Halloween may be hovering around the corner, yet what is strongly being felt now is the cheerful air of the holidays. So before the mad rush of shoppers begins, consider this nice list as your gift guide:
MUJI AT GLORIETTA
MUJI, which is short for Mujirushi Ryohin, meaning ‘no-brand quality goods,’ opened its largest and first flagship store in the Philippines at Glorietta Mall in Makati City. Embodying its retail mantra of ‘simplicity, functionality, and thoughtful design,’ it offers more than 7,000 meticulously designed products such as clothing and household essentials to food, furniture, and interior-design solutions.
The Japanese lifestyle brand covers approximately over 2,600 square meters, housing the largest Coffee Counter, which can sit around 122 diners, and the newest and unique Muji Bakery, which is exclusive to this store and a first in the Philippines.
ABC-MART AT BGC
Japan’s famed footwear retail giant ABC-MART Grand Stage officially opens at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City. Spanning two floors and 750 square meters, the store is a haven for shoe and sportswear lovers. ‘From the store design to the curated selections and exclusive offerings, every detail was thoughtfully considered to create a destination that goes beyond just shopping for shoes. It’s an experience in itself just being in [inside the store],’ said Kabir Buxani, director of the SONAK Retail Group.
UNIQLO AT GREENHILLS
Uniqlo opens its 80th store in the Philippines at Greenhills Mall, San Juan. The brand’s LifeWear Apparel, which comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity, is front and center.
The opening of a new branch was also an opportunity to advance the brand’s strong sustainability efforts, as it partnered with the San Juan-based Performing Arts and Recreation Center (PARC) Foundation to provide LifeWear items and a day of fun to its young beneficiaries. The PARC is a non-profit organization that harnesses the power of performing arts to transform lives, especially of the youth.
SIP2GLOW
Sip2Glow is a drink whose mission is to provide scientific, natural and effective beauty solutions that empower women to achieve beauty from within.
Sip2Glow’s Medical Consultant Dr. Rico Sebastian shared: ‘Achieving truly radiant skin means working from the inside out and that’s where Sip2Glow’s Advanced Collagen Drink and Advanced Brightening Drink work perfectly together. While collagen strengthens the skin’s foundation by improving elasticity, reducing wrinkles, and supporting healthy hair and nails, the brightening drink boosts your glow with Glutathione, White Tomato, and Hyaluronic Acid to lighten dark spots, even out skin tone, and deeply hydrate. Together, they build and reveal your healthiest, glowiest skin-firm, smooth, and naturally luminous.’
NIVEA EXTRA BRIGHT BODY SERUM
THIS product comes in two variants: the pink bottle is infused with vitamins C and A for a supple, dewy glow, while the orange version combines vitamins C and E to deliver bouncy, radiant skin.
This game-changing body serum is formulated to deeply nourish, hydrate and brighten the skin, powered by their first ever Triple Bright Power combination-consisting of 50x Pure Vitamin C for intense skin brightening, Glutathione for the revitalization of dull skin, and Niacinamide for a smooth, even skin tone. ‘This new product has triple bright power and your skin stays visibly bright and beautiful. Own your confidence because it starts with how you feel in your own skin,’ shared Cat Relator, the brand manager for body and creams.
NEW MOON PH
NEW Moon PH, a leading wellness and beauty brand, is holding Power Within, a heartfelt campaign running from September to October 2025 in honor of PCOS Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.
At the heart of this campaign is Jonah Sison-Ramos, the CEO: ‘As someone who has experienced the challenges of PCOS, I know how important it is to have access to support, awareness, and the right wellness tools. With this campaign, we want women to know they are not alone, and that taking care of themselves is an act of power,’ she shared, as her brand’s Hormo Balance partnered with Miss Universe Philippines 2025 queens. Hormo Balance may help support cycles, skin clarity, mood and energy-so you can feel more balanced from within. It also supports regular menstrual cycles, reduces acne and unwanted hair, improves fertility potential, and stabilizes mood and energy levels.
KIM SUNOO FOR 8SECONDS
K-pop idol Kim Sunoo of Enhypen graced the opening of the South Korean fashion brand 8seconds’ flagship store at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, its first store outside of his country.
8seconds, a casual-wear brand that offers products with good quality, diverse concepts, and reasonable price ranges at a faster speed, also aims to break away from repetitive routines and similar styles.
Its second store is set to open at Uptown Mall in Bonifacio Global City later this year.
MAX MARA AT GREENBELT
Max Mara, the Italian fashion brand that markets upscale ready-to-wear clothing, introduces the Whitney Bag at its Greenbelt 3 store in Makati.
‘Research, design and innovation are the common values that link the Whitney Bag to the brand’s DNA. Architectural elements, expressed in rigorous lines and distinctive details, are as much a feature of the coats as they are of the Whitney Bag-inspired by the famous Whitney Museum in New York,’ said Maria Giulia Prezioso Maramotti, Max Mara Fashion Group Board Member, in a statement.
The Whitney Bag is a one-of-a-kind creation that owes its uniqueness to the collaboration with the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Its distinctive design and rigorous lines have allowed it to be created in various sizes and colors to meet the needs of the fashionable Filipina.
JERICHO ROSALES FOR VISION EXPRESS
Vision Express, which offers state-of-the-art vision care technology paired with a truly personal approach to eye care, launched its Unwrap the Holidays campaign with Kapamilya actor Jericho Rosales. In time for the holidays, shoppers can enjoy a Buy One, Get One (BOGO) promotion on premium eyewear ongoing until December 31. ‘The real gift for Christmas is good food, deep conversations, and being in the company of family and friends,’ shared Rosales. ‘Eyewear is the easiest yet most underrated accessory that can transform an outfit. Every moment is a gift, wrapped in Vision Express’ signature style.’