“Go Lokal! is not just about going local. It is about being multi-local – the appreciation of Philippine traditions, patterns, colors, and style that may be local to us, but exotic to others.” - Department of Trade and Industry
The program has already helped almost 500 retailers in more than 100 stores all over the country, and it seeks to assist more MSMEs in the future.
WHEN officials of the Department of Trade and Industry came up with the idea of Go Lokal!, they were thinking of how micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) would survive and prosper during the time of the pandemic.
Through this project, these businesses may gain opportunities to become relevant in the eyes of their target customers through incubation, marketing, and branding.
Filipino brands’ excellence
Also through Go Lokal!, the DTI also wanted to showcase the excellence of Filipino brands for coming up with products that are not only delicious and homegrown but are also crowd favorites.
Go Lokal! has a shopping space in Makati designed by the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) where all the products of their partner-brands are displayed on the shelves, available for everybody to grab and purchase.
And because people rely heavily on online platforms to shop as a way of minimizing going outside in hopes of staying safe from the virus, Go Lokal! also put up its Lazada and Shopee stores.
Its partner-brands under the food and beverage industry include My Kaffea (coffee blends with coconut sugar), JustFruit Inc. (freeze-dried fruits), Santiago Craft Brewery and Malthouse (craft beer), Dielles Apiary and Meadery Inc. (honey wines), Oh So Healthy! (guilt-free snacks) and more!
Go Lokal! is such a good way to empower MSMEs and local brands to help boost their sales and market reach.
The program has already helped almost 500 retailers in more than 100 stores all over the country, and it seeks to assist more MSMEs in the future.
“Go Lokal! is not just about going local. It is about being multi-local – the appreciation of Philippine traditions, patterns, colors, and style that may be local to us, but exotic to others,” says DTI.
It helps customers view local brands through the kind of lens that associates relevance and quality because Filipino MSMEs are hugely relevant to strengthening the economy and the image of Filipino products. (EFO)