SSI brings Canadian fashion retailer Joe Fresh to PH

SPECIALTY retailer SSI Group has entered into a deal to bring to the Philippines Joe Fresh, one of Canada’s leading fashion retailers.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, SSI said it had entered into a franchise partnership with Loblaw Companies Ltd. and its affiliates, the owners of Joe Fresh, to open free- standing Joe Fresh stores in the local market starting first half of 2016.

“We are very excited for the addition of Joe Fresh to our portfolio of brands. Joe Fresh further strengthens our lineup of value brands, allowing us to tap and delight an even broader base of Philippine consumers,” SSI president Anthony Huang said in a press statement.

“We are pleased to introduce Joe Fresh to the expanding Philippines retail landscape. There is no better partner than SSI Group, Inc. to deliver our message of essential, modern style and exceptional value to this dynamic market. Building on SSI Group’s unparalleled expertise in the region, we look forward to creating an exciting and accessible new fashion choice for consumers in the Philippines,” said Mario Grauso, President of Joe Fresh.

Founded in 2006, Joe Fresh offers what have been described as “well-designed” and “well-priced” collections for women, men and children. Assortments include apparel, accessories, footwear and cosmetics. The brand is sold in over 350 locations in Canada, including 12 freestanding stores and using online platform JoeFresh.com. In the United States, Joe Fresh is available in four freestanding stores and online.

Since 2014, Joe Fresh has entered new overseas markets like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates with local partners.

For its part, the Tantoco family-led SSI represents 112 brands in more than 740 stores across the Philippines. In partnership with Ayala Land, Inc. and FamilyMart Japan, SSI also operates the FamilyMart chain of convenience stores and, together with Ayala Land, the Wellworth department store chain.