Italian houseware brand opens first outlet in Cebu

RIDING on the growing real estate market in Cebu, Italian houseware brand Alessi has opened an outlet at the Ayala Center Cebu. The Ayala store is the first in Cebu.

“We decided to finally come to Cebu because we think the market here is ready.

There are also a lot of highend residential projects now being developed here both by national and local developers and we are eyeing to tap that,” said Michael Harris L. Conlin, president of Henry & Sons Trading and Manufacturing Co., Inc. Henry & Sons is the exclusive distributor of Alessi in the country.

The first Alessi shop in the country opened in Bonifacio Global City in 2007.

It was followed by an outlet in Greenbelt 5 two years later. Luca Alessi, international sales and development manager for Asia-Pacific, said the Philippines “is among the most advanced markets” of Alessi in Asia.

“We are positive with the addition of Cebu, with a fast growing economy and a market that’s very much into design,” he said. He was optimistic that Cebuanos will appreciate Alessi merchandise.

Alessi’s top market in Asia is Japan. “Japan actually is our second largest market after Italy.

We are now in many countries in Asia including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam. Australia and Taiwan are also our strong markets,” he said.

Alessi said they work with over 250 designers around the world for the conceptualization, design and development of their housewares.

“These pieces are then manufactured in Italy and sold in all our shops around the world,” he said.

He said they were eyeing to collaborate with local designers to develop pieces for the Filipinos and Cebuanos. Conlin said they have received positive feedback from the Cebuano market since they soft opened in April last year.

“Last year, our growth was at 14 percent and we expect higher growth this year and the following years to come.

We have seen the market expanding with people now buying designer housewares to go with their furniture at home,” said Conlin.