WHEN you’re a home-improvement buff, you probably wax poetic over things like
hardwood floors and state-of-the-art bathroom fixtures. You drool over wallpaper. And you have deep and insightful discussions over track lighting with your local electrician.
I’m not a home-improvement buff. When it comes to home features, I’m what is politely called a minimalist. Clean floors, clean sheets, and a dry, hygienically sound kitchen are all I need to get by. Throw in a monster TV to watch my procedurals, and I’m good to go.
If you’re a home-improvement junkie, I can imagine a visit to Wilcon Depot (www.wilcon.com.ph) is a pleasant way to spend your lazy Saturday afternoons—like a trip to the candy store on Christmas morning. A real treat.
And why not? It’s a one-stop shop for all your home-improvement/construction/home décor needs. You can buy your kitchen sink, select your wallpaper and check out new tiles for your patio in one go.
Not only that, you can even shop around for appliances like refrigerators, washing machines and TVs while picking up a few waffle makers and blenders in the process. (How’s that for multitasking?)
Whether you’re a home-improvement junkie or a laid-back homeowner, you won’t be able to keep yourself from sighing over their selection of bathtubs or beddings. Or beds, for that matter.
Want to kick-start your holiday preparations? Wilcon has a wide selection of Christmas trimmings on offer. These include Christmas trees, lights, holiday bric-a-brac and papier mâché reindeer. So you can either be prudent, or go on a wanton Christmas rampage. And all without dodging elbows or putting up with long, slow-moving lines at the checkout counter, which is the norm at your favorite mall the minute the “ber” months come around.
Small wonder residents consider a Wilcon Depot a welcome upgrade to their neighborhood.
STAR-STUDDED
I CAN imagine this is exactly how residents of Santa Rosa, Laguna, felt when the company’s 37th store was unveiled. The new large-format homebuilding and construction retail outlet, on Tagaytay Road in Barangay Pulong, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Laguna, opened to much fanfare recently.
Local officials, many of whom graced the event, pulled out all the stops to make opening day memorable, beginning with a motorcade around the neighboring areas of Laguna. Led by the company’s mascot Wil, the parade later filled up to accommodate Wilcon’s valued suppliers and partners.
Wilcon founder and Chairman William Belo, SEVP-COO Rosemarie Ong, President and CEO Lorraine Belo, AVP for Business Development and CFO Mark Belo, and Executive Financial Audit Manager and Product Director Careen Belo were joined by Rep. Hon. Arlene Arcillas of the First District of Laguna and Santa Rosa, Laguna, Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas, together with special guests UAP National Vice President Arch. Maria Nina Bailon-Arce, Philippine Institute of Interior Designers College of Fellows Chancellor Dr. Johnny Hubilla and Wilcon Brand Ambassador Tessa Prieto-Valdes.
Among those who were present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were industry partners Alen Alban, country manager of LIXIL Water Technologies; Sidantha Tantirimudalige, SVP for Southeast Asia of Franke Kitchen Systems; and Jakkrit Suwansilp, VP for sales and marketing of Mariwasa Siam Ceramics.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony was the store blessing and showering of coins, to represent and attract good fortune and prosperity. Afterward, guests were ushered into the program proper held inside the brand-new Wilcon Santa Rosa store.
Hosted by prominent society columnist and host Johnny Litton, the guests were treated to an afternoon of celebration. “We are particularly excited to be launching in your town, as we believe in its robust potential to grow and become an industry hub in the country, where businesses flourish and respond to the increasing home and construction needs of the town and its neighboring communities,” Wilcon’s Rosemarie Ong said about the Laguna expansion.
BIG IDEAS
THE company also launched Wilcon Digi, a network created to be accessed inside Wilcon stores. When a user connects to Wilcon Digi through a smartphone, he or she will be linked to a portal of information about the store, corporate values, news and events, services, product information and practical home tips. Wilcon loyalists can continue to enjoy services provided by the company, which aims to live up to its tagline: “Building Big Ideas.”
Laid out in the same sprawling style as all the other Wilcon outlets, customers can browse without worrying about who or what they bump into.
There are plenty of helpful directional signages and directories that make shopping a breeze. Among the various product showrooms and brands are Grohe and Kohler Sanitarywares, Franke Kitchen Systems, Pozzi Bathroom Solutions, Koller Bathtubs and Shower Accessories, Ariston Water Heaters, Rocersa and Grespania Tiles, and Heim Furniture and Home Interior products. Customers can also enjoy value-added services, such as free parking spaces and reliable delivery service.
DESIGN HUB
THE creative customer can also test his or her skills with Design Hub, a service that allows customers to create their own design through a computer software with cost estimates and product lists made available inside the store.
Moreover, subscribers to the Wilcon Loyalty Card Program have the opportunity to earn points for every purchase and enjoy exclusive member perks. In partnership with Rubi Tile Cutters, Wilcon also offers tile-cutting services for only a minimal fee, to help homebuilders with their home projects.
“Wilcon wants to make a difference in the home-building activities of our customers and our society. We’re fulfilled whenever we do our job of supplying, assisting and providing solutions for the people. And in our almost four decades of presence in the construction retail industry, we are constantly moving forward to making home building easier and more convenient,” Wilcon founder and Chairman William Belo said.