As shoppers who frequently only see the front of stores and stalls, we don’t always have an accurate idea of what goes on behind the scenes. That’s especially true during this pandemic.

On the outside, we see our favorite shops and restaurants going digital and strengthening their e-commerce platforms, but it’s not as easy as it looks. It’s not a simple matter of changing from physical to digital. They now have to repackage their products or even change what they’re selling entirely. 

This is especially challenging for local MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) because they rarely have the funds to keep operations going when logistical challenges happen for more than a few months. This not only affects production but the direct source of income of many workers.

But these brands made it happen. Check out how they successfully and creatively pivoted their businesses. 

Silverworks

When someone brings up the brand Silverworks, we immediately think of the familiar stalls in many Philippine shopping malls. For 30 years now, the brand continues to be relevant with their creative and affordable silver jewelry pieces.

But when the pandemic hit, most Filipinos just weren’t looking to purchase earrings and necklaces. There was also no place to put employees because malls were closed for a number of months. 

Their solution: switch to urban farming. 

Louie Ocampo Gutierrez, Managing Director of Silverworks, borrowed an empty lot in their village for urban farming. Silverworks employees weren’t only given an alternative means to earn money, but the brand also implemented personal advocacies like proper waste management and food sustainability. 

Today, Silverworks has a strong online presence and has successfully transitioned to e-commerce. For their on-ground stores, they’re finally open in most SM malls.  

Oryspa

You may know Oryspa for their Asian beauty products, ranging from oils, soaps and shampoos, body lotions and body scrubs, and even pain relief balms. 

As much as many of us might want to visit our favorite spas at this point, that’s simply not a  priority. 

Oryspa made sure that they stayed accessible by offering cashless payments, pick-up services, and by strengthening their online presence. With this, they commit to delivering a slice of your favorite spa experience at home.

More than these remarketing strategies, what’s amazing about Oryspa is how they completely entered a new category: healthcare. They shifted from concocting fragrances to producing 70% alcohol sanitizers and disinfecting agents for hospitals and LGUs (local government units).

Bike Plus

Speaking of shifting industries, Johnny King Jr., owner of Bike Plus, found himself in an unusual predicament when the pandemic hit. 

At first, he was as anxious as most small business owners because of mall closures. But who could have predicted that bikes would be the main mode of transportation for many frontliners?

Eventually, as the quarantine restrictions relaxed, biking became even more mainstream, and it became the safest way to travel. 

Grateful for how his business turned around, Johnny made sure to give back by donating bikes, food packs, personal protective equipment, and bicycle reflectors to frontliners in need. According to him, “It’s not always about business and profit. We also have to help our communities during these uncertain times.”

The Lost Bread

Known for its over-the-top milkshakes and unique ice cream flavors, The Lost Bread is an Instagram-favorite. The store is a hit for young customers, not only because of its quirky menu but for the experience you get when you visit their store.

The process goes like this: purchase, take a photo, upload, and enjoy. 

But like many other stores, The Lost Bread hit a wall when the malls closed in March 2020. How could they sell an experience if their customers can’t even get out of the house?

And then an idea hit – to bring The Lost Bread ice creams to Filipino homes. They’ve developed a hard ice cream line to be delivery-friendly and are also reevaluating new goals and strategies.

Yamang Bukid

The core of Yamang Bukid has always been about giving back. When it transformed from an itinerant table on the road into staple kiosks at several malls, farmer-businessman Rene Maduro strove to convert a parcel of land under threat from illegal logging in Puerto Princesa and turned it into a farm. The business also proudly sent around 500 students to school, most of whom are now professionals. 

The actions of the brand are consistent with its message: to promote health and overall well-being.

Yamang Bukid is in the business of organic products and natural food supplements. When the pandemic hit, they gave their workers free products that they could sell for their own income, despite the fact that many of Yamang Bukid’s kiosks and stores weren’t able to operate.

All these brands not only show the signature creativity and grit that Filipinos continue to exhibit. They also show the value of malasakit towards each other – between employees and bosses, brand to consumers, and human to human. 

Through these stories, let’s be reminded that getting through adversity isn’t an individual challenge. It’s also with this same idea that SM Supermalls continues to help tenants and partner brands with rental relief policies, virtual mall projects, marketing support, and media presence. 

Even before the pandemic hit, SM has always been a marketplace, community, and partner of MSMEs. They not only continue to be a reliable partner today but are firmly committed to being home to a variety of businesses for years to come. As more and more malls are now opening to the public, SM Supermalls hopes to sustain the livelihood of community enterprise partners – such as the local weavers, craftsmen, and artisans – by supporting local brands bounce forward. – Rappler.com