RSC becomes exclusive Philippine retailer for English Tea Shop Products
From L-R: Jun Cochanco, President of Fly Ace; Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi, Event Host; Robina Gokongwei-Pe, President & CEO of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.; Suranga Herath, Founder & CEO of English Tea Shop; Daniel Pearce, UK Ambassador to the Philippines ; Rachael Morgan, wife of UK Ambassador; Evelyn Cochanco, General Manager of Clever Cats International; and Jody Gadia, General Manager of Robinsons Supermarket.
Described as a “a match made in heaven” by General Manager Jody Gadia, Robinsons Supermarket recently partnered with premium tea producer English Tea Shop to bring sustainable tea choices to Filipino consumers. Locally and exclusively distributed by Clever Cats International, English Tea Shop products can now be bought at all Robinsons Supermarket and Robinsons Selections stores nationwide.
The launch was held at the Owners’ Lounge of Raffles Residences, appropriately conducted as an afternoon tea party with the United Kingdom Ambassador to the Philippines, Daniel Pearce, and his wife Rachael Morgan; and executives from Robinsons Supermarket, English Tea Shop, Clever Cats International, and Fly Ace Corporation.
English Tea Shop Founder & CEO Suranga Herath shared the company’s vision of thoughtfully crafting products that celebrate communities.
Suranga Herath, Founder & CEO of English Tea Shop
“Not only do we focus on providing our farmers with tools, education and financial assistance, our fair-trade price culture ensures that they are able to take home a pay beyond what’s expected, with long term and stable contracts to begin with. In return, consumers are assured of products that are marked by its hallmark quality, innovativeness and passion that is unlike any other,” said Herath.
The company was founded in 2010 and creates its tea blends in its factory in Sri Lanka. It is currently present in 55 countries and, certified by the Soil Association and Fairtrade International, the brand sources its raw material from small farmers around the globe, where the special care is taken at every stage of production. The farmers are paid a premium on top of the Fairtrade price and the tea is grown without chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The tea leaves are hand-picked during harvest time and to further reduce their carbon footprint, they are carefully packaged by hand as well.
Evelyn Cochanco, General Manager of Clever Cats International Company is joined by Robinsons Supermarket executives (R-L): Mai Magleo, AVP for Food; Jody Gadia, General Manager; Maricar Catubay, Division Merchandising Manager for Food ; and Karen Laureano, Food Buyer.
“Robinsons Supermarket and Robinsons Selections are the perfect platforms to introduce the brand to the mainstream Philippine market. There is a growing sense of responsibility among our buyers in making healthier choices, both for themselves and for the planet. Aside from the health benefits of the tea itself, which is elevated by English Tea Shop into 130 variants, our partnership also marks our support for sustainability that is consistent with our thrust on health and wellness,” shared Gadia.