Legally Bland

I went to Robinson's Place Midtown today and I was hoping I'd see some fantastic find in this Greenbelt copycat. They've been brandishing the new stores and new concepts they have unveiled since their re-branding. On top of that, they were having a clearance sale of sorts. So I thought I'd find good stuff today. I was prepared to shop a little and feel guilty after, but today was rather a disappointment.

Aside from the fact that the crowd was not as heavy as I expected it to be, the merchandise are all ugly. I am not just talking about Rob in general, but even the other stores. There was some kind of ugliness happening all around.

First off, there are hardly any good looking shoes and sneaks out there now. Except for my all time favorite Puma, there was hardly anything new. And technically it's not new since I've that pair in HK already. Actually, I already own a pair in another color scheme. I had that in silver, but they were selling it now in black. It was just so nice. But then again, Im on shopping embargo now in Puma, until i've fully worn out at least one pair. So I skeedadled and looked for other pairs in other stores. None. Nothing nice. Nothing new. Nothing even short of curious.

Second, long sleeves. I normally love the stuff in CK Jeans and Springfield. But the branches there didnt have anything interesting as well. I've seen better sets of merchandise in trinoma. I am sorry, but that didn't raise my shopping mojo. Zara, Celio and Diesel are no where in sight.

Third, the new stores there are not well-merchandised and even well-reviewed. I dont know Salsa is supposed to be exciting but when i saw the people there inside parang all the lusting just became nothing. It looked a little trying hard to me.

Fourth, there are bazaars happening everywhere. Underwears clustered with mango chips and costume jewerly. Is there any merchandising mix manager looking at all the stuff happening. It's some kind of disaster in the making.

Fifth, there are dark alleys and smelly hallways in Rob. And there are far worse - darker alleys, and smellier hallways. It's the smell of a reeking canal and left over pop corn from the movies. Then the areas being repaired are just toooooooo dark. It's scary. It doesn't help even that the mall is situated near.... uhm, I'd rather not say it.

Lastly, parking is a mess there. Driving all the way up to the rooftop, is not exactly environment friendly. Gas-guzzling and ill-thought. Parang just to be able to set a parking they did that nalang. I just wish that there were more thought to it.

However, I must commend Rob for making their Department Store look so much better now. I have to say that the clean lines (except for Crissa Jean's very ugly space with splashes of vomit) are nicely executed. It looks very warm to the eye, relaxed. Despite the fact that the sales ladies and men are running around like triathletes in tawdry heels, the look still managed to save the utter chaos of human. Note to salesladies, really- if it's not life or death, please stop making unnecessary noises, clanking, chattering, howling and shouting in the hallways. We want to make the most of our shopping decisions. Those noises - they're annoying.

Overall, the mall despite all the facelift and botox injected in it, despite all the "jewels and blings" they put in it, it still is very bland. I can see why. I think it's the whole mix that is the problem. The crowd and the marketing will not change overnight.