OPENED IN 2010, basketball concept shop Titan, in seven years, has established itself as one of the premier places to go to in the metro for general and limited releases of top footwear brands. It is an achievement that the people behind the store-cum-barbershop said they are very proud of and something that motivates them moving forward.
An idea that was developed by a group of passionate basketball practitioners and aficionados, led by former Philippine Basketball Association player and now coach Jeffrey Cariaso, Titan recently celebrated its seventh anniversary at its standalone store at Conrad Hotel Manila, taking stock of how far it has come and expressing excitement over what lies ahead.
“We’re very grateful [with] how the public has embraced and supported Titan for seven years now. We started in 2010 with Jeff Cariaso, Dennis Tan, and Raoul Reinoso coming up with the concept of a basketball shoe store with barbershop since they felt that there is a market for it here since we are a basketball country, as they say. And it all began there,” said Miguel Rocha, Titan senior Brand Initiatives manager, in an interview with BusinessWorld on the sidelines of the anniversary celebration.
Mr. Rocha went on to say that what they have become has been a product of careful management and strategy for they recognize as a group that being just another basketball concept store would not make the cut.
“While there is a market already here since practically everyone plays basketball in the country, we knew that we had to be strategic in how we do business to keep us fresh and relevant,” the Titan official said.
“Our push has always been to keep [what we offer] premium, but at the same time have products that are accessible. We study the trends also so that we are at least three steps ahead every time. We try to always stay relevant with the times. Even the locations of the stores are strategic, putting up stores in areas where there are a lot of basketball fans,” Mr. Rocha added.
Now that they have become a top-of-mind haven for quality and premium basketball footwear and apparel with brands like Jordan, Nike, adidas and Under Armour, among others, Titan knows that expectations are high for it to keep its standing and even build on it.
It is a welcome challenge said Mr. Rocha.
“In the mid-2000s, the sneaker scene in the country was already building up, but when Titan came in 2010 we believe it has been amplified. Seven years since, we definitely have exceeded our expectations. But it does not stop here. We want to reach another level. So we are looking at expanding not only here in Metro Manila,” said Mr. Rocha.
Titan stores are located at The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Conrad Hotel Manila, Vertis North in Quezon City, Alabang, Edsa Shangri-La, UP Town Center, Glorietta 5, Circuit Makati, and Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. It also has online store at www.titan22.com. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
