Samsung C&T's Eight Seconds Enters the Philippine Market

Partnership with Local Retail Group Suyen
Expansion to Three Stores in the Philippines by October

On July 10, Samsung C&T Fashion Division announced that its casual brand Eight Seconds has opened its first global store on the second floor of the SM Mall of Asia, a mega shopping mall in Manila, Philippines. The store covers an area of approximately 420 square meters.

Exterior view of the Eight Seconds store located in SM Mall of Asia, Manila, Philippines. Provided by Samsung C&T Fashion Division

Eight Seconds entered the Philippine market through a partnership with Suyen Corporation, a leading retail group in the country. Established in 1987, Suyen Corporation operates about 1,600 stores locally. Its business spans a wide range of lifestyle sectors, focusing on its own brands and international fashion brands, as well as beauty and food & beverage (F&B).

The first Eight Seconds store in the Philippines is located in SM Mall of Asia, which is one of the supermalls operated by SM Group, the country's largest retail conglomerate. The mall is not only a landmark shopping destination in the Philippines but is also recognized as one of the largest shopping malls in the entire Southeast Asian region.

On the second floor of SM Mall of Asia, where Eight Seconds is located, Suyen Group operates Urban Revivo, and global SPA brands such as Zara, H&M, Forever 21, and Gap are also present.

Eight Seconds plans to open up to three stores in the Manila area during the second half of this year. The company will gradually expand its store presence depending on the local response. The second store in the Philippines will open this month on the first floor of Uptown Mall in Bonifacio Global City. The third store is scheduled to open around October at Robinsons Manila, located in the city center of Manila.

With its entry into the Philippine market, Eight Seconds plans to actively seek various business opportunities throughout the Asian region.

Ko Heejin, Executive Vice President and Head of Eight Seconds Business at Samsung C&T Fashion Division, said, "We aim to write a new chapter for Eight Seconds in Manila, the heart of the Philippines, which is a key country in the Southeast Asian market. We will strive to ensure that the young, vibrant, and beautiful customers of the Philippines can fully enjoy our culture, fashion, and lifestyle with us."

Meanwhile, the opening event held at 3:30 p.m. local time on July 9 was attended by Lee Sanghwa, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines; Jordan Darong, Director at the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry; Luigi Calixto Rubiano, Councilor of Pasay City, Manila; Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls; Ben Chan, Chairman of Suyen Corporation; Virgilio Lim, President; Brian Lim, Vice President; Lee Junseo, Head of Samsung C&T Fashion Division; Ko Heejin, Executive Vice President; and other key business stakeholders, as well as Eight Seconds global ambassador Sunoo of Enhypen.