Philippine Retail Leaders Summit 2026: Over 200 Executives to Shape Future Trends
More than 200 business leaders, executives, managers, entrepreneurs, and representatives from small and medium enterprises are anticipated to assemble for the 4th Retail Leaders Summit this month. Organized by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), the event will bring together retail industry stakeholders to deliberate on leadership strategies, emerging technologies, and evolving consumer trends that are actively shaping the sector. The summit is scheduled to take place on March 18 at Novotel Manila Araneta City.
Platform for Insight and Networking
PRA president and Golden ABC chief executive officer Alice Liu emphasized that the summit aims to provide a vital platform for industry leaders to exchange valuable insights and strengthen professional networks. Golden ABC is the company behind Cebu-founded Penshoppe, among other prominent fashion retail brands. Anchored on the theme “Reconnect with Leaders. Reimagine the Future of Retail,” the summit will highlight essential leadership approaches, innovation, and organizational culture required to navigate a rapidly changing retail landscape.
Keynote Address and Leadership Focus
Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls, will deliver the opening keynote address, focusing on leadership practices that emphasize people development, culture, and transformation. This address is expected to set the tone for discussions on how retail leaders can adapt and thrive in an evolving market environment.
Steady Consumer Spending and Mall Expansion Trends
The summit coincides with the Philippines holding the ASEAN chairmanship this year, placing the country in the regional and global spotlight. It also aligns with expectations of steady consumer spending growth in 2026. According to BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, real household spending is projected to grow 4.5 percent year on year to reach P14.1 trillion. While this represents a slight deceleration from the 4.7 percent growth projected for 2025, total spending will remain more than 26 percent above pre-pandemic levels.
The country’s retail sector, as noted by Colliers Philippines, is becoming increasingly resilient, supported by strong demand from foreign brands and aggressive refurbishment of retail spaces by mall developers, as well as expansion outside Metro Manila. Colliers highlighted that the shift to suburban markets has become more pronounced. For instance, Rockwell is set to open Power Plant Malls in Angeles City and Bacolod City in 2027. Meanwhile, SM and Ayala Malls are targeting key cities including Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Bacolod, where new malls will be opened or renovated between 2026 and 2028.
Future Retail Space Dominance
Colliers expects food and beverage (F&B), clothing and footwear, and beauty and wellness retailers to dominate mall space take-up over the next 12 months. Foreign brands are also likely to continue occupying significant mall space. Major developers have earmarked billions of pesos for the reinvigoration of their retail centers, and this investment is anticipated to support retail growth in areas outside Metro Manila, including Cebu and Pampanga.
