NRCE 2026 Sponsors and Partners Help Drive Philippine Retail’s “New. Next. Forward.” Journey
5 min read
NRCE 2026 Sponsors and Partners Help Drive Philippine Retail’s “New. Next. Forward.” Journey
MANILA, Philippines — The success of the 32nd National Retail Conference and Expo (NRCE) 2026 was supported by a broad network of companies and organizations that came together to help advance conversations on innovation, technology, customer experience, and the future of Philippine retail.
Held on August 6 and 7 at the SMX Convention Center Manila under the theme “New. Next. Forward.”, NRCE 2026 brought together retailers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, technology providers, suppliers, and other industry stakeholders.
The event also carried special significance as the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) marked its 50th anniversary, making the conference both a celebration of five decades of retail industry development and a platform for examining the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Behind the two-day conference and exhibition was a diverse roster of sponsors and partners representing different segments of the business ecosystem.
SM Retail Leads as Diamond Sponsor
SM Retail served as the Diamond Sponsor of NRCE 2026, supporting the industry’s largest annual gathering of retailers and business stakeholders.
Its participation complemented the conference’s focus on customer-centricity, innovation, operational excellence, and the continuing evolution of Philippine retail.
The partnership was also particularly significant during the PRA’s 50th anniversary year, as the association highlighted the importance of collaboration in strengthening the industry’s future.
Seven Companies Join as Platinum Sponsors
The event’s Platinum Sponsors reflected the growing role of technology, connectivity, data and business transformation in modern retail.
They were ETP International PTE LTD, RELEX, Argon & Co, Globe Business, Converge Global Business, PLDT Enterprise and Salesforce.
The companies represented capabilities spanning digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation, data, supply-chain management, enterprise technology and connectivity—areas that increasingly influence how retailers operate and serve customers.
Their participation also complemented the conference discussions on how businesses can use technology not simply as an expense, but as a strategic tool for solving operational challenges, improving efficiency and creating better customer experiences.
Gold Sponsors Reflect Retail’s Diverse Landscape
NRCE 2026 also received support from Gold Sponsors Ayala Malls, Centric Software, Unilab, Araneta City, and Robinsons Malls.
Their involvement highlighted the diversity of the retail ecosystem, from shopping centers and consumer-facing businesses to retail technology and product development.
The presence of these companies provided delegates with opportunities to explore different approaches to customer engagement, merchandising, shopping experiences, technology adoption, and business growth.
It also reinforced the broader message of NRCE 2026: innovation in retail is not confined to one format or one industry segment.
Silver Sponsors Add to Industry Collaboration
The conference was further supported by Silver Sponsors Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Wilcon Depot and Bayer Philippines.
Their participation expanded the range of industries represented at NRCE and illustrated how retail intersects with property, consumer products, healthcare, home improvement and other sectors.
Such cross-industry participation is increasingly important as consumer expectations and technologies move across traditional industry boundaries.
Businesses are now learning not only from direct competitors, but also from companies operating in entirely different categories.
Official Partners Extend the Reach of NRCE
A group of Official Partners also contributed to the success of NRCE 2026. These included InnovationOne, TBWA\SMP, AVolution, The Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, BusinessWorld, The Manila Times and NegoSentro.
Their contributions represented different aspects of the broader retail ecosystem, including innovation, communications, creative services and media.
The involvement of these organizations helped strengthen the conference as a platform not only for business networking but also for sharing ideas and extending industry conversations beyond the event venue.
Additional Sponsors Support the Retail Community
NRCE 2026 also received support from CMG Retail Inc., EcloudValley and Sportshouse.
Although operating in different areas, the organizations shared a common connection to the wider retail and business community and contributed to the event’s broader ecosystem of suppliers, service providers and industry stakeholders.
The diversity of the sponsor roster underscored the changing nature of retail itself.
Modern retail increasingly depends on an interconnected network of technology providers, telecommunications companies, consultants, property developers, consumer brands, creative organizations and business service providers.
Media Sponsors Help Extend the NRCE Conversation
The impact of NRCE 2026 also extended beyond the SMX Convention Center through the participation of its media sponsors and partners.
Among those supporting the event were The Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, BusinessWorld, The Manila Times and NegoSentro.
Their participation helped bring NRCE stories and industry discussions to a broader audience, allowing insights from the conference and exhibition to reach business owners, executives, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders beyond those who attended the event.
The role of media has become increasingly important as retail transformation accelerates. Discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, digital commerce, customer experience, sustainability and Filipino brand competitiveness have implications well beyond the retail industry itself.
Through news coverage, digital publishing and online amplification, media organizations help turn industry events into continuing conversations.
A Network Behind the “New. Next. Forward.” Message
The sponsor and partner roster reflected the central message of NRCE 2026.
“New” represented the technologies, ideas, and business models reshaping retail.
“Next” pointed toward emerging opportunities and the need for businesses to anticipate change.
“Forward” emphasized the importance of taking action.
For the Philippine retail industry, the participation of companies across multiple sectors demonstrated that the future of commerce will depend increasingly on collaboration.
Retailers need technology partners. Technology companies need businesses willing to innovate. Consumers need better experiences. Media organizations help circulate knowledge. Consultants and service providers help businesses implement change.
Each plays a role in moving the industry forward.
PRA Marks 50 Years With a Strong Industry Network
The breadth of support for NRCE 2026 was particularly meaningful as the Philippine Retailers Association celebrated its 50th anniversary.
For five decades, PRA has served as a platform for retailers and related businesses to collaborate, exchange knowledge and contribute to the development of the Philippine retail sector.
NRCE 2026 demonstrated how that role continues to evolve as the industry faces a new generation of challenges involving artificial intelligence, digital transformation, changing consumer behavior, sustainability and global competitiveness.
The event’s sponsors and partners formed an important part of that continuing journey.
Their support helped create opportunities for businesses to discover new solutions, establish connections, explore partnerships and gain insights into the forces shaping the market.
A Collective Contribution to Philippine Retail
The success of NRCE 2026 ultimately reflected more than the work of its organizers. It demonstrated what can happen when businesses, industry organizations, technology providers and media companies come together around a common platform.
The PRA’s recognition of its sponsors, official partners and media supporters highlighted their contribution to creating an environment where ideas could be exchanged, business relationships could develop, and retailers could prepare for the future.
As Philippine retail enters another period of rapid transformation, the lessons from NRCE 2026 remain relevant: businesses will need to learn faster, adapt more quickly, embrace useful technologies and continue putting customers at the center of their decisions.
But they will also need partners.
And the extensive network behind NRCE 2026 demonstrated that Philippine retail has a growing ecosystem ready to help businesses take that next step.
New. Next. Forward.
The journey of Philippine retail continues—with collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to building what comes next.
