Cebu City, Cebu - As the international export market remains volatile, exporters in Cebu are now banking on the strong potentials of the domestic market to help boost revenues.
European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) executive vice president Henry Schumacher said the export sector, particularly furniture and home furnishing makers, should boost their presence and marketability in its “home-ground” while the domestic market is showing more interest with their products as compared to imported goods.
"Although the domestic market and that of Asia have been the ‘savior’ for the furniture and other home-furnishing exporters and even the fashion accessories’ exporters in the last few years, this year, exporters are told to double their efforts in enticing the huge and growing Filipino market, which are now appreciating Filipino-made products and also now afford to buy export-quality home furnishings," said Schumacher.
He said furniture and home furnishing exporters can capitalize on the robust performance of the real estate market with homeowners needing to purchase quality designs for their condominium units and residential homes.
Meanwhile, exporter Pete Delantar, president of world-renowned Nature’s Legacy, in a separate interview, said tapping the Asian and domestic markets has sustained his business.
His company has created Naturescast to accommodate the strong demand for local home furniture accents, such as decors, garden accessories, and wall art, among others.
Naturescast is now available in major retail outlets like SM’s Kultura, Rustan’s houseware section in Manila, EchoStores, Tindahang Pinoy outlet in Cebu, among others.
Aside from tapping local wholesalers for Naturescast products, the company is also getting orders for institutional clients, like shopping malls, hotels, and residential condominium units, Delantar said.
"Philippine-made furniture, housewares and gift items are also gaining popularity in China, which is a huge market. We don't see China as a competition anymore but a potential market," he said.
Source: Manila Bulletin; News; 11 February 2013
