College job
When I completed 2 years in college my brother asked me to stop my schooling to manage his textile business in Manila. I was in Cebu for school. I was in my late teens at that time. He had around 5 different stores, some were managed by his wife’s siblings. He also had a dressmaking shop. He had around 4 or 5 seamstresses. Some of those clothes that they made I was selling it in my store. It was really a successful store. My other sister also managed the other store. Me and my sister managed the stores pretty good.
My brother used to go to Zamboanga to buy fabric because the fabric there usually came from Thailand or from some other Asian countries. A lot of our customers from Northern Luzon liked the fabric from there. Sometimes he would go to Hong Kong for our upper class clientele. At least there he can really choose what design would be on the fabric. Somehow they like the fabric from there. I remember when my brother and his wife would be back from the trip, as if we would not sleep for almost 24 hours. We have to sort the fabric and measure it for it to be ready to be shipped for our customers. A lot of times when my brother bought the fabric from Zamboanga or abroad more than half of it is sold already. Some of the fabric my brother already had orders for already made clothing. Most of those went to the Visayas and Mindanao.
Some of the fabric that we still had left in stocks remained on the shelf for awhile. What I do I will have our seamstress make one for me and I would be wearing it in my store. A lot of the customers would notice the fabric then and they would want to buy it. I guess they can’t really see the nice fabric in the shelf, but I guess seeing the fabric that its made then they can see the whole picture then. Thinking about it now, I wonder what would my customers reaction if I was not so conservative back then? Wow, I think my fabric would be sold before the days end. My dad and mom might just want me to stay at our house instead.
I was talking to my niece, shes working in my brother’s business. She told me that some stores of my brother and a lot of my brother’s friends are closing. She told me that the business is really slow right now. I know because of the economy. I feel bad for them though because that’s how they keep their income to survive. Now a lot of the clothing that are being sold here in the Philippines are really cheap. It is more costly if you have to buy the fabric and have somebody make it for you. I’ve seen here in the kiosk in Davao the price for a nice blouse its just Php99. Some are even cheaper. With that price you have to be size 0 to at most a size 8. If you are more than that size it is harder to find clothes in the kiosk even in the mall. I guess just have to buy the fabric and have it made it then.
Have fun shopping and try to bargain too!
feyma
times have changed so much in retailing it is sooo tough for even spesialst stores your experience is very valuable in the store for commercial reall life future education, you and bob really make a great team with your life experiences , always enjoy the articles feyma thanks, rick and ann
Hi Feyma,I would think most of the cheap clothes are coming in from China,they have been flooding the world with cheap goods,i can understand how difficult it would be to compete.Maybe a way forward would be to specialise in very high quality, made to measure goods for rich people who like something exclusive in Manila,just an idea.I have recently heard from a friend living in Thailand,to help boost the ailing economy there the Govt has introduced the following policies from August 1st to run for 6 months.9 million poor people will benefit from free bus travel on non aircon buses,free 3rd class train travel,free electric up to 80 units a month and free water up to 50 cubic litres a month.All will benefit from a small reduction in gasoline and diesel tax.Regards Chas.
Hi Feyma. Very nice article.
You’ve got a very valuable experience there. I’m sure that experience helps you a lot with your present career.
There’s always a market for clothng. The economy is just bad this time. I’m sure your brother will see the light at the end of the tunnel in a few months.
I always enjoyed the Baratilyo in Binondo and Quiapo in Manila and Carbon in Cebu.
Hi Rick - I know it change so much and hard competition right now too. Products from China really selling it here cheaper than the one thats made here in the Philippines.
I think being married for 18 years thats make our marriage so strong. We know each other for a long time. You and Ann will catch up soon.
Thank you always for stopping by! Hi to Ann and Baby Annika.
Hi CHAS - Yes, to compete with China is difficult. Philippines is flooded with their products right now. Honestly a lot of the product from China that sold here in the Philippines it felt like disposables. Of course a lot of the vendors will buy those because thats what most of the people can afford. Really at the end it cost more money for the poor because they keep on buying.
You know what I saw some good quality stores here. Not much customers though. They end up closing.
I am not sure though if the government will give free rides or other stuff to the people. I wish they would. Will see.
Hi Dr. Sponk Long - Yes I really learned a lot from that experience.
I think for now my brother starts selling those cheap stuff from China to survive, just like the rest of the vendors. Oh well, thats part of life.
Have you tried shopping and bargaining at Divisoria and Baclaran?
Thank you so much for stopping by!