Furniture shop reaps benefits of successful rebranding

Eric Alvin Po, owner of Mav

This entrepreneur is reaping the benefits of a successful rebranding of his furniture shop, Mav.

Mav opened some six years ago and was doing well. But since the rebranding, when it offered more reasonably priced items that cater to a wider middle class rather than selling high priced items only, business grew some 80 percent.

Of course, Mav also has the aggressive growth of real estate in the country to thank for. After all, it is pieces of furniture that turn a bare space into a cozy home; an accent piece can provide a touch of elegance and sophistication to a hotel room or lobby.

"We produce a limited number of pieces for every item we have. Many of our items are perfect for individuals or families that are moving into a condominium unit, though we cater to commercial clients as well," Eric Alvin Po, owner of Mav, told Kenneth del Rosario of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Mav sells pieces with a more classic design and feel. Many of the items in Mav feature metals and irons, as well as upholstered pieces.

Located along Arnaiz Avenue in Makati City, Po said its 200-sqm store houses new items every three of four months. Aside from beds and chairs, Mav offers windows blinds, wine racks, lamps, wall accents, perimeter lighting, and wall dividers, among many others. Many items in the store have tag prices that range from P20,000 to P100,000.

"People are coming back to loving items that can be considered as classic, but not items that are too splashy. Filipinos have really become more adventurous when it comes to the furniture at home," Po said.

Most items in Mav come from the US, China, and across the Philippines. Po proves that one doesn't need formal training in designing to create beautiful pieces. He designs pieces as well, mostly tables. Displays at Mav store virtually change every three to five months.

The furniture business is not at all saturated, he said. But one advantage that Mav is that it can deliver items in as fast as seven days, whatever part of the country you may be.

"We have foreign clients or balikbayan who are only in the country for several days so they want to be able to have the item they bought in their homes before they go fly overseas again. Usually, they would come inside our stores and buy everything from there. Our ready stocks have worked wonders for us," he said.

Mav also has expert designers and interior decorators that can readily help clients choose what they want from the store, whether customers come to furnish their dining, bedroom, living room, or outdoor area of the house.

*** Editor's Note: This article, written by yours truly, first appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on May 18, 2013. It has been heavily edited for TWIST. Enjoy! ***