French retailer eyes RP garments

MANILA, Philippines - French retail firm Groupe Auchan SA eyes importing garments from the Philippines to supply its shopping centers in Europe and Asia, the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) has said. Product samples of eight Philippine garment companies have passed Auchan’s initial inspection, BETP said in a statement Thursday. Local garment companies will meet with the French firm’s principal buyer in Bangkok next month to finalize supply deals. Mulliez family-owned Auchan operates 1,088 supermarkets and shopping centers in 11 countries in Europe, including France, Spain, and Italy, BETP said. The firm also has sites in Taiwan and mainland China. "Garments exports from China are becoming more expensive, so Philippine goods are now competitive in terms of pricing, quality, and design," Vina Arcenal, BETP Consumer Division point person for the Auchan transaction, said in a phone interview Thursday. While she could not identify the eight local companies involved in the talks with Auchan, Ms. Arcenal cited underwear, sleep-wear, and robes as among the goods that are being considered by the French firm. — J. A. D. Hermosa, BusinessWorld