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BY MANNY VILLAR
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Years ago I wrote on this column the changes that were happening around us, which were affecting the way we do things, even our lifestyle. Nowhere is this more evident than in the way people shop — from the traditional public markets, including the smaller talipapa (flea market) in the villages, to department stores and groceries, then to supermarkets and, now, the giant shopping malls.
The modern malls even introduced a new lifestyle, as the shopping centers integrated with service (including government), entertainment and dining facilities. In many urban areas, malls also serve as public parks, which are more comfortable and with more offerings than public plazas.
Advancements in technology are bringing changes much faster today, so we often hear people saying time is getting faster.
It was not so long ago when we used the analog telephone with the circular dial to communicate. For long-distance calls, we needed operators to connect with other people. Then came the cellular or cell phones, which first discarded human operators for overseas calls, then introduced the face-to-face calls. Filipinos can talk with and see their loved ones almost in any part of the globe in real time — it doesn’t matter whether it is morning in Manila and evening in Los Angeles.
In the transport sector, commuters no longer have to wait for taxis to come by; they just need the mobile application, and the Uber or Grab vehicle will come to their door.
Also in the transport sector, concern for the adverse impact of climate change has ushered in the development of cars that run on electricity instead of fossil fuel. The major car companies — General Motors, Nissan, Ford and others — have joined the competition launched by Tesla in producing electric cars.
Some countries in Europe are already setting dates on when only electric cars would be allowed on their roads. Some manufacturers are also making plans to shift to the production of environment-friendly vehicles and totally abandon gasoline and diesel cars.
New cars are now equipped with systems that automatically stop them before a collision happens. Driverless cars, which we saw only in the movies, are no longer a dream — they are already a reality.
Some changes completely affect how we do things. For example, the advent of mobile communications completely discarded the analog system. When it comes to shopping, however, the growth of online shopping may not have an immediate and significant impact on mall shopping.
Based on recent news reports, the Philippine Retailers Association said many of its members were losing customers to online shopping, which offers convenience amid the traffic congestion in Metro Manila.Online shopping sites are estimated to account for a 5-percent share of the retail business at present.
In a research note, Colliers International noted that the recent launch of Amazon in Singapore indicated the growing interest in Southeast Asia as an e-commerce hub.
In the Philippines, some mall developers are partnering with online shopping platforms and logistics firms, such as Zalora, Lazada and 2Go, to reach remote areas that are becoming hot spots for online shopping.
Lazada already has two logistics hubs in the Philippines — one in Muntinlupa and another in Cebu.
However, traffic congestion, which online shoppers avoid, also serves as a disadvantage, because it delays delivery of purchases. This is why online shopping sites cannot compete with supermarkets when it comes to fresh produce and other perishable groceries.
Modern malls have other inherent advantages that are difficult for online shopping to beat — they provide a complete menu of activities, like dining, entertainment, services and supermarkets — in addition to shopping.
Many shoppers want to see and try the clothes or shoes before they buy — items bought online need to be returned for replacements if these fail to satisfy the buyers.
On a more human perspective, of course, it’s not possible to go on a movie or dinner date online.
In general, however, we cannot avoid change. We have to accept the fact that life today, which was not the same 10 years ago, will not be the same 10 years from now.
The private sector, which is usually the first affected by changes brought in by new technology, must always be prepared to make adjustments to adapt to these changes.
The invention of computers killed typewriter companies — I tried, and failed, to locate a single store selling brand-new typewriters in Metro Manila; I was told only reconditioned models were available.
The development of computerized offset systems forced the retirement of the skilled typesetters in local printing companies, as well as the telephone operators in the telecommunication firms.
We should not look at changes as threats or enemies, but as challenges to do better. This is how local retailers cope with the global trends in the business, which encouraged international brands to come into the Philippines, and made the country a shopping destination in this part of the world.
This piece first came out in Business Mirror on Oct. 2, 2017 under the column “The Entrepreneur.” For comments/feedback e-mail to: mbv.secretariat@gmail.com or visitwww.mannyvillar.com.ph./PN)
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