Trendrod Exclusive: Conversation with Anko’s Rachel Turner

We scored a special exclusive interview with the newcomer brand’s representative in the country.

Last November 2024, Anko Global finally landed on our shores after launching its first-ever store in the Philippines, located on the ground level of Glorietta 2 in Makati City.

The opening received much fanfare from those who are already familiar with the brand, as well as new consumers eager to acquaint themselves with its offerings.

Established in Australia back in 2017, the international brand is part of the Kmart Group — which also includes Kmart Australia and Target Australia — owned by Wesfarmers Ltd.

Anko sells low-priced products in multiple categories like homewares, bedding, toys, beauty, and travel, in line with its mission to “make everyday living brighter for Filipino families by offering on-trend product designs.”

With this development, Trendrod has been given the opportunity to ask questions directly to the home and lifestyle brand’s Country Manager, Rachel Turner.

Turner has a strong background in successfully managing operations in various retail environments, as exhibited in her previous positions as Area Manager for the Country Road Group, Executive Manager for Store Operations at ALDI Stores Australia, and Zone Manager for Kmart Australia Limited.

She also possesses a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia.

Combining her academic background and practical experience, Rachel oversees Anko’s entry and expansion in the Philippines as its Country Manager.

In our exclusive email correspondence interview, we first asked her about the reasons that drove Kmart Group to finally launch Anko in the Philippines.

Turner shared that the decision was made possible by several factors that make the country an “attractive market.”

She noted, “The Philippines is one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, with a growing middle class and rising affluence,” and that the “Filipino customers also take immense pride in their homes, seeking out the best products to enhance their lifestyles.”

The Country Manager also revealed that it was a matter of “why not” expand to the Philippines, than “why,” that kickstarted the brand’s journey from ‘Land Down Under’ toward the ‘Pearl of the Orient,’ where it arrived in late 2024.

“It’s a huge market with so much potential. Filipino culture has a lot in common with what we value back home — there’s a strong focus on family, and that aligns perfectly with Anko’s ethos. We’re optimistic about how well Filipino customers will respond to what we bring to the table,” said Turner.

Meanwhile, we also wanted to know why the brand chose to open its first store in Makati, given that their competitors have set up their shops in neighboring cities like Pasay and Taguig.

“Choosing Makati City, specifically Glorietta 2, for our first Philippine store was a strategic decision rooted in understanding our target market and their needs,” Rachel explained.

She described Makati as “a vibrant, bustling hub,” as it is regarded as the financial and cultural heart of Metro Manila — helping Anko attract “a diverse mix of residents, professionals, and shoppers.”

With this kind of environment, the company, she said, saw an “incredible opportunity” to introduce Anko to a dynamic urban audience that values convenience, quality, and affordability.

“We believe Makati’s accessibility, coupled with its cosmopolitan vibe, positions us to engage a wide and enthusiastic customer base,” Rachel told us.

Having Glorietta as its first home in the country also “aligns perfectly” with Anko’s mission to provide stylish, practical, and affordable products that enhance everyday living, as the mall positions itself as a “lifestyle destination,” Turner elucidated.

“We’re confident that our first store here will resonate deeply with the Makati community and beyond,” the local Anko chief shared.

Barely two months after it launched in the country, Rachel told us that the reception of Filipino consumers “has been incredibly encouraging.”

“We’re thrilled to see a warm welcome and growing interest in Anko, with customers sharing positive feedback on social media about how our products are a perfect match to their lifestyles.”

She continued, “[t]his response reinforces our belief that the Philippines is the ideal market for Anko, and we’re excited to continue fostering meaningful connections with our customers.”

Given that Anko has been well-received by Filipino consumers, it should not come as a surprise to many that numerous items are already going or have completely gone out of stock.

With that, we took the liberty to ask Rachel about which of their products are selling fast.

“At Anko, there’s always something new in stock, and we’ve seen how well Filipino consumers have responded to our product selection. In fact, our travel line sold out completely in just three days. While we restock, we’re excited to introduce our fitness line for a limited time,” she disclosed to us.

Turner also listed their best-selling items so far, which mostly come from their home and beauty sections.

“Our affordable, trendy, and thoughtfully designed home storage solutions, like the Linen Look collection, as well as kitchenware and decorative accents, have been particularly popular.”

Additionally, Anko’s beauty products, “celebrated for their practicality and affordability, have also resonated with customers here,” according to Rachel.

“During the holiday and New Year season, Filipinos place a strong emphasis on making their living spaces comfortable, functional, and stylish,” she shared her observation of the buying habits of local consumers.

She also shared that “[t]hese products perfectly match with Filipinos’ preference for high-quality items that enhance their everyday living while remaining budget-friendly.”

Lastly, we also delved into Anko’s plans for its future in the Philippines.

“Our first store at Glorietta 2, Makati City, is just the beginning of our journey,” the company’s Country Manager assured their customers.

“We are actively exploring opportunities to expand our physical store presence across key cities, ensuring that more Filipino families can access Anko’s affordable, stylish, and functional products,” she told us when we asked her where the company intends to place their additional shops here.

Rachel also expressed her company’s gratitude to Ayala Malls, which she said “has played a key role in facilitating Anko’s entry into the Philippine market,” which helped them reach the local community through “well-established retail spaces.”

Moreover, she shared that the partnership that they have forged has enabled the brand to bring the “Anko experience to Filipino consumers through a trusted and familiar venue.”

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Trendrod would like to express its gratitude to Uniquecorn Strategies for helping make this interview with Ms. Rachel Turner of Anko possible.

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