PLDT Global, with its new partners Samsung Electronics Philippines and SM Global Pinoy, has relaunched the SMART Pinoy Store, the first “one-stop” e-commerce site that caters to the growing market of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Initially launched in November 2010, the SMART Pinoy Store is an effort to broaden the portfolio of products and services being offered to overseas Filipino workers. Now with its new partners, the online store offers a wide array of products and services that are within the reach of Filipino workers abroad such as call and text loads, payment for utility bills, educational plans, and medical services, and other available goods for their families in the Philippines.
“We are very excited for this partnership that will not only help us tap the growing market of Filipinos abroad but also allows them to conveniently purchase their products of choice for their families here,” said Eric Alberto, PLDT EVP and Enterprise, International, and Carrier Business Head. “And with our newest partners for the SMART Pinoy Stores, we are confident that we will be able to showcase our #expressALAGA brand for our OFWs,” he adds.
Under the partnership, Samsung will offer its appliances and gadgets at discounted prices, while SM Global Pinoy will sell SM gift certificates that can be used to purchase items from all SM retail stores and affiliates. A total of 1,000 SM Global Pinoy cards will be given away to OFW families for them to have access to SM Global Pinoy Centers all over the country and be entitled to perks and discounts in selected stores in SM malls.
“Through the SMART Pinoy Store, OFWs can send gifts to make their presence felt during special occasions. OFWs can also participate in family decision-making since they can directly make payments for the household. Though Filipinos take the sacrifice of working abroad, they ultimately value their families, which is why we are helping them express their love and concern for families, with just a few clicks,” said PLDT Global President and CEO Alex Caeg.
According to Glenn Ang, SVP of SM Supermalls and Program Director of SM Global Pinoy, the SM Global Pinoy Centers provide lounges for OFW beneficiaries where they can pick their remittances, relax, entertain, and call their relatives abroad for free.
The SMART Pinoy Stores are now strategically located in eight countries where there are many overseas Filipino workers. These include Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Guam, European Union, Macao and the United Kingdom. And soon it will enter the North American market in the West Coast. Presently, there are 4,000 OFWs who are subscribing to the site.
Through SMART Pinoy Stores overseas and its online portal, https://store.smartpinoy.com, Samsung’s product lines will be carried by PLDT so that OFWs anywhere in the world can pay directly and have their items delivered to their loved ones anywhere in the country. OFWs would just have to log in online or transact in any SMART Pinoy Store outlet, select their Samsung product of choice, and pay for the item online.
“We welcome this partnership as it gives us the opportunity to offer Samsung’s range of products to our overseas Filipinos who would want to provide the latest gadgets and appliances for their families,” said Samsung Electronics Philippines’ President and CEO Chung Lyong Lee.
