The 25th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo (NRCE) 2018 - organized by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), the country’s biggest organization of top-notch retailers and prime movers in the retail industry - lived up to its billing as the most important and grandest retail industry event in the country as it was attended by over a thousand top executives of retail giants in the local and international markets. Guest of Honor Senator Grace Poe (4th from right), opens the two-day Stores Asia Expo 2018 on Thursday at the SMX Convention Center as she recognized the importance of the retail industry and its contribution to the country’s overall economic output. Joining Sen. Poe are the PRA board and officers: PRA Chairman Emeritus Samie Lim (4th from left), chairman of BLIMS Lifestyle Group, Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute; PRA President Rosemarie Bosch Ong (center), SEVP-Chief Operating Officer of Wilcon Depot Inc.; PRA Vice Chairman Mars Chua (left), president of Sportshouse; PRA Vice Chairman Jorge T. Mendiola (2nd from left), Director, SM Retail Inc.; PRA Vice Chairman Roberto “Bobby” Claudio (3rd from left), Chairman, Toby’s Sports; PRA Chairman Atty. Paul Santos (3rd from right), president of Picture City; PRA Vice Chairman Lorenzo “Enchong” C. Formoso (2nd from right), vice chairman of Federation of Asia Pacific Retailers Associations (FAPRA) and director of Ace Hardware; and PRA Director Arthur Coronel (right), Chief Executive Officer, Cinderella Mktg. Corp. Stores Asia Expo 2018 is a twin event of the National Retailers Conference.