shopper, new systems that allow more seamless customer transactions, new data platforms that allow us to know our customers better, and more importantly, introducing a new mindset that will allow a paradigm shift in the company culture.

Read also: How to run a family business: lessons from Anton Huang of Stores Specialists Incorporated

What can you say to those who’d like to follow in your footsteps?

ATH: Be passionate about what you do. Passion will fuel success and success will lead to fulfillment. I have been passionate about retail—an industry that my family has been fortunate enough to thrive in. Growing up in a family that had a passion for teaching Filipinos about taste and playing an instrumental role in introducing the world to the Philippines, already ingrained in me a special love for the retail industry. We have been instrumental in shaping the taste of Filipino shoppers and adding meaning to the concept of lifestyle.

This cements the unique position we are in of shaping markets, setting trends and cultivating a life well-lived for the Filipino. And to those who are in a similar position—continuing a legacy pioneered by generations of influence, take on the role with much fervour and gusto! I hope that I continue to make my grandparents proud of how the business has evolved into the innovative, sustainable and productive enterprise that it is today.

The organisation we have built over time has grown, yet we continue to be the avenue for Filipinos to evolve, to be more eclectic in their choices and to live a life that’s well-lived and well-curated. So we continue in our mission of providing Filipinos with choices, an outlet for curation and a fulfilled life.

Also see: Wealth With Sophia: How 5 women started investing

Who do you look up to for guidance, inspiration or mentorship?

ATH: The legacy left by my grandparents, Lolo Benny and Lola Glecy Tantoco, still fuels my love and passion for the work that I do. They have truly paved the way for Filipinos to have a world of possibilities open up. If not for their vision 70 years ago, we would not be in the unique position to elevate the taste, ignite desire and inspiration and empower Filipinos to live a well-curated life. And staying true to this mission of offering only the best in lifestyle experiences and thereby enhancing the lives of every Filipino is probably the greatest lesson I continue to learn and live by every single day.

What are your plans for the coming years, and what keeps you going?

ATH: In the context of business, now that the retail space has opened up with more in-person interactions, we will continue to enhance and personalise the customer experience in terms of service, particularly for luxury brands. While we saw the importance of the digital and online space throughout the pandemic, continuing and upgrading a 360-degree approach in terms of brand accessibility and presence is what we are committed to providing our customers with. Customers should be able to access our brands on every relevant platform—be it on social media, a website or loyalty app, or in-store.

Additionally, 2022 has ushered in a renewed and refreshed retail scene. The dynamism and energy of the retail industry have again been felt, with new brands coming in and stores opening up. The ingenuity of the industry continues to be felt with the synergy and integration of both physical and digital spaces for brands being a norm in retail businesses today. And this is also what the future of the local scene looks like—a phygital retail experience for the global Filipino consumer. Omni-channel retailing, or the ability to provide a unified digital and in-store customer experience, will be one of the primary drivers of retail at the SSI Group moving forward. Maintaining an efficient, compelling and accessible physical store network, in our case, not only reinforces our ability to reach our customers but likewise provides a strong foundation for an omnichannel, integrated approach to speciality retailing.

As the key purveyor in the premium lifestyle and luxury scene, we are committed to maintaining a brand portfolio of speciality concepts that resonates with the ever-evolving tastes and lifestyles of Filipino consumers. This is what I am eagerly anticipating—how we, at the SSI Group, will continue to shape and define the meaning of luxury and lifestyle to Filipinos.

NOW READ

Where beauty and fintech collide: Filipina Claire Ongcangco is building Southeast Asia’s largest beauty and fintech platform

The app that’s giving millions of Filipino migrant workers financial access

Filipino-owned Hotel101 to open in the US, seeks to expand in more than 100 countries by 2040