Chapter 290: Another Industry Leader Shaking

July 31st, 2028. Quezon City, Philcoa.

News outlets buzzed with the recent acquisition of the old Citi Mall Philcoa by Reyes Corporation. Major Philippine news networks had gathered outside the dilapidated mall, eager to cover the story and interview Michael Reyes about his ambitious plans.

ABS-CBN News Channel

"Good morning, everyone. We're here at the former Citi Mall Philcoa, where Michael Reyes, CEO of Reyes Corporation, has just finalized the purchase of this historic site. The company plans to demolish the old structure and build a new, modern mall. Let's go to our correspondent on the ground, who is with Mr. Reyes right now."

The camera cut to the bustling scene outside the mall, where reporters jostled for position, eager to get their questions answered. Michael stood tall, his confident demeanor radiating as he faced the crowd.

"Mr. Reyes, thank you for speaking with us. Can you share your vision for the new mall?"

"Well, as we all know, the Citi Mall Philcoa was once a vibrant hub in this community. Our vision is to bring that vibrancy back but with a modern twist. We plan to create a destination that offers a mix of shopping, dining, entertainment, and community spaces. We want to make it a place where people can spend an entire day enjoying different activities."

"Mr. Reyes, can you elaborate on what makes your approach different from the previous management?" GMA news reporter asked.

"The key difference is our focus on modernization and sustainability. We'll incorporate the latest technologies, such as smart parking systems and interactive directories. We're also committed to using eco-friendly materials and renewable energy sources, like solar panels, to reduce our carbon footprint."

"Given the competition in the area, how do you plan to stand out?" asked the TV5 news reporter.

"What we always do, is be better in every aspect," Michael answered confidently. "Just like how we always do whenever we enter a new industry."

***

Meanwhile, located in Pasay City, Metro Manila, the headquarters of SM Prime Holdings was abuzz with activity. An emergency meeting had been convened to discuss the recent developments at Citi Mall Philcoa. In a sleek, modern conference room, the top executives of SM Prime were gathered around a large table.

At the head of the table sat the CEO of SM Prime, Henry Sy Jr. He looked around at his team, his expression serious. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, Michael Reyes and his company, Reyes Corporation, have just finalized the purchase of Citi Mall Philcoa. They have ambitious plans to turn it into a state-of-the-art mall. This is a direct challenge to our dominance in the area."

One of the senior executives leaned forward. "Mr. Sy, Reyes Corporation is known for their innovative approach and strong execution. We need to strategize on how to maintain our competitive edge."

Other senior executives chimed in. "Strategize? Why are we convening an emergency meeting over someone like Reyes Corporation starting a mall business? We are already a developed and established leader in the industry."

Henry Sy Jr. responded firmly, "Because Reyes Corporation has a track record of entering industries and disrupting them with innovation and efficiency. We cannot afford to be complacent. The market is changing, and we need to stay ahead."

"Mr. Sy is right. Reyes Corporation has the resources and the vision to make a significant impact. We need to review our current strategies and find ways to innovate further."

Henry nodded. "Exactly. We need to assess our current strengths and identify areas for improvement. Let's start by reviewing our upcoming projects and see where we can integrate more advanced technologies and sustainable practices."

Another senior executive spoke up. "We should also consider enhancing our customer engagement strategies. Hosting more community events, offering unique experiences, and improving our loyalty programs can help us retain our customer base and attract new visitors."

Henry looked around the table, seeing the determined expressions on his team's faces. "This is giving me this new feeling. It has been a while since we felt on the edge before. Because of Mr. Reyes, we now have the opportunity to push ourselves further and show why we are the market leaders. Let's embrace this challenge and come out stronger."

The room filled with nods of agreement as the executives started outlining their action plans. Each department head committed to brainstorming new ideas and strategies to ensure SM Prime remained at the forefront of the retail industry.