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Welcoming A New Chapter: Crate and Barrel Opens New Store at the Podium
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The new Crate and Barrel at The Podium—its first Philippine store in over a decade—signals the brand’s global shift toward a more design-driven, experiential retail model. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by the President of SM Retail, Jonathan Ng; the Vice President and Business Unit Head of Crate & Barrel, Steven Ticzon; and the Senior Director for International Operations of Crate & Barrel, Sarah Sullivan.
Quality Craftsmanship and Sustainability
The store incorporates the brand’s refreshed global design, featuring an open, warm, and gallery-style layout. It emphasizes visual storytelling through thoughtfully styled vignettes designed to inspire modern living. Although more intimate in size, the store offers a highly curated selection of its best-selling furniture, homeware, and décor.
Every piece is a testament to quality craftsmanship and is made with the finest materials. Crate & Barrel is also committed to more responsible materials and sustainable sourcing. For instance, the brand is using more sustainably sourced materials in their products, including FSC®-certified wood.
This ensures that the wood comes from forests that are cared for and managed in a way that provides holistic environmental, social, and economic benefits. This care extends to their textiles. Beddings & upholstery that are labeled OEKO-TEX® certified pass safety tests for the presence of harmful substances, so they are better for you and your home. As one of the most well-known furniture brands in the world, Crate & Barrel offers meticulous attention to detail in their craftsmanship—ensuring that every item is designed to last for generations.
A Refreshing Retail Experience
The new store embodies Crate and Barrel’s pivot to a highly experiential, design-driven retail model. Visitors are immediately drawn into curated dining areas upon entering the store, offering a fresh perspective on the traditional dining experience. With the holiday season upon us, each corner of the showroom is decorated with seasonally themed decor, such as faux botanicals and ceramic decor, that evokes warmth and a sense of familiarity.
As you go further into the store, the visual story of the space is clear—from its living room to bedroom sets. Inside, Crate & Barrel’s showroom crafts a presentation on modern living made special. At the center of the showroom is the Design Deck, where specialists offer clients personalized advice on home styling and furniture planning.
Furthermore, the showroom features a range of tools that allow for a seamless retail experience. This includes the integrated digital tools, which enhance this high-touch service. Interactive boards enable clients to browse the full product range beyond the physical display, while iPads help specialists share styling ideas, show alternate options, and facilitate home delivery orders. This blend of personal service and digital access fulfills the brand’s commitment to modern living, timeless design, and outstanding customer service.
The Future of Crate & Barrel
This new chapter for Crate and Barrel, beginning with The Podium and continuing with next year’s SM Aura relocation, is a clear signal of its renewed commitment to the Philippine market. It is a powerful investment in the brand’s mission to elevate the everyday and make modern living special through timeless design and exceptional quality.
You can experience Crate & Barrel’s collections in their showroom! Alternatively, explore their full collection and bring inspired design to your home by visiting their website at crateandbarrel.com.ph.
Read More: Crate and Barrel PH’s 10th Anniversary Continues with ‘Gather & Grateful’
Frequently Asked Questions
The Podium store signals a shift from a traditional warehouse-style layout to a gallery-style, vignette-driven model. This approach uses curated “visual storytelling” to present furniture in realistic home settings (living, dining, and bedroom) immediately upon entry. By prioritizing “high-touch” service through the central Design Deck, the store functions as a consulting hub rather than a simple retail floor, allowing clients to engage in personalized spatial planning and home styling.
These are the technical benchmarks for Crate and Barrel’s commitment to “designed to last” products. FSC®-certified wood ensures that furniture comes from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental and social benefits. Meanwhile, OEKO-TEX® certification on textiles and upholstery signifies that the materials have been tested for harmful substances and are safe for human use. These certifications bridge the gap between aesthetic luxury and ethical, long-term sustainability.
The Design Deck is a physical station located at the center of the showroom where styling specialists provide professional advice. It is supported by an integrated digital ecosystem comprising interactive boards that allow guests to browse the full global catalog beyond the store’s physical inventory and iPads used by specialists to visualize alternate fabric options and facilitate home delivery orders. This blend of personal consultation and digital accessibility ensures a seamless, modern retail experience.
The relocation was a strategic “same neighborhood” move to a more intimate and upscale environment. The Podium’s demographic aligns with the brand’s global pivot toward a “highly curated” selection. While the physical footprint is more compact than the previous Megamall branch, the store focuses on high-density best-sellers and premium service, optimizing the retail space for a more discerning, design-conscious clientele.
In technical design terms, timelessness refers to the use of neutral palettes, clean architectural lines, and high-integrity materials like solid wood and premium textiles. Crate and Barrel engineers their pieces to transcend seasonal trends, focusing on durability and aesthetic longevity. This strategy positions their furniture not as a “fast fashion” home product, but as a generational investment that can adapt to evolving interior styles over decades.
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