Malaysia-based retail and lifestyle conglomerate, Valiram Group, is poised to venture into the Philippines by developing duty-free airport shops, capitalizing on its core brands to drive expansion throughout the region.
Valiram Group’s executive directors, Mukesh Valiram, Ashvin Valiram, and Sharan Valiram, expressed their interest in entering the Philippines during a meeting with President Bongbong Marcos Jr. held in Singapore on Saturday.
Accompanying them were Rajan Uttamchandani, chairperson and CEO of Esquire Financing, and Jaime Zobel Urquijo, chief sustainability and risk officer at Ayala Corp, as reported by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
According to PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil, one of the Valiram executives expressed the group’s intention to rapidly expand its operations in the Philippines over the next five years.
Garafil disclosed that Valiram aims to introduce some of its brands that are not yet present in the Philippines, with the goal of enhancing the customer experience by providing more space at the country’s gateways and alleviating the stress and inconveniences associated with security checks.
Marcos acknowledged the crucial role of the retail sector in the Philippine economy, emphasizing that Valiram could contribute to boosting the country’s tourism industry. “It’s an important sector of the economy. It’s what’s driving the economy now, it’s consumer spending,” Marcos said.
Other officials present at the meeting included Garafil, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Special Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go, and Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo Antonio Macaraig.
Established in 1935 in Kuala Lumpur, Valiram is Southeast Asia’s premier luxury goods and retail specialist, with a presence in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, and Vietnam.
With over 350 stores in operation and ongoing expansion, the group represents more than 200 brands spanning various categories, including fashion, accessories, timepieces, jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, and dining concepts.
Valiram’s portfolio features internationally acclaimed brands such as Bath & Body Works, Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors, Tumi, and Victoria’s Secret, along with original and innovative retail concepts like Luxury Fashion, Swiss Watch Gallery, Flying Emporium, Vie Beaute, and Flow.
