The author with (from left) Ar. Fred Sibug, Wilcon founder William Belo and Ernie Lopez
It never ceases to amaze me how far Wilcon Depot has gone especially over the last decade. So as it marks an important milestone this year—45 amazing years in the business!—I am all the more excited as I look forward to what the country’s leading home improvement retailer has in store for all of us.
Wilcon Depot SEVP-COO Rosemarie Bosch-Ong
I have been a long time partner of Wilcon Depot and I have personally witnessed how it has grown by leaps and bounds. What started in 1977 as a 60-sqm hardware store has since greatly expanded in terms of store count, geographical reach, product categories, brand selections, features and value added services and shopping options.
As of this writing, Wilcon Depot already has 81 branches in its store portfolio, of which 18 are in Metro Manila while 63 are spread across key cities and municipalities across the country.
Wilcon officials offered a toast to celebrate the company’s 45th year.
That means that it’s just 19 stores away from achieving its goal of putting up 100 operating branches by 2025. And it’s easy to believe that Wilcon can do it. In fact, in the next two months, Wilcon Depot will be opening two more stores in Paniqui, Tarlac and San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.
Expansive home choices
Wilcon’s Design Hub helps homebuilders come up with new and innovative design ideas for their spaces.
Over the past 45 years, Wilcon has also proven that it’s really the “home of big ideas” because almost everything you need for your home, you can find them right here—along with design inspirations and showrooms to help especially those wanting to go the DIY route.
As an interior designer myself, I like the idea of having innumerable top-tier choices on hand, from both here and abroad and across various categories such as tiles, sanitarywares, plumbing, furniture, home interior, building materials, hardware, electrical, appliances and other DIY items. You can never go wrong with Wilcon’s choices because it ensures that every brand it brings on board can offer you top-quality products.
A huge selection of items will surely make your shopping experience a lot more enjoyable.
Even its services have considerably leveled up, making shopping in every Wilcon store more delightful, convenient, and safe—especially in light of the pandemic. Just like everyone else, I want my shopping experience to be easy and seamless.
Good thing that Wilcon stores are spacious and airy, with aisles well spaced out, while product categories are grouped together, making it easier for me to find what I need. It has also added a Design Hub, Home Living Showroom, Tile Studio, and Architects, Builders, Contractors, Designers, and Engineers (ABCDE) Lounge as well as delivery and tile cutting services.
Wilcon continues to implement strict measures to make its stores and corporate offices safer and healthier.
Digital innovations
What’s even more remarkable is the way Wilcon was able to make a quick digital pivot in response to emerging needs and preferences amid the pandemic.
You can shop online (shop.wilcon.com.ph), go for its Browse, Call, and Collect or Deliver options, check out its Wilcon Virtual Tour services, collect points and avail of promos courtesy of the My Wilcon app, or you can immerse yourself in a different shopping experience via the Virtual Reality Store Experience. Wilcon also offers contactless payment options for your convenience.
As of this writing, Wilcon Depot already has 81 branches in its store portfolio, of which 18 are in Metro Manila while 63 are spread across key cities and municipalities across the country.
Beyond all these, I have also witnessed how Wilcon Depot has made a huge difference in the lives of many Filipinos, allowing them to build, improve and refine their homes for a sustainable and comfortable life.
Happy 45th anniversary to Wilcon Depot!