Leaders of Luxury: Jappy Gonzalez, CEO of H&F Retail Concepts
Robb Report Philippines’ Design Issue (July 2025) celebrates the Leaders of LuxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary—those who set the standard in the landscape of lifestyle retail, home décor, furniture, and fashion.
We’ve been around for 30 years, and over that time, we’ve developed a distinct identity—our DNA. That identity is the foundation of everything we do, especially when selecting the brands we represent. For us, the brands we partner with must align with who we are. That alignment is what connects us to both the marketplace and the community, and we serve as cultural interlopers in that exchange.
We operate at the intersection of relevance and irreverence, a space that’s difficult to define, but one we’ve made our own. Over the years, we’ve become a barometer for what our community values and stands for.
We built our community over the years. We understand what they want and need, and we’ve earned their trust by consistently delivering. After three decades, we’re now seeing the second generation come through our doors. The children of our original customers are shopping with us, and that speaks to the relevance we’ve maintained across generations. That’s something incredibly rare in today’s retail landscape.
Of course, we face challenges like any retailer, especially from external forces. Geopolitical events, whether it’s U.S. politics, the war in Ukraine, or the conflict in Gaza, may seem distant, but the issues and events are also far-reaching and have very real effects on supply chains and consumer confidence. These aren’t issues marketing alone can solve.
In today’s market, key opinion leaders (KOLs) and social media are crucial. This generation consumes information visually and rapidly, and platforms like Instagram help us reach them directly. These tools aren’t just about visibility, they help us grow, enter new markets, and form new relationships. We speak to a very specific, highly selective audience, and staying relevant to them is extremely important.
One way we reach new audiences is through our e-commerce platform. KOLs and social media help drive traffic to our site, where we aim to convert interest into action. While we focus on offering items that are easy to purchase online, we understand that in our market, unlike more
developed ones, shoppers may still prefer to experience the product in person. For us, e-commerce is less about direct sales and more about exposure. It sparks curiosity and ultimately drives people to our stores.
Our original business model flips the typical new retail script. In developed markets, brands now often begin online, then expand into physical locations to strengthen their identity. They realize that physical stores give people a tangible sense of what a brand represents. Digital is efficient, but transactional. A store, on the other hand, is emotional and immersive. It’s not just about buying—it’s about feeling a connection.
As told to Alicia Colby-Sy. Photos: Joseph Pascual