IN our last column, I started our traditional gift giving guide with a couple of budget smartphones: the realme 8i and infinix HOT 11s. To help you further with your gift choices, I talked with the big boss of Kimstore herself, Kim Lato, to ask for some tips and the best-selling devices during the holiday season. From its humble office in Tondo to its present-day Quezon City office and Valenzuela warehouse, Kimstore, after 15 years, remains as one of the most reliable and trusted online gadget stores in the country.
A groundbreaker in online selling during her early years, Lato started the company while she was still a sophomore student at the De La Salle University. A lover of tech devices who regularly did online searches, she realized that a lot of these electronic gadgets were mostly sold by foreigners at a price that many Filipinos could not afford. At a time when the now-defunct Multiply lorded it over the then-fledgling social media, Lato decided to give her countrymen a better option: a Filipino online shop that provided them premium gadgets at reasonable prices.
According to Kim, smartphones, tablets and laptops and—to my surprise—small kitchen appliances are the constant best sellers. But because of the pandemic, power solutions, and fitness gears have also become in-demand. As the market needs keep evolving, Kimstore needed to adapt constantly introducing new products that appeal to all consumers. Besides small kitchen appliances they also have a “new normal essentials” category which have proven to be best sellers, too.
How much do people usually spend on a holiday present?
It actually depends on the needs of the customer and the product category. With smartphones, laptops, and tablets, the usual spend is at P20,000-P40,0000. With electronic devices, small kitchen appliances, health and lifestyle, it is around P1,000-P5,000.
How do you choose the right gift for a loved one, especially if they are not so much into tech?
There are four things to consider: 1) practicality, 2) durability, 3) functionality 4) affordability. And we take pride at Kimstore that we have a whole slew of products that meet those four factors. As a gifter, you need of course to consider if the gifts that you will give to your loved ones are the ones that they can use, or to simply put it: Will the gift make their daily lives easier? Kimstore has prepared gift guides to make it easier to shop for your loved ones. There’s something for everyone at Kimstore, from your techie squad, your sporty tito and tita, to your kikay friend.
What are the “safe” gadgets to buy that anyone can appreciate?
There are many gifts that are “safe”. Say, you don’t know who will receive it or you don’t know the person too well, then powerbanks are a great gift. They’re very functional for all kinds of USB-powered devices and phones of all kinds. One brand that has been receiving great reviews is Jaguar Powerbanks, and many people attest to its longevity, so such gift makes for a nice remembrance as well. We also have oil diffusers for homes or offices because who doesn’t like a nice-smelling home?
What is the best time to shop for holiday gifts? Does it really get more expensive during the holidays and do prices go down after?
Actually quite the opposite. We have more discounts and promos on offer during the holidays to make it easier on the wallet. We understand that people aren’t buying gifts for just one person, so we also have bundles and more. We even have offers for bulk purchases so companies can show their appreciation to their employees. Kimstore offers gift vouchers, discount vouchers, gift-wrapping services, Christmas bundles, and free shipping nationwide. Of course there will be more sales campaigns and discounts in the coming months so keep an eye out and stay updated by liking and following our social media.
What are your most important learnings from managing Kimstore for the last 15 years?
I’ve learned so many things over the years. One thing that really stands out for me is the value of making connections. That’s how we manage our people, that’s how we approach our clients and customers. We want our customers to know that there is a person from Kimstore that’s ready to listen and assist in their purchases. We are not surprised when customers leave reviews and namedrop the person who helped them. That’s why we are called the Kimmunity. To address the usual complaints of delayed deliveries, we are launching Kimexpress so that we can cater to on-demand orders.
GAMING MUST-HAVE
realme philippines continues to expand its gaming-oriented lineup with the highly anticipated arrival of the newest sulit gaming must-have the the narzo 50i.
Following the successful launch of the narzo 50A earlier this month, the narzo 50i is designed to empower Filipino mobile gaming enthusiasts as it comes packed with features to help them work hard and play longer at a price that’s tough to beat.
The narzo 50i comes packed with an incredible 5000mAh battery capable of delivering 43 days of standby time or 23 hours of continuous video streaming. With a special reverse charge feature, you can also use it to power up your other gadgets on the go. In terms of display, gamers and non-gamers alike will appreciate its 6.5-inch large screen with a large field of view to provide a better visual experience. Its screen-to-body ratio reaches up to 88.7 percent, allowing for less disturbance while playing games or watching videos.
Other features include a powerful octa-core processor and a 3-card SIM tray with a dedicated microSD card slot that lets you expand storage up to 256GB; and an 8MP AI camera with f/2.0 large aperture to make photos clear and brighter.
The narzo 50i 4GB+6GB retails for only P6,290. Those who purchase the narzo 50i or any realme device with a minimum spend worth P5,000 until January 2, 2022 at any realme flagship store or authorized partner dealer can get a chance to win one of 16,000 realme TechLife prizes and earn an e-raffle ticket at a chance to win an all-new Mitsubishi Mirage G4.