Marks & Spencer 20th Anniversary

By | SSI Group Inc | No Comments

This year, Marks & Spencer is inviting customers to celebrate two decades of quality British style in the Philippines as the retailer marks 20 years of trading in the country.

As part of the celebrations, loyalty customers will have the chance to win an overnight stay and spa package for two at the Shangri-La at The Fort and a buffet party for 10 at High Street Café, as well as a Marks & Spencer shopping spree worth Php 50,000. Another 20 customers will win Php 20,000 worth of Marks & Spencer gift vouchers. Other benefits of being a Marks & Spencer loyalty customer include birthday discounts, seasonal freebies, personalized shopping services, bonus points and more.

In 1997, Rustan Marketing Specialists, Inc., a subsidiary of SSI Group, Inc. became the official franchise partner of Marks & Spencer in the Philippines. Since then, the partnership has grown from strength to strength. There are now 22 Marks & Spencer stores in the Philippines – 15 in Metro Manila and 7 in different provinces – where customers can enjoy the retailer’s high quality, great value clothing and food products.

Marks & Spencer 20th Anniversary (1)Over the last twenty years, popular M&S products have included delicious Milk and Dark Chocolate Digestive Biscuits through to the ‘must-have’ timeless Trench Coat, the classic Linen Shirt and Sumptuously-Soft Bra – the perfect underpinning for every outfit.

James Harvey, Head of International Franchise at Marks & Spencer, said: “We are really proud to be celebrating our twentieth anniversary in the Philippines with our customers and our long-term franchise partner Rustan Marketing Specialists. Our franchise operations are central to our international strategy and we look forward to our next 20 years in the Philippines.”

Anton T. Huang, President of SSI Group, said: “Customers are at the heart of everything Marks & Spencer does and we are delighted to be celebrating our twentieth anniversary with a really exciting monthly raffle prizes for our loyal customers. We hope that customers will continue to enjoy our exceptional quality, stylish clothing and outstanding quality food for many years to come.

Marks & Spencer 20th Anniversary (2)Marks & Spencer’s timeline in the Philippines – 1997 to 2017

Marks & Spencer 20th Anniversary (2)Exceptional quality, stylish clothing collections

At the heart of the Marks & Spencer clothing offer is considered and wearable design, celebrating style and high attention to detail with impeccable quality that lasts. All Marks & Spencer collections are designed and developed by a team of skilled international in-house designers based in London. Each season they create chic, wearable and high-quality ranges with helpful innovations perfect for all wardrobes.

Outstanding quality food

Marks & Spencer Food is renowned for leading the way in quality and innovation. To stay at the forefront of food innovation, a team of food technologists and product developers based in London focus on continually identifying new trends and developing new delicious food and drink products for customers to enjoy. As a food specialist, Marks & Spencer is also committed to using the very best quality and responsibly sourced ingredients in all of its exclusive food products, including moving to 100% Fairtrade Tea and Coffee in 2006 and using only free range eggs in all its food ranges since 2002.

About Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer sells high quality, great value clothing and home products as well as outstanding quality food.

Established in 1884, Marks & Spencer currently has over 930 UK stores and over 460 international stores.

In addition to the UK, M&S has a store and/or online presence in 57 international markets.

For more information please visit http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/

#ThankYouForTwenty

@MarkandSpencerPhilippines (Facebook) or @markandspencerph (Instagram)

In the Philippines, Marks & Spencer is exclusively distributed by Rustan Marketing Specialists, Inc. and is located at the following locations:

Alabang Town Center | Eastwood Mall | Gateway Mall | Glorietta 4 | Greenbelt 5 | Rockwell Power Plant Mall |  Robinsons Place Manila | Shangri-la Plaza Mall | SM Mall of Asia | SM Megamall | SM City North Edsa | Trinoma | Central Square  | Estancia at Capitol Commons  | Abreeza Mall, Davao | Marquee Mall | Ayala Center Cebu | Lim Ket Kai Center  | Cagayan De Oro  |  Paseo de Sta. Rosa Outlet Store | Subic Harbor Point Outlet Store | SM Lanang Premier 

About the promotion

The competition will run from February 6 to November 19, 2017. For every purchase of Php2,000.00, each loyalty member is entitled to one (1) electronic raffle coupon. One (1) winner of Php20,000.00 Marks & Spencer gift vouchers will be drawn every 20th of the month from February to November 2017.

The grand draw for all entries is scheduled for November 20, 2017. One (1) winner will win an overnight stay and spa package for two (2) at Shangri-La at The Fort with a buffet party for 10 at High Street Café, and a Marks & Spencer shopping spree worth Php50,000.00. 20 winners will be given Php20,000.00 worth of Marks & Spencer gift vouchers. Visit the nearest Marks & Spencer store to for more information.

Tannery in Fes Medina

By | Morocco | No Comments

 Make sure to visit a Tannery in Morocco- 11th century Tannery at Fes Medina – Till this day they still use animal brains, pigeon poop and cow urine to soften the leather #Fes #Morokrew

Alfannassi Sidi Mousa tannery

We went up the roof of the shop to see the tannery

Tannery in Fes Medina (9) Tannery in Fes Medina (8) Tannery in Fes Medina (10) Tannery in Fes Medina (7) Beautiful viewTannery in Fes Medina (11)

 Then back down again to shop for anything leatherTannery in Fes Medina (2) Tannery in Fes Medina (3) Tannery in Fes Medina (4) Tannery in Fes Medina (5) Tannery in Fes Medina (6) Tannery in Fes Medina (17) Tannery in Fes Medina (15) Tannery in Fes Medina (16)  Poufs from Camel leatherTannery in Fes Medina (14)  Leather jackets in all colors. They can make anything to your specs #Fes #Morokrew
Tannery in Fes Medina (13) Tannery in Fes Medina (12)

Restaurant Nejjarine

By | Morocco | No Comments

Who says Moroccan food is not good?  We loved every meal we had. Not one dish was the same in every  place so I would not get tired of tagine or couscous or kefta.  We were in Morocco for 12 days and I was sad we could not have Moroccan food when we had to leave

 Inside the medina we ate in Nejjarine – again a door that led to a different world insideRestaurant Nejjarine (3) Restaurant Nejjarine (4) Restaurant Nejjarine (5) Restaurant Nejjarine (6)  Love the plates and linens 🙂Restaurant Nejjarine (7) Restaurant Nejjarine (8) Restaurant Nejjarine (9) Restaurant Nejjarine (10) Always Moroccan salad 🙂 I don’t eat all – I like the one that has eggplant 🙂 Restaurant Nejjarine (11) Restaurant Nejjarine (12)  B’astilla – YUM!Restaurant Nejjarine (13)Mechoui ( Roasted lamb) I could eat lamb everyday! Especially in MoroccoRestaurant Nejjarine (2)  and brochettes or Kebabs – chicken and beef – YUM YUM and I love their rice where they put nuts and raisins Restaurant Nejjarine (14) Restaurant Nejjarine (15)  Moroccan meatballsRestaurant Nejjarine (16) Restaurant Nejjarine (17)  More fresh oranges with cinnamon – fresh strawberries and banana 🙂Restaurant Nejjarine (18) Restaurant Nejjarine (19) Restaurant Nejjarine (1)

Rustan’s FSP Premium Card

By | What's New at Rustan's | One Comment

In 1995, Rustan’s Department Store introduced its Frequent Shoppers Program (FSP), the first retail loyalty card program in the Philippines.  Since then the FSP has become the gold standard in loyalty programs in the country.  Today, Rustan’s is set to raise the bar higher as it launches its refreshed FSP Premium program for its best customers. With new and exciting benefits and perks, the Rustan’s FSP Premium program opens up a world of possibilities as it features wider acceptance across the Rustan Group of Companies, more chances to earn points and rewards in partner establishments, and even offers borderless rewards through its international retail partners.

Together with the launch of its new premium program, Rustan’s is also set to launch its groundbreaking mobile app, which enables a more seamless shopping experience, convenience, and value-added perks and services.

Loyalty at Its Finest

The refreshed FSP Premium program allows customers to earn points not only in Rustan’s Department Store, but in Rustan’s Supermarket and Marketplace, Adora, Debenhams, and SSI brands inside the department store.  Members are also entitled to perks and privileges in TWG, Salad Stop, and Sta. Elena Golf and Country Estate.  Joining this pretigious line-up of companies are Smarty Infinity, CATS Motors Philippines (the exclusive dealer of Mercedes Benz in the country), the Discovery Leisure Company, Txanton, and Adventure International Tours (operator of Crystal Cruises).

Not content with offering its customers wider acceptance locally, Rustan’s sets the bar higher by offering its customers special discounts even when they shop abroad.  Included in the roster of prestigious partners are Tang’s in Singapore and the Central Retail Group in Thailand.  According to sources in Rustan’s, customers can expect more shopping privileges abroad in the near future.

The FSP Mobile App

In conjunction with the launch of its FSP Premium program, Rustan’s will also debut its groundbreaking FSP mobile app.  The FSP mobile app can be downloaded for free by all FSP members and Rustan’s customers at the Apple Store and Play Store.  The mobile app features innovative features, such as scan and earn in which customers earn points simply by scanning featured merchandise in-store; a check-in feature which gives customers points simply by checking into their favorites Rustan’s store; wishlists which allow customers to organize their shopping lists simply by scanning items in-store and sharing these through email or social media; and integration with social media which allows customers to earn points for simply sharing merchandise picks and other posts that relate to Rustan’s department store.

With the new FSP Premium Card and mobile app, Rustan’s launches its finest pair that responds and rewards the unique lifestyle needs of its sophisticated clientele.

Rustan's FSP Premium Card (1)For more information, visit www.rustans.com.ph

Visit Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-la, Gateway, Alabang and Cebu. 

OUR FINEST LOYALTY OFFERS

 Earn 1% rebate for ALL your purchases inside any Rustan’s Department Store, including sale items.

Earn triple the value of your points once a month on the date of your choice.

Earn 5X the value of your points once a year on the date of your choice.

Earn points when you shop at Rustan’s Supermarket and Adora.

Receive rewards from our premium partners here and abroad.

Take advantage of exclusive promotions from various Rustan’s departments, and get a chance to earn bonus points.

Experience exciting privileges such as complimentary coffee at East Café, dessert with a minimum purchase at East Café, spa treatment, valet parking, and a birthday gift certificate.Rustan's FSP Premium Card (6)

·        1 Free Spa Treatment per year – can’t coincide with existing Spa Treatment Offers for VIP customers of C,P&T

Rustan's FSP Premium Card (1)OUR FINEST GROUP PRIVILEGES 

Rustan’s Supermarket and Rustan’s Marketplace

 Earn 0.5% rebate when you choose to credit

your purchases to your FSP Premium card.Enjoy priority use of Star Sapphire Lane.

Get a one-time redemption of a free eco tote bag.

Starbucks

 Every 6 months, the top 100 FSP Premium

customers will receive Starbucks

gift certificates worth Php 500.00 each.

TWG tea

 Enjoy 10% discount on retail and dine-in.Rustan's FSP Premium Card (3)Saladstop!

 Enjoy 10% discount on all items.

Rustan's FSP Premium Card (1)Stores Specialists, Inc.

 Earn 1% rebate on SSI brands inside

Rustan’s Department Store.

Debenhams

 Earn 1% rebate when you shop at Debenhams

located at the 3rd floor of Rustan’s Makati

Department Store.

Rustan's FSP Premium Card (4)The Rustan’s Flower Shop

 Earn 1% rebate on purchases.

Sta. Elena

 Get playing rights to Sta. Elena Golf

& Country Club at a preferential rate.

Rustan's FSP Premium Card

OUR FINEST LIFESTYLE PERKS

Cats Motors

 Enjoy a one-time Php 20,000

discount on vehicle purchase.

Claim preventive maintenance

service voucher worth Php 15,000

(good for one year).

TXANTON

 Enjoy exclusive rates for private room bookings

at the Tasting Room, La Gran Anada Room,

and La Tienda Room.Get one (1) complimentary Salmorejo

with crispy ham from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm daily

for you and your companion.

For every bellota leg purchase, experience a

2-hour master carving lesson to prepare you

for your next party.

For a minimum purchase of P20,000 worth of

jamon, tour the top grazing lands in Spain.

Rustan's FSP Premium Card (2)Adventure International Tours an Crystal Cruises

 Experience dedicated travel concierge services

for Rustan’s FSP Premium cardholders.

Get special rates for airfare, products, and services.

Experience exclusive sale events

for Premium members.

Earn $100 shipboard credits on Crystal Cruises.

Enjoy discounted airline lounge passes.

Enjoy discounts on all seasonal promos.Rustan's FSP Premium Card (3)The Discovery Leisure Company

 Enjoy 10% savings on dining

in all properties.

Enjoy up to 15% savings on

select room types.

Rustan's FSP Premium Card (5)OUR FINEST APP BENEFITS

Avail of exclusive offers online!

Get 10,000 bonus points for registering to use the app online.

Get 10,000 bonus points for completing initial personal profile.

Get 500 bonus points for sharing store items on social media.

Get 300 bonus points for updating annual customer information.

Get 100 bonus points for scanning featured items in-store.

Get 100 bonus points for checking-in at any of our stores.

Enjoy real-time credit of points to your account through the

Rustan’s FSP app even when you don’t bring your FSP Premium card.

FSP Premium Program Mechanics:

Membership:

Rustan’s Customers who are 18 years of age may become a member of the Loyalty Program by downloading the FSP App for free.  For customers who would like to have the FSP Card, a P100.00 card fee will be charged.

FSP Black Members (premium tier) will be automatically migrated to the new FSP Premium Program and will be issued their Gold Premium Card (and the welcome kit).  As members of the new FSP Premium Program, they will enjoy all the program benefits.

For the Launch, we will also include a selected list of Rustan’s Customers who have met the required spend of P500,000 for one year but have not applied for the FSP Program and a selected number of premium customers of our Partner Merchants to be given the FSP Premium membership (subject to ZRT’s approval).

Regular FSP members who have met the required spend of P500,000 for one year will be qualified to become FSP Premium members.

Membership will now be permanent (no expiration) but will be required to have at least one transaction for a period of 12 months to be active members.  Members who don’t have any transaction for a period of one year will be tagged inactive in the system and will cease to enjoy the benefits of the FSP Program.

For the Rustan’s Group of Companies, employees of all levels will now be allowed to become an FSP Member (following the mechanics for membership).

Rebate System:

FSP Program will offer rebate of 1% for Premium Members and .5% for Regular Members. Points earned will be valid for 1 year only.

All items inside Rustan’s stores, services and paper GC will be included in the points earning – for both premium and regular.

Premium Members – all items including SSI Merchandise, services and paper GC

 Regular Members – all items (except SSI Merchandise), services and paper GC

FSP Premium Members will also earn rebates at the following stores:

Rsutan Supermarket – 1%

Adora – 1%

Rebates earned inside the Rustan’s stores are eligible for redemption of any merchandise and service inside the Rustan’s Stores only.

 Premium Members – Redemption can be for all items including SSI Merchandise and Services (Spa, etc.)

Regular Members – Redemption can be for all RCC Merchandise and Services only

All applicable policies on the use of FSP vis a vis other offers (discount cards, other loyalty cards/apps, employee discount) will still apply.

All applicable policies on the use of FSP vis a vis returns of merchandise will still apply.

Bonus Points Earning:

The following activities will be allowed to earn bonus points.  Bonus points as well as activities included may be subject to change as these are part of the ‘ADHOC Offers’ that are designed to drive/influence behaviors of our members:

10,000 bonus points for FSP registration (One time only) – 10,000 points (equivalent to P50 e-purse)

100 bonus points for check in (equivalent to P1 e-purse for Premium and P.50 for Regular members) in all Rustan’s stores and partner merchants

100 bonus points for item scan (equivalent to P1 e-purse for Premium and P.50 for Regular members)]

500 bonus points for FB/Instagram share (equivalent to P1 e-purse for Premium and P.50 for Regular members)

10,000 bonus points for completion of personal profile (address, marital status, other contact info, income bracket, etc) which will be 1 time only 300 Bonus Points for Customer Info Update – once a year

OTHER OFFERS/BENEFITS:

P500 Birthday E-Purse Gift

X3 Bonus Points which the Premium Member will choose when to avail – once a month

X5 Bonus Points which the Premium Member will choose when to avail – once a year

1 Free Spa Treatment per year – can’t coincide with existing Spa Treatment Offers for VIP customers of C,P&T

Free Coffee or Tea at the East Café for every visit with purchase (no minimum purchase required). Free Dessert or Pastries at East Café for every visit (with minimum 5,000 purchase required).

Free Parking for a minimum P2,000 purchase transaction.

Free Terminal Lounge Pass – 1/year and discounted rate on succeeding passes

Art Naji Ceramics Fes

By | Morocco | No Comments

We visited a ceramic factory in Fes where they are handmade by workers who learned from their parents. Art Naji makes high quality ceramics and what sets them apart is how they paint their ceramics where they use natural coloring ( green from copper and red from iron) so it’s not toxic. Fes is known for Moroccan ceramics. #Fes #ceramics #ArtNaji #Morokrew

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Antique Fes Medina

By | Morocco | No Comments

What an experience walking through the medina in Fes!! Medina means walled city.  In the olden times, that is how a city was built – within closed walls.  Walls that were very high.   No cars are allowed inside and their taxis are donkeys 🙂  You need to walk on the right side of the street or else you will be hit by a donkey/mule.  We had our tour guide and he had another guy stay at the back to guard our group.  Medina of FezAntique Fes Medina (2) Antique Fes Medina (3) Antique Fes Medina (4) Antique Fes Medina (5)  Fresh oranges  in abundance in Morocco – US$0.60/kilo #Fes #Morokrew #orange #H2HFruitsAntique Fes Medina (6) Antique Fes Medina (7) Antique Fes Medina (8)  Fresh strawberries in the medina – only $1.50/kilo. Bigger, more red and cheaper than Baguio and Japan….. and USA #Fes #Morokrew #H2HFruitsAntique Fes Medina (9) Fresh mint leavesAntique Fes Medina (10) Antique Fes Medina (11) Antique Fes Medina (12) Antique Fes Medina (13) Antique Fes Medina (14)  Prunes and olivesAntique Fes Medina (15) Antique Fes Medina (16)  The King’s photo 🙂  in the butcher shopAntique Fes Medina (17) Antique Fes Medina (18) Antique Fes Medina (19) Antique Fes Medina (20)  nougatAntique Fes Medina (21) Antique Fes Medina (22) Antique Fes Medina (23) Antique Fes Medina (24) Antique Fes Medina (1)Antique Fes Medina

Dar Batha Museum

By | Morocco | No Comments

 The Dar Batha Museum of Fes, Morocco was originally a palace built in a Hispanic-Moorish design by Moulay Hassan at the end of the 19th century. The palace belonged to the two Sultans Hassan I and Moulay Abdelaziz. In 1915 Dar Batha Palace took on the role of providing a home to Moroccan arts and was reinvented as the Dar Batha Museum. If you have an appreciation for art, craft and history, the Dar Batha Museum in Morocco is a must-see attraction. The Dar Batha Museum boasts some of Morocco’s most exquisite collections of antiques, astrolabes, aleju (Fes gold thread), traditional Fassie art works such as embroideries, zellij, sculpted works, jewelry, iron works, Korans, carpets and ceramics. ( Travel Exploration.com ) #MuseeBatha #Fes #Morokrew Dar Batha Museum (3)Dar Batha Museum
Dar Batha Museum (4) Dar Batha Museum (6) Dar Batha Museum (7)Dar Batha Museum (21)Dar Batha Museum (22)Dar Batha Museum (23) Dar Batha Museum (8) Dar Batha Museum (9) Dar Batha Museum (10) Dar Batha Museum (11) Dar Batha Museum (12) Dar Batha Museum (13) Dar Batha Museum (14) Dar Batha Museum (15) Dar Batha Museum (16) Dar Batha Museum (17) Dar Batha Museum (18) Dar Batha Museum (5)Dar Batha Museum (19) Dar Batha Museum (20)
Dar Batha Museum (24) Dar Batha Museum (25) Dar Batha Museum (26)

Fes

By | Morocco | No Comments

We drove a few minutes up to the South TowerFes (3) Fes (4)  To get a view of the city!
 Amazing view of Fes from the South Tower – Medieval (14th century – left) to Antique Fes (9th century- middle ) All built with limestone ( and bricks) which explains the color #Fes #MorokrewFes (5) Fes (6)  LOVE! 🙂Fes (7) Fes (8) Fes (2) Fes (1)

Fes Wiki travel

Breakfast at Palais Faraj

By | Morocco | No Comments

 The best breakfast we had in Morocco was in Palais FarajBreakfast at Palais Faraj (3)  It comes with a beautiful view and it’s included already in the room charge Breakfast at Palais Faraj (8)  A wide assortment!Breakfast at Palais Faraj (4) Breakfast at Palais Faraj (7) View from the table – Fes has only one color 🙂  You will see this later on from the South TowerPalais Faraj Fes (2) Breakfast at Palais Faraj (5)  Bread buffetBreakfast at Palais Faraj (9)  Love the Moroccan pancakes

Breakfast at Palais Faraj (10)with honey, fig, President butter ( the best butter in the world )  and jamBreakfast at Palais Faraj (2)  YOGURT!  Best to eat the freshly homemade yogurt 🙂Breakfast at Palais Faraj (6)

A specialty in Fes – Moroccan Tapa 🙂  Tapsilog 🙂

 Breakfast at @palais_faraj_fes
Khlea (also called khlii) is a type of Moroccan preserved meat or jerky, usually made from beef. The meat is cut into strips, marinated with cumin, coriander and garlic, and then dried in the sun before it’s cooked in a mixture of animal fat, oil and water. The meat, once cooled, will keep for up to two years at room temperature when packed in the cooking fat.

In the days before refrigerators were common household appliances, preserving meat served a very practical purpose. (TheSpruce.com) #Khlii #Fes #PalaisFaraj #Morokrew
Breakfast at Palais Faraj (1)

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