NRCE 2026: Philippine Retail Moves New. Next. Forward.

NRCE 2026: Philippine Retail Moves New. Next. Forward. NRCE 2026, held August 6–7 under the theme “New. Next. Forward.,” brought together Philippine retailers, suppliers, technology providers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders for two days of retail innovation, industry insights, networking, and business opportunities.

MANILA, Philippines — The 32nd National Retail Conference and Expo (NRCE) 2026 closed its two-day run at the SMX Convention Center Manila with a clear message for the Philippine retail industry: the future will belong to businesses that can combine technology and innovation with people, purpose, collaboration, and the ability to adapt.

Held on August 6 and 7 under the theme “New. Next. Forward.”, NRCE 2026 brought together retailers, suppliers, technology providers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry stakeholders for two days of conversations, learning, networking, business opportunities, and retail innovation.

The event also carried added significance as the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) marked its 50th anniversary, making this year’s NRCE both a celebration of the industry’s journey and a look toward what comes next. The PRA’s milestone provided a fitting backdrop for discussions about how Philippine retail can remain competitive as technology, artificial intelligence, consumer behavior, and business models continue to change.

Beyond Technology: Retail Remains a People Business

One of the strongest themes to emerge from NRCE 2026 was that technology may be transforming retail, but people remain at its center.

PRA President Alice Liu set the tone by emphasizing that retail has always been—and will continue to be—a people business. Her message underscored the importance of approaching change with curiosity, courage, and confidence while recognizing that the industry’s future cannot be built by technology alone.

That people-first perspective carried into discussions on leadership, succession, workplace culture, and the next generation of family businesses.

A fireside conversation involving next-generation leaders Bryan and Brandon Liu of Golden ABC and Jathniel and Justine Thai of Primer Group of Companies explored the realities of succession, trust, and preparing the next generation to take businesses forward.

The message was particularly relevant for Philippine retailers navigating the transition between established leadership and younger generations expected to lead in a very different business environment.

AI and Digital Transformation Take Center Stage

At the same time, NRCE 2026 made clear that retailers can no longer treat technology as simply an optional upgrade.

Artificial intelligence, automation, data, omnichannel commerce, customer experience, and digital transformation featured prominently throughout the conference.

Joseph Phi, Group CEO of Li & Fung, framed the industry’s challenge around the need to keep moving as the world changes, describing a progression toward a new paradigm where people are amplified by AI, a next wave of expanding capabilities, and a way forward built around adapting to change.

For businesses considering digital transformation, the advice was notably practical.

Dustin Lacap of McDonald’s Philippines encouraged businesses to view technology as a strategic investment rather than merely another expense.

Meanwhile, RJ Paculan and Paolo Broma of TBWA\SMP emphasized that transformation should begin with the business problem—not with the technology itself. Their approach of testing, learning, and scaling what works offers a practical roadmap for retailers that may not have the resources to undertake massive digital transformations all at once.

The Expo Turns Ideas Into Business Opportunities

Complementing the conference program was the NRCE 2026 Expo, which transformed the exhibition halls into a marketplace for retail solutions and emerging technologies.

Hundreds of exhibitors showcased products and services covering major areas of the retail ecosystem, including artificial intelligence, point-of-sale and payment systems, logistics and supply chain, warehousing, e-commerce, omnichannel solutions, store design, marketing, financial technology, sustainability, business services, and emerging retail technologies.

The exhibition provided retailers with an opportunity to move from discussion to actual implementation—seeing technologies in action, comparing solutions, meeting suppliers, and exploring potential partnerships.

More importantly, the expo demonstrated that innovation in retail is not limited to large corporations. Solutions displayed across the exhibition floor offered opportunities for businesses at different stages of growth to improve operations, customer engagement, efficiency, and competitiveness.

Learning to Adapt Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage

NRCE 2026 also placed considerable attention on resilience.

Retail businesses are operating in an environment where consumer expectations change quickly, new technologies emerge continuously, and disruption can reshape entire categories.

A fireside discussion involving Roxanne Farillas of RAFFCO/Plains & Prints, Toby Claudio of Toby’s Sports, and Paolo Misa of PUMA Philippines, moderated by Mary Jade T. Roxas-Divinagracia of PwC Philippines, highlighted how established businesses can respond to disruption by adapting and reinventing themselves rather than simply trying to preserve the status quo.

That same spirit extended to discussions on Filipino brands and global competitiveness. Josh Boutwood, Mark Ocampo, and Abi Marquez explored how Filipino products and brands can compete internationally through authenticity, craftsmanship, and compelling storytelling.

Keeping the Customer at the Center

The conference ultimately returned to one of the most enduring principles in retail: understand the customer.

The closing fireside conversation between Teresita Sy-Coson, Chairperson of SM Investments Corporation, and Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls, moderated by Rico Hizon, reflected on the evolution of Philippine retail and the leadership philosophy associated with the late Henry Sy Sr.—most importantly, putting the customer first.

The lesson remains relevant even as retail becomes increasingly digital.

Technology can make transactions faster. Data can make decisions smarter. Artificial intelligence can make operations more efficient.

But sustainable retail success still depends on understanding people and creating experiences that customers value.

A New Chapter for Philippine Retail

As NRCE 2026 concluded, delegates left SMX Convention Center Manila with more than ideas from the conference and discoveries from the exhibition floor. The event created opportunities for retailers and suppliers to connect, businesses to explore partnerships, and industry leaders to reflect on how they can prepare for the next phase of retail transformation.

The conclusion of NRCE 2026 also marked an important moment for the PRA as it celebrates five decades of bringing Philippine retailers together.

From its role in giving retailers a collective industry voice to its continuing work in collaboration, education, advocacy, and industry development, the PRA’s 50th anniversary provided a powerful reminder that retail has always been an industry in motion.

The challenges ahead will be significant. Artificial intelligence will continue to reshape jobs and processes. Consumer expectations will continue to evolve. Digital commerce will continue to change the competitive landscape. Sustainability and responsible business practices will become increasingly important.

Yet the message from NRCE 2026 was ultimately optimistic.

Retail will change. Technology will evolve. But people, purpose, collaboration, and the courage to move forward will continue to matter.

For Philippine retailers, the challenge is no longer simply to keep up.

It is to learn faster, adapt smarter, serve customers better, and create the next opportunity.

New. Next. Forward. The journey continues.

Source: Philippine Retailers Association, “PRA at 50: Moving Philippine Retail Forward at the 32nd NRCE,” updated August 11, 2026.

via The Philippines Herald