Boys and girls and kids at heart—step right up!
Tickles, the iconic homegrown novelty shop, opens its new flagship store at SM Megamall this September!
Since the early 80s, Tickles has been the go-to source for quirky gifts and fun knick-knacks, so it’s fitting that they’ve chosen a retro European circus theme for its new look. At 80sqm, the SM Megamall store is their biggest yet, about three times the size of their regular shops, and thrice the fun! With bright lights, carnival elements, and even a toy train chugging along overhead, stepping into the flagship store makes one feel like a kid all over again—whether you’re a longtime customer or a millennial discovering Tickles for the first time.
In fact, the idea for the rebranding came up when the team realized they piqued the interest of a new market: millenials. “We wanted to re-image the store to cater to the current generation, without losing the nostalgia factor for our core market,” says Carlo Tanseco, Tickles’ Creative Director.
“There are three generations now that shop here: but you don’t usually want to shop where your mom shops, right?” shares Chun-chi Soler, Chief Operating Officer of Tickles. “So Carlo’s challenge when designing the store was that it would appeal to all generations.” Thus, all the new Tickles branches now carry the circus theme (Power Plant Mall, TriNoma, UP Town Center, with the full effect seen at the SM Megamall flagship store), while the rest of the stores will soon be updated. Inside the stores, the merchandise is more focused and curated, and every corner of the store is highly-detailed and “Instagrammable.” Carlo adds, “There are some things the kids won’t get, there are some things the moms or dads won’t get. But some things are universal: laughter, happiness, things that make you smile.” 
Go-To Gift Shop
Happiness has always been the guiding principle of Tickles, ever since it was established in 1979 by Yoya Tanseco, who is still its chairman and chief shopper to this day (“Except now I make detours to shop for clothes,” she winks conspiratorially). Yoya found joy in sourcing for “cutie-cutie” items from Japan and the US, knowing instinctively what people would love to give (and receive!). So when your present comes in that iconic yellow packaging—and now, in the new yellow and crimson vintage-style shopping bag—you know it’s going to be something cute and fun! 
Trending
For a shop that’s been around for generations, you’ll be surprised how current and on-trend their novelty items are. From wacky food-themed plushies and witty pillows, to funny and quirky eye masks, they know exactly what will tickle the fancy of the Pinoy market. “You’ll find affordable gifts which relate to someone’s interests—whether it be a pig or a panda, plushie, pillow, phone case…We have a lot of ‘hugot’ items, too!” tips Chun-chi. “We also have items for the moms and dads, so it’s truly a one-stop gift shop,” adds Yoya.
And in an effort to offer more exciting, unique, and homegrown merchandise, Tickles now designs and manufactures many of their gift items. “Now, most of the items in the store are proprietary, which means we make it ourselves. Some of the items are still sourced, or made exclusively for us by international suppliers, but our focus is really to design our own items. Our goal is to be 100% Tickles-branded,” Carlo reveals.
“Our guiding principle is ‘happiness all year round,’ and that’s what we have in mind when we design or purchase items, from food plushies and party gifts, to pranks and tricks—anything to make you smile.” 
Tickles is located at Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 1, Power Plant Mall, SM Megamall A, TriNoma, UP Town Center, Alabang Town Center, Market! Market!, Marquee Mall, Fairview Terraces, and Ayala Center Cebu.
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