Micro and small enterprises like sari-sari stores are important and companies like Prince Hypermart should be commended for connecting with them, said Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. Cayetano spoke before the “TENdahang Karnabal: 10th Annual Sari-Sari Store Festival 2015” on August 15. The festival is an annual event organized by Prince Hypermart and held this year in the Amnezia Superclub on Ouano Ave., Mandaue City.
The company said the event is meant to give back to their Prince Royalty Members and “thank them for the years of continued loyalty and support.”
“It’s our way of giving back and also a celebration for our loyal and happy members,” said Rina Janine Go, supply chain director of Prince Retail Group of Companies.
Whole day event
The whole-day event had games, helpful discussions, talks, surprises and giveaways of prizes.
Cayetano, the Senate majority leader, said government should consider allocating part of the Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or conditional cash transfers to lend to micro and small businesses. He said the government can set aside P1 billion per region for this.
Cayetano also discussed how small and medium enterprises can plan and allocate their budgets. He also gave additional capital to the top 10 customers for each Prince Hypermart branch.
Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas was invited to the event but he could not come and was represented by Rep. Luigi Quisumbing and Atty. Carlo Fortuna who delivered his message.
Other guests
Chinkee Tan, popular wealth management author, speaker and TV personality, presented a lively talk on having the right business mindset and how stores can specialize according to market needs. He cited as example selling school supplies if the store is within a school’s vicinity. Pinoy Big Brother Housemate Paul Jake Castillo entertained the crowd with games and gave away a tricycle from International Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The Sari-Sari Store Festival is a yearly gathering exclusive to members of the Royalty Program, Prince Hypermart’s membership rewards and points program. A total of 1,223 of these members, based in Cebu province, attended this year’s event. The membership base is growing with 75,457 members in Cebu Province and a total of 245,166 members all over the Visayas and Mindanao— mostly sari-sari store owners.
Prince loyalty program
Go says that what distinguishes Prince’s loyalty program are rebates to earn direct discounts on purchases, exclusive monthly deals to get higher resell profits. Its Royalty Gold Program offers exclusive deals and access to life and health insurance.
Royalty Gold Member Fe Ramos of Danao, gave a heartfelt and moving testimonial on how the Royalty Program’s insurance helped her pay the hospital bills. She was crying as she thanked the Go family for the benefits she received.
Prince Hypermart is one of the leading retail and wholesale chains in the Visayas and Mindanao region, with 24 stores to date. Since its founding in April 1990, the retail chain currently has seven branches in Cebu at the North Reclamation Area, Old MCWD building in M.C. Briones, Danao City, Minglanilla, Dalaguete, Argao, and Daanbantayan.
