Robina's Fantastic 4

Tycoon Robina Gokongwei-Pe is not afraid to give her rivals in the retail industry a shoutout or much-deserved credit.

- By Richmond Mercurio

Robina, one of Fortune Magazine's 2024 most powerful women in Asia, has brought the Gokongwei Group's retail arm, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI), to great heights under her decades of leadership.

Despite her success and prominence, Robina, the eldest daughter of tycoon John Gokongwei Jr., admitted that there are currently four women retailers in the country whom she admires.

"The first one is Tessie Sy-Coson," she said during the 31st National Retail Conference and Expo last week.

Robina described Sy-Coson, vice chairman of conglomerate SM Investments Corp., as “absolutely brilliant.”

“Mrs. Coson is, just as the British would say – absolutely brilliant in everything,” she said.

“And so the only time I felt bigger was when my Prada bag was bigger than hers in one party. I don’t know why we ended up having the same bag, but I had the bigger one,” Robina said in jest.

Next on her list is Susan Co, co-founder of supermarket chain Puregold Price Club inc. and wife of retail tycoon Lucio Co.

Susan is also the vice chairman of Cosco Capital, a listed retail and investment holding firm.