In the Taff Ten Again*

WWD today released a new Top Ten List, this time ranking the countries by the percentage of residents surveyed who say they buy designer brands.

And guess what? The Philippines is ranked 8th, with 26 per cent.

8. PHILIPPINES
26 percent

"The international luxury community is taking notice of the Philippines," WWD reported in February. "In fact, retail — including the luxury and high-end variety — is alive and well in the Philippines, with its booming economy." Last year, the gross domestic product grew by 7.3 percent. Greenbelt 5, the latest addition to the development of the Greenbelt Mall, based in Manila, opened in October. Tenants include Balenciaga, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith, Banana Republic, Rafe and Celestina. In December, London-based market-intelligence firm Euromonitor ranked the Philippines ninth among Asia-Pacific region countries in terms of projected 2007 clothing and footwear retail sales, with $1.5 billion.

The survey was carried out by Nielsen, and revealed many surprises. Greece, for example, topped the list with 46 per cent.

The fashion-obsessed don't only live in New York, Tokyo, London or Paris these days. As part of its recent Global Designer Brand Survey, The Nielsen Company asked 25,000 consumers in 48 countries if they bought designer brands when they shop. (Neither the term "designer" nor price points were specified to respondents.) While some of the top countries may surprise, it turns out all 10 boast well-known shopping streets and plenty of designer boutiques — including ones for local brands. And most of the countries also hold their own fashion weeks. A word to designers who are looking to expand globally — if you haven't entered these regions already, it might not be a bad idea.

The Philippines is sandwiched between South Africa (7th place) and The Netherlands.

The nicest surprise of all - at least to me - was to have my own words used in describing the designer retail landscape in the Philippines and South Africa. Which is to say that the basis for supporting the Nielsen data came from my published articles: Paul Smith and Cartier opening in South Africa, and the overview of the luxury retail scene in the Philippines.

If you can't access the stories on the WWD website and would like to read them, leave a comment and I'll email them through to you.

*with apologies to Miss Philippines Janina San Miguel

Photo lifted from WWD.com

Comments

[manuelbuencamino]

I hope some of Brian Gorrel's money was spent on authentic designer brands and not knock-offs.

[bambinawrites]

If you believe what you read, apparently the GG had a penchant for fakes!

[manuelbuencamino]

I hope the coke they use is real and not just speed cut with mannitol. There is more of that in town than those fake LV and D&G bags sold in tiangges

[Mrs.T]

Hey! Interesting story! Please send me a copy of that article! Thanks :)

By the way, I was also stunned when I did a little sniffing here and there-- I tried to find out how many Hermes birkins are owned by peeps in Manila and I was just floored!!

Some third world country we are :) But boy, does money flooooow here!

[CD]

Ooh! May I have a copy of that article as well?! Thanks! =)

[gina]

is it possible to ask for a copy of the WWD report?
thanks much!

[yang]

Hi,

May I have a copy of the WWD report?

Thanks so much.

[M]

Hi,

Can I ask for a copy of the two articles you wrote about the retail scene in the Philippines?

I love your blog. It's such a good read.

[Vanessa]

hi can I have a copy of that article? thanks