(SPOT.ph) The shopping scene in Metro Manila is primarily centered around mall culture. Sure, "new normal" shopping (as they call it) is more widespread and accessible than ever before, but for many, heading to a nearby mall to purchase food, clothing, electronics, home essentials, and services is still ideal. Small enterprises and homegrown businesses often mark their success by the ability to open an outpost inside a mall. The biggest and most anticipated store openings almost always take place inside shopping centers or within mall complexes.
After all, traditional shopping (unlike its online or delivery-based counterparts) offers more than just the ability to buy things. On one hand, it's an experience in itself—in the Metro, people go to the mall the way other cultures would take walks outside or head to museums and cultural centers—and on the other, it provides a wider range of purchases. Visit a mall, for example, and you can not only purchase new items, but you can also watch a movie on the big screen, avail of a service, dine out, head to activity centers, and so much more. That's why even though the pandemic has drastically changed our shopping habits and lessened our ability to visit malls, it's hard to detangle Metro Manila natives from mall-centric culture.
We'll probably be relying heavily on online shopping and delivery services for at least a few more months (if not more), so the Metro-wide pastime of malling as we once knew it will still be on hold for a whole. However, there's a newcomer in the e-commerce sphere and they're looking to bring the experience of going to a mall onto your smartphone. Meet Go Shopping Philippines.
Here's everything you need to know about Go Shopping Philippines:
What is Go Shopping Philippines?
Go Shopping Philippines (GSP) is, in essence, an online shopping platform. There's certainly no shortage of e-commerce sites to go around these days, but this Filipino-owned app is looking to take the online shopping experience to the next level. Though online shopping has become an inevitable part of life, that "does not mean the digital way of life cannot be thrilling," said GSP in a press release. Think of the app as a mall in the palm of your hand. "Despite all the existing players in the e-commerce industry, I still see the need for a much bigger platform that is responsive to the interest of the market for a more sophisticated digital lifestyle," says GSP CEO Neil G. La-as.
La-as created the platform in the hopes of improving the online services currently available in the country. He had the idea of creating an e-commerce site that not only supplies products, but guarantees safety for both customers and sellers, an assurance typically provided by malls and shopping centers—not exclusively, but it's a well-known sentiment that transactions made in the online space are often more vulnerable to logistical and monetary risks in a way that traditional shopping usually isn't. Though online shopping has continuously improved and become more convenient—especially in the last year or so—malls still boast a safety net and diversity of offerings that the online space doesn’t have. Go Shopping Philippines wants to change that.
Notable Features to Look Out For
"We do not have the true ease-of-use and trust for online shops in the market yet," contends La-as, but GSP wants to change that. One of the main ways they'll do so is by eliminating any interaction between buyers and sellers. La-as notes that the app will have a dedicated and round-the-clock customer service base to protect and assist its buyers and sellers. That way, GSP's internal team can work to ensure that every transaction is legitimate and completed.
La-as notes that one of the biggest sources of purchase issues when it comes to online shopping is the cash-on-delivery feature. Though GSP will still have it, they’ve taken extra measures to keep the process safe by authenticating buyers. Cash-on-delivery (COD) buyers will be required to submit ID copies and will receive confirmatory calls to verify their orders and ensure their payment method before delivery.
As for its in-app vendors, Go Shopping Philippines is working to ensure the legitimacy of all their partner businesses to protect customers from scams, false advertising, and bogus transactions. To do this, they work only with direct owners and authorized manufacturers and distributors, all of whom are required to comply with requirements to ensure legitimacy. That means no resellers or third-party suppliers will be able to sell on the GSP platform. On top of that, available products will be on-hand so customers can be assured that they will indeed receive their purchases.
What can you buy on Go Shopping Philippines?
On its homepage, the GSP app offers various categories available for purchase including fashion, electronics, beauty and wellness, hardware, department store finds, home stores, specialty stores, food and beverage, pharmacy essentials, supermarket items, and e-services. As of writing, each category only offers a selected number of brands and businesses, though GSP is slowly building their lineup.
But Go Shopping Philippines offers more than just goods and online services. You can also book spa and salon appointments, sign up for classes and activities, and get awesome deals at your favorite restaurants thanks to a partnership with Metrodeal. They've also teamed up with Tourismo PH, an on-demand travel service that can be accessed in the app. That means you can purchase flights, tour packages, cruises, hotel bookings, and more right on the GSP app. They also offer a cool in-app service called GFlix, a video-streaming platform where you can purchase and watch new movies and series, as well as GoCineplex, a 3D virtual theater where you can buy tickets to and watch upcoming movies and live performances. Much like a traditional mall, Go Shopping Philippines offers all the shopping finds, services, activities, and events you can think of all in one place.
Go Shipping Philippines is now available for download for free on the App Store and Google Play Store. They accept payment through COD, bank transfer, credit card, and e-wallet.
For more information, log on to Go Shopping Philippines' Facebook page.
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