Tag: SM

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SM’s loyalty program raises PHP30M to solve food insecurity and quality education.

Collaborating for good: SMAC and Globe executives, as well as the campaign’s beneficiaries, attended the turnover ceremony. From left to right: David Y. Jo, Head of Partnerships, Communications, and Reports, UN World Food Programme; Eduardo C. Jimenez, Vice Chairperson, World Vision; Jun N. Godornes, Director for Resource Development, World Vision; Celerina R. Amores, Senior Director for Corporate Communications, Ayala Foundation; Yoly C. Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Globe; Kevin Y. Hartigan-Go, Chief Operating Officer of SMAC; and Yaracel S. Macalindong, VP for Sales and Marketing of SMAC.

SMAC, SM’s loyalty program, raised over PHP30 million between December 2023 and January 2024 to assist in solving involuntary hunger and a lack of access to excellent education across the country, in conjunction with Globe’s Hapag Movement and the SM Foundation.
This is SMAC’s second year working with the Hapag Movement, which aims to provide supplemental meals and sustainable livelihood training to 100,000 Filipino families. Last year’s campaign raised PHP5.5 million, benefiting 10,000 people.

SMAC sponsored the campaign by donating P50 for every SMAC kit sold. Bonus points were also donated to the campaign for every eligible purchase made at participating SM Retail affiliates, which included SM Store, SM Fashion, SM Beauty, SM Appliance Centre, Kultura, Our Home, Surplus, Sport Central, Silk Issues, Levi’s, Forever 21, The Body Shop, Echo, and Crate and Barrel.

“We credit our success to the support of our devoted SMAC members. Every purchase they make, every point they donate, helps needy families. “Together, we can create a future in which no one goes hungry,” said Kevin Hartigan-Go, Chief Operating Officer of SMAC.

This year, SMAC and Globe’s collaboration generated approximately 30 million points, which will be donated to the Hapag Movement and the SM Foundation. Hartigan-Go emphasized that “these will be put into programs that will directly impact the lives of many Filipinos.”

Unite to make a difference.

According to the most recent June 2024 Social Weather Station (SWS) poll, the country’s hunger rate has risen to 17.6% from 14.2% in March.

Hartigan-Go shared that “Hapag’s vision of fighting involuntary hunger resonates with SMAC, our retail partners, and our SMAC member base.”
Meanwhile, Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, emphasized the importance of working with SMAC.

“This cooperation extends beyond seasonal efforts to provide families with long-term support. We are laying the groundwork for long-term change by reducing involuntary hunger and empowering households to better their livelihoods. We are delighted to continue this effort and invite other organizations to partner with us so that we can make a difference,” Crisanto stated.

The Hapag Movement’s partner organizations include the UN World Food Programme, the Ayala Foundation, and World Vision Philippines.

 

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Increased Assistance from SM to Communities Affected by Typhoon Carina

Thanks to the SM Foundation’s Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) program, the SM Group has stepped up its assistance efforts following the devastating effects of Typhoon Carina on Luzon and Metro Manila. Those impacted by the torrential rains and widespread flooding have received over 23,000 “Kalinga” aid packets from the foundation.

Several impacted areas, including Metro Manila, Bulacan, Bataan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Rizal, and Cavite, have received Kalinga Packs from SM employee volunteers in the field. To ease the urgent demands and bring comfort to families who have been relocated, these bags contain necessities.

As part of a concerted effort, SM Supermalls and the Philippine Red Cross have set up OPTE booths. These booths are central locations for providing aid and distributing relief supplies to those in need.

The SM malls have gone above and beyond to serve the community by providing free WiFi and phone charging stations, free overnight parking for those who are stuck, and other amenities to help people stay connected with their loved ones. Help desks have also been set up at several SM Supermalls to give locals the information and support they need during this difficult time.

In the event of a disaster or emergency, the SM Foundation, SM Supermalls, and SM Markets work together through their social responsibility initiative, Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), to ensure that people receive prompt assistance. More than 800,000 Kalinga packs have been distributed across the country since the campaign began.

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A Rise in SM’s Foot Traffic is Attributed to the Mall’s Enhanced Activities.

With an increase from 3.3 million in the same period last year, SM Supermalls recorded a rise in foot traffic, reaching an average of over 4 million daily visitors in the first quarter of 2024. This consistent increase demonstrates SM’s dedication to enhancing the mall experience by offering a wide range of exciting activities that meet the changing interests of consumers.

The rise in customer traffic is a direct result of our unwavering dedication to fulfilling our customers’ everyday demands and requirements, says Steven T. Tan, president of SM Supermalls. At our malls, you’ll find a perfect combination of cutting-edge retail services and thriving entrepreneurial atmospheres.

With its integrated property developments, SM has turned its malls into places where the whole Filipino family can enjoy immersive experiences.

The Space & Time Cube+ at S Maison is the first-ever immersive art museum in the Philippines.

Filipino consumers are increasingly flocking to malls for entertainment and culinary experiences, driven by a move towards discretionary spending. Food tenants now occupy 30% of mall spaces, up from 10% a decade ago, and non-food tenants, such as entertainment, occupy 50%. Other tenants that are service-related complement the varied offers.

S Maison’s Space & Time Cube+ is the Philippines’ first fully immersive art museum.

An immersive art museum with 20 themed attractions like LED tunnels and holographic displays, the Space & Time Cube+ at S Maison is a recent innovation that showcases SM’s dedication to combining art with entertainment.

No matter what kind of fandom you’re into—K-pop, anime, or music—SM Supermalls is a place to support your favorite groups and artists. SM is thrilled to be a part of these communities and the gathering spot for fans of all ages and walks of life.

At SM City Fairview, there is a new attraction called Cosplay City, where fans may express themselves. This multi-district location has everything a community could want: toy displays, anime-themed zones, and that perfect Tokyo City ambiance for those Instagram-worthy photos.

Over 500 cosplayers from Metro Manila excitedly gather at SM City Fairview to check out Cosplay City.

With much anticipation, more than 500 cosplayers from the Metro Manila area assemble at SM City Fairview to see Cosplay City.

Launched in November 2023, the 1,947 square meter indoor entertainment complex inside SM Mall of Asia’s flagship location, Game Park, offers a variety of activities to suit varied interests, including bowling, basketball, e-darts, and an indoor archery range.

A family creates lasting memories at the Pyromusical Competition in SM by the Bay, SM Mall of Asia Complex

“SM always finds new ways to wow their customers,” Mr. Tan confirmed. “Our goal is to create lasting memories through dynamic destinations that complement traditional shopping.”

 

 

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Education: A Path Away from Difficulty

Fritz Mendez, an SM Foundation alumnus, has an opportunity to pursue his dream of attending college and launching a prosperous career through the scholarship program.

Since 1993, the SM Foundation, SM’s social good arm, has given college scholarships to deserving students from underprivileged communities. This demonstrates how education and perseverance may lead to a life free of poverty.

Education, according to SM founder Henry Sy, is the greatest weapon against poverty. A college education, in his view, is one of the most powerful tools for social change, and the ripple effect it has on a graduate’s ability to improve not only his own life but also that of his loved ones, his employer, and the world at large.

The scholarship program has helped more than 4,200 students so far this year, and it is also assisting in the fight against the generational transmission of poverty through its emphasis on youth education, the construction of schools, and the provision of classrooms around the country.

Fritz Mendez finds this path to be far from simple. Because he was a member of a defenseless group, staying alive was his top priority.

Tragically, the war in Lebanon cut short his mother’s career as a domestic worker. He felt that getting out of poverty was an unachievable dream due to these and other family problems, so he stopped going to school.

Due to the widespread poverty in our neighborhood, it is almost anticipated that you do not have a bachelor’s degree or higher. A college degree was always a goal of his, but he wished to prove to his loved ones and neighbors that it was possible. The SM Scholarship has granted me my prayer: the chance to realize this ambition. After mustering up all my bravery, I applied, and the SM Foundation granted me a chance.

Realizing the hitherto unimaginable goal

Fritz, a graduate of the SM Scholarship Program, now has the opportunity to mentor the next crop of scholarship recipients.

Fritz began college at the tender age of nineteen, but he wasted no time gaining knowledge and making the most of his opportunities despite being older than his classmates.

He overcame adversity by actively participating in church activities and the scholarship program, both of which provided him with a supportive atmosphere. Through his involvement in numerous extracurricular activities at church and school, he developed his leadership abilities, his extroverted personality, and his love for writing and performing.

Important for Fritz’s well-being and performance in college and beyond, he honed practical skills such as time management and budgeting. He gained self-assurance and new perspectives as a result of these events.

My newfound confidence is all because to the scholarship. My sense of duty, discipline, and respect for the worth of work and money were all honed by the simple act of contemplating my own existence. This development was most pronounced when I was a summer intern with the SM Scholarship and learned how to manage my money wisely. I managed to take care of our household expenses and put up enough money for my stipend next semester.

 

Indulging in my passion

A person’s family is everything to them. Fritz promotes the idea of spreading social good among his coworkers at work.

His one and only job after graduating from Accounting Technology in 2014 was with BDO Unibank.

Now a senior teller and the BDO Employees Association’s Regional Director for the Visayas area, he has risen the corporate ladder. He encourages his coworkers, leads well, and suggests creative welfare measures for his colleagues, all while handling important accounts in his area.

One thing I’ve learned from the SM Group is the importance of family. They taught me the value of family through their unwavering support and encouragement while I was an SM scholar. He was able to learn and show how to care for his family while working at BDO Unibank.

Thanks to his mother, who believed in his ability to provide a better life for his family, Fritz is now able to provide them a good home and meet their basic necessities.

Beyond this, as a high school student who could have accepted his destiny, the SM Scholarship offered me hope. Not only did the SM Scholarship allow me to become the sole graduate in my fractured family, but it also gave me the chance to dream of a better, more hopeful future. It showed that there is hope for students like me who are looking to start over and create our own opportunities.

 

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Switching to Eco-Friendly Lifestyle in 2024

Every great thing has humble origins. The new year is a perfect time to start doing good things, like becoming more environmentally conscious with the help of SM Store.

SM Retail is leading the SM Green Movement in collaboration with its supply partners, customers, and communities. It is a concerted attempt to promote environmentally friendly lifestyles, cultures, and worlds.

By beginning your eco-friendly journey with SM Green Finds, you may buy more sustainably with any of SM’s many brands. With these initial measures, SM Store is providing products that contribute to the welfare of our communities and the environment, allowing us to all have a more environmentally conscious shopping experience.

The goods sold at SM Green Finds are all-natural, and the store also helps local craftspeople and the economy. Customers can more easily select products that consistently prioritize the welfare of our communities and the environment through the SM Green Finds initiative.

Starting with SM House, where you can find a selection of linens made of bamboo and TencelTM fibers, such as bedsheets and towels, is a great way to make your house eco-friendlier and contribute to your green journey with SM Store. Sustainable materials such as abaca and buri are used to make KEA baskets, which can be used to organize dwellings.

Bamboo and Tencel-fiber towels

A variety of products that can assist you in embracing sustainable living can be found at ACE Express at the SM Store as well. Conventional products that use natural or recycled materials are also part of this category, as are energy-saving LED lights, solar-powered items, water-saving bathroom fixtures, non-toxic cleaning solutions, sustainable gardening supplies, and trash segregation containers.

Peat moss for a relaxing and enjoyable gardening experience

There is a Clean Beauty line available at SM Beauty that uses superior products and comes in nicer packaging for your beauty routine. It’s a plethora of items that have been painstakingly crafted using just natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals. SM Beauty also advertises refill packets, which reduce plastic consumption and provide further savings.

An All-Natural, Organic Aloe Vera Hair Wash

Shop SM Fashion’s Green Finds line to update your wardrobe in an eco-friendly way. Look into sustainable choices, such as the denim from Repreve, which is crafted from recycled plastic.

Showcase SM Store’s dedication to fashionable and eco-conscious attire by expanding your sustainable selections to include bamboo undergarments and accessories.

Upcycled denim by SM Woman Plus: reimagining vintage denim as trendy new pieces.

If you want to start living more sustainably, the SM Store is the place to go. Just look for the Green Finds label.

By highlighting eco-friendly, locally sourced, and organic products, SM Green Finds simplifies green living for its consumers. Visit https://smgreenmovement.com to learn more about SM’s sustainability initiatives.

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SM Store Hosts Shop & Share a Toy Event in Celebration of Christmas

Many Filipino traits are well-known, including the countrymen’s generous spirit, unending devotion to family, and special reverence for the holiday season. The longest Christmas celebration in the world starts as soon as the “ber” months start, earning the country fame. Beyond the celebrations and feasts, though, this time of year represents a resolve to help those less fortunate, especially children.

In light of this, the SM Store launched the “Shop & Share a Toy” campaign from December 1–15, 2023, to inspire its loyal customers to brighten the lives of children around the country. The campaign enabled customers to get a new toy for just P100 with a minimum single-receipt purchase of P3,000 at any SM Store. It was a joint effort of the SM Foundation, SM Cares, and well-known non-governmental organizations such as World Vision, Good Neighbors Philippines, and UNICEF Philippines. Children in the age range of three to seven received five thousand (5,000) brand-new toys from different parts of the nation as a result of this joint effort.

Sharing and giving are important values at the SM Store. This holiday season, “Shop and Share a Toy” bring less fortunate children delight through a meaningful collaboration among SM Store, partner NGOs, and our dedicated shoppers. Mr. Dhinno S. Tiu is the executive vice president of the SM Outlet.

There are 365 days in a year, and every child in the Philippines deserves to feel the pure delight of a new toy, just like any other child would. Thanks to your generosity, SM Store was able to help less fortunate children celebrate Christmas in style while simultaneously providing them with the tools they needed to develop holistically through play. As the Christmas season begins, SM Store hopes that everyone will continue to give gifts in the spirit of the season, which will help spread love, generosity, and compassion.