APART from positioning Cebu as a world-class destination for medical and wellness tourism in Asia by 2010, tourism industry players are also tapping the province’s potential as a shopping destination for local and foreign travelers.

“Shopping tourism,” described as an emerging venture in the industry, was discussed by the Philippine International Trade Fair (PITF) 2008 chairperson Angel Ramos Bognot in last week’s Tourism Congress at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Bognot said the venture represents an “intimate and emotional” relationship between the country and the tourists as manifested through the buying of clothes, souvenirs and food, among others. More…

CEBU is set to become an emerging shopping destination in the Philippines as existing mall operators are expanding and new ones are set to rise in the different parts of the province in the coming years.

Ayala Center Cebu mall developer Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) president and chief executive officer Francis Monera said Cebu’s shopping market has been “tremendously” growing not only in Metro Cebu but in other key cities and towns in the province.

“There is a lot of money in Cebu. Offer something of value and it’s taken,” Monera said. SunStar

After the completion of the lagoon development of Ayala Center Cebu, which is expected by March or April, Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) will kick off another expansion plan of the shopping mall area pursuing the original plan of developing the Cebu Business Park’s (CBP) 9.6 hectare super block.

In an interview with CHI president and chief executive officer (CEO) Francis O. Monera, he said that the Phase 2-B project will be pursued by the company next year, starting with a study on how to develop a concept for another shopping mall expansion.

CHI is going to finish its P850 million expansion project of Ayala Center including the completion of the Ayala Center expansion building, and the transformation of its lagoon area to a chic Food and Beverage (F&B) strip. The Freeman

DEVELOPERS of a mall being constructed at the Mandaue City reclamation area are confident that when the first phase of their project opens in February next year, it will attract many people, especially Cebuanos.

The first phase of Parkmall@168 (Parkmall) will include al fresco shops and SaveMore, a supermarket brand under the SM Supervalue Group, said Parkmall business development director Christopher Tio.

Tio told reporters in a press conference yesterday that the entire mall will become fully operational in June next year. More…

The Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corp. (CPVDC) has earmarked investments worth P760 million for the construction of a business process outsourcing (BPO) building and an entertainment facility at the Asiatown IT (information technology) Park.

CPVDC president Francis Monera said the ongoing construction at the former site of The Village will pave the way for a food and entertainment facility that is expected to be completed this year.

The P60-million project will have two floors with 1,800 square meters of total leasable space, Monera said in an interview. SunStar

In month’s time, a new shopping and entertainment destination, and an avenue for visual artists, will sweep the Cebuano market, in response to the growing demand for great shopping options and a laid-back social venue.

One Mango Avenue will soon rise at Cebu’s prime uptown spot along Gen. Maxilom Avenue, near Fuente Osmeña Circle. The 6,000 square-meter site with a floor area of more than 1,000 square meters used to be an ancestral house owned by the Cañizares. According to Allister “Lester” G. Cañizares, Cebu Super Development Corp. manager, One Mango conforms to a zoning concept with diverse tenants , thus, each floor will be intended for specific tenants. The Freeman

Rustan’s Fresh is now open in Ayala Center Cebu.  Take home unlimited bundles of your favorie treats, get special packages and discoutns on your shopping choices and partake of delectable variety of delicacies from all-day food sampling.  Welcome a whole new scale of freshness as rustna’s Fresh moves in closer to you! 

At the left, is my version of fresh ad.

Visit Rustan’s supermarket located at the basement of the new expansion building of Ayala Center Cebu.

 Ayala Center Cebu  opened its new extension building last June 29, 2007 for better lifestyle shopping and business opportunities.  A lot of new stores have been opened in this area for a new style, new ideas and new concepts for vintage shopping.  Level 1 is a lifestyle shopping stores for ladies, and to name a few are: Nike Women, United Colors of Bennetton for Ladies, Levi’s Girls, Chocolate, etc..  Also on the 2nd level is for men and women apparels and fashion stores like bench, space, regatta,etc..  Likewise on the 3rd level are the computer shops, IT gadgets and electronics shops are in store to all shoppers.  Come and visit today at Ayala Center Cebu! 

Also,  an anticipating opening of HP Solutions Center owned by Ng Khai Development Corporaton will be opened today and the grand opening of NGenius IT Hub.  NGenius IT Hub have been relocated from the basement 1 to the 3rd level of this new building as part of the mall renovation. 

CEBU Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) launches Shop aCebu, a monthlong shoppers’ festival, highlighted by a simultaneous three-day mallwide sale from June 15 to 17, with a midnight sale on June 16.

Tagged as the revival event of Tour Cebu in 2001, which was also a monthlong shoppers, tourists and diners’ festival, Shop Cebu will offer large and wide-range discounts as well as attractive deals and packages to all Metro Cebu consumers as it aims to promote greater and brisker trade and industry in the city.

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Of the 10 largest shopping malls, 4 are in China, 3 in the Philippines, 1 in Malaysia, 1 in Canada, and 1 in the United States.

Out of the top five largest shopping malls in the world, the biggest 2 are in China, 2 are in the Philippines, as per Forbes magazine:

The largest is South China Mall in Dongguan, China, followed up by Golden Resources Mall in Beijing. The third is the Mall of Asia in the PHilippines, the fourth is the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta Canada, while the fifth is the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong Philippines.

The 9th largest mall is also in the Philippines - SM North Edsa Mall.

World’s 10 Largest Shopping Malls - Forbes.com

Cebu Imports Pork to Meet Huge Demand

Processed pork being served in most dinner tables in Cebu are not just from locally-grown pigs as traders are forced to buy from France, Canada and Germany to cope with huge demand for pork in the province.

Virginia Food Inc. president Felix O. Tiukinhoy Jr. said the household demand for pork in Cebu is so huge that local piggery farms have their hands full feeding the domestic supply.

Sun.Star Cebu - Wholesale chain launches stronger marketing for Cebu branch’s growth

Makro Cebu branch registered a 10 percent growth in 2005 and leads other branches in the country in terms of profit, Silverio told a press conference during the launching of the store’s first midnight sale yesterday.

She said the Cebu outlet hopes to grow by another 10 percent by the end of this year.