Edmund and I went to Shangrila Mall last Sunday to eat lunch. We parked at the basement of the new wing. When we were already at the elevator, he discovered he left his cellphone in the Explorer. I stayed on the ground floor because we parked a bit far from the entrance.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There’s a flea market / ukay ukay in the high end Shangrila Mall. The main lobby was full of ala-tiangge stalls. I thought that was really off.
I do understand that the mall must be trying every possible way to attract mall goers. But a flea market? What would Gucci, Rolex, YSL, etc. say?
I know boutiques, restaurants, gifts and fashion wear stores are closing because of the high rental costs. But I thought Shangrila positions itself to be a high end mall? Then lower your rental rates.
One does not go to Shang to buy ukay ukay.
Edmund and I are analyzing the lifestyle pattern of the rich or the affluent. They travel a lot so that’s when they do a lot of shopping. Bags, shoes, clothes, and other supplies. They don’t go to the local mall to shop. There’s a growing segment of the middle class group that are now able to travel because of the affordable tour packages offered during travel fairs. They are also able to shop for their clothes and bags and shoes in, say Bangkok, Mongkok, and other places. This take away buyers from the local malls.
My family is a good example. We buy our supplies when we travel. We still buy a few things here but mostly groceries, medicines, food. For leather goods and fashion wear, only if we chanced upon something that caught our attention. Halimbawa, I went to Rustan’s a few weeks ago for my watches’ batteries. When I was going down the elevator, I saw a simple white dress. I went back after a few days and bought it, it was P1,750.
I do shop in Rustan’s but mostly housewares like placemas, table napkins, etc.
Unlike when I am abroad, I buy several clothes. Here locally, paisa-isa lang. I have not bought a bag locally in the past several years.
One line shopping is also common now so that greatly affects mall shopping.
I don’t shop online.
Jukaykay is a brand and it does not mean ukay ukay. We love this brand because they sell fashionable items without spending much. I know many rich people who love spending less on clothes. Sabi nga nila, nasa nagdadala. 🙂 by the way, i once saw a simple white dress that costs 8k+ and then i bought it right away.