Globe launches flagship store in Greenbelt 4

Tired of playing with dummy phones when shopping for a new mobile unit? Want a unique skin for your laptop or a hip casing for your cellphone? Or do you need someone to consult with on the best telecom solutions for your lifestyle or business? The new Globe flagship store in Greenbelt 4, Makati is revolutionizing the telecom store experience in the Philippines by bringing digital lifestyle closer to the people.

Instead of the usual non-functioning cellular phone prototypes being used as demo units at telecom shops, the Globe flagship store boasts of a wide array of working cell phones that the customers can feel, touch, and test to give them an idea of what product suits them best. There are also laptops with Wi-Fi and broadband connections, and for those who have yet to see the iPad, one is on display for everyone to try.

The store also carries top-of-the-line and stylish accessories for cellphones and laptops such as skins, headsets, and cases made by popular international manufacturers XtremeMac, Gelaskins, iFrogz, Ed Hardy, Skullcandy, Simplism, and Golla.

Besides providing the latest gadgets and accessories, the store likewise has a self-help area with interactive touch screens. There are also similar touch screens which allow customers to find out more about a product or service by simply choosing from the menu. The store also has the Great Deals catalog to guide the customers on the best buys, the hottest deals, and what is new in the market.

"The concept [of the new store] is embracing the digital lifestyle, whether you are at home, on the go, or at work. It is a complete change and not just in the aesthetics or the looks of it. We want our customers to feel a sense of playfulness and discovery when they come to our store. Our environment has been designed in ways that are easy and relevant for our customers. What we desire is for our customers to find the products and services they need all within the convenience of a one-stop shop," said Maridol Ylanan, Globe head of stores.

Being the country's first full-service telecom shop, the Globe Store veers away from the traditional utilitarian concept towards a digital lifestyle that places the needs of customers above everything else. It not only provides gadgets and accessories but also superior services and after-sales support.

"We encourage our customers to speak to our store specialists. They know our various products and services very well so they can give recommendations as to the gadget or solution that would fit one's lifestyle," Ylanan said.

The exciting new store design features a seamless, semicircular, 2-section layout which allows anyone to easily browse around the product display as well as request for after-sales support.

The inner core is called the Shop Zone and highlights the digital lifestyle, be it Home Life, Mobile Life, or Business Life. All accessories are also properly organized on shelves beneath each category to make it convenient for the customers to dress up their gadgets.

Besides providing an enhanced shopping experience, the store continues to deliver superior customer and after-sales support.

The outer core or the Service Zone of the store houses the Self-help area for customers who want immediate answers or who need to print a copy of their bill; Express Service for fast transactions such as modification of account information and subscription plans; Customer Service for more complex transactions and opening of new accounts; and Cashier for bills payments. The service area resembles a lounge with long, comfortable couches in muted tones where the clients can relax while waiting to be assisted. It also has a small private room exclusively for Platinum members.

"We're proud to say that no Philippine telecom company has done this. It was painstaking. We had to hire consultants, not only for the design but also for the backroom infrastructure, which, to a large part, is the soul of the store. The customers must be able to do a transaction within a reasonable period and still have time to browse around the store," Ylanan said.

The cutting-edge design was created by award-winning Australian architectural firm Public Design Group which also handled the stores of Globe's affiliates – SingTel of Singapore and Optus of Australia.

"We have taken what we know and learned about our customers through engaging them, observing them, and anticipating their needs, and allowed these valuable insights to ripple across every nook and cranny of our store, in every dimension across our critical product, system, and human touch points. From the design of the physical structure to the design of the customer experience; the look, feel, and the soul of our store, these resonate with an understanding of our customer in mind and an eagerness to delight them in every encounter even after they have stepped out of our store," Ylanan said.