(Source: Gekiryu, KOKUSAI SHOGYO Publishing Corp.)
Delegates from the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Association (FAPRA) had a special interview for the Japanese distribution industry journal “Gekiryu” on the 50th Supermarket Trade Show 2016 (February 10-12, 2016) hosted by the New Supermarket Association of Japan.
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Interview with Mr. Lorenzo C. Formoso, Chairman of the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Association (FAPRA), President of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) on Solving issues in the 18 regions through promoting technology and information exchanges.
“Representing 18 economic regions in Asia Pacific, the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Associations (FAPRA) consists of a diverse range of member countries including Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, New Zealand, Korea, the Philippines and other ASEAN members.
FAPRA’s major role is to provide its members with a place to exchange technology and information with other members. Each member is given the opportunity to share their activities, and FAPRA itself occasionally gives advice or support to their activities. Each member experiences different challenges depending on the way of doing things or on the size of its economy. However, we share the same concept of trying to improve the retail industry of the member states.
One of the important activities of FAPRA includes holding the Asia-Pacific Retailers Convention & Exhibition every two years. Held over a few days, this event features lectures and panel discussions by the heads of the retail industry in each region. The next exhibition is scheduled in 2017, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. To make this event successful, we are now learning the Japanese way of hosting conferences. The seminars and conferences held by the New Supermarket Association of Japan seem very successful to me.
Japanese food is popular across the world. I think this is because of its natural taste and its artistic look, and more practically, its distinctive quality makes it an attraction. The quality of the services Japanese stores offer is also amazingly high. “Sincerity” would be the word to describe it. For example, when they say something is 1000 yen, you never get charged more than that. I think this is one of the most attractive aspects of Japan.”
