Japan’s iconic footwear retail giant ABC-MART has officially stepped into the Philippine market with the grand opening of its first Grand Stage store at Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
The store spans two floors and 750 square meters, offering a wide range of footwear and accessories from global brands.
The opening marks the brand’s latest expansion in Southeast Asia following successful launches in South Korea and Vietnam. The Bonifacio Global City branch is one of the first ABC-MART Grand Stage “4.0” stores in the region, featuring enhanced in-store experiences such as a dedicated Wellness Corner and running area.
To mark the occasion, ABC-MART and its local partner, SONAK Retail Group, hosted a launch event that combined elements of fashion, music, and Japanese cultural performances.
The program included Taiko drummers, DJ sets, and traditional games like Otedama, as well as giveaways for early shoppers. The first 100 customers received goodie bags, and various in-store games were held throughout the day.
A ceremonial shoelace untying—an alternative to the traditional ribbon-cutting—was held to mark the official opening.
Present during the ceremony were executives from ABC-MART Japan and the SONAK Retail Group, including Koji Higashimae, CEO of ABC-MART SONAK Philippines, and Anil Buxani, Chairman and CEO of SONAK Retail Group. Local government officials and other stakeholders were also in attendance.
Kabir Buxani, Director of SONAK Retail Group, said the store is designed to be more than just a retail space.
“We’ve made sure to prepare a truly memorable shopping experience for customers. With
this store, we’re introducing not only a wide selection of top footwear brands but also the
spirit of Japanese service and retail innovation that has made ABC-MART Grand Stage a
trusted brand,” Kabir said.
“From the store design to the curated selections and exclusive offerings, every detail was
thoughtfully considered to create a destination that goes beyond just shopping for shoes.
It’s an experience in itself just being in ABC-MART Grand Stage,” the director added.
In addition to the physical store, ABC-MART also launched its official Philippine online store and the ABCLUB loyalty program. Members of the program can access rewards such as cashback, free shipping, birthday discounts, and early access to limited releases.
The new store features collections from brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma, ASICS, Vans, New Balance, Saucony, Salomon, Patrick and Crocs. Limited-edition selections and exclusive product drops are also part of the store’s offerings.
The Grand Stage is located at C1, Bonifacio High Street Central, 5th Avenue corner 28th Street, and is open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
—With Rosette Adel