Most Beautiful Retail Stores in Manila, From Atmos to Ikea

(SPOT.ph) It’s no longer enough for brands to just have a spiffy, clean-looking store these days; a physical shop needs to be an invitation to a whole new world. One that’s beautifully designed, offering a compelling reason for people to unplug from the internet, step out of their houses, and shop.

Brands that do not underestimate the value of a thoughtfully designed brick and mortar produce experiential retail spaces that don't just resonate with their patrons but also lure the curious passerby. And here we’ve gathered some shining examples, nominated by some of SPOT’s favorite creatives: 14 retail stores that are not only places to buy stuff from but are also worlds to get lost in—and dream.

Here are the 14 Most Beautiful Retail Stores in Manila:

Officine Universelle Buly

Stepping into the Manila outpost of Officine Universelle Buly is like stepping into an elegant apothecary—which is an experience no other Manila store offers. Designed by Ramdane Touhami and Paris-based art direction agency Art Recherche Industrie, it’s all about old world drama from ceiling down to its typography. “The space feels refined, with ornate glass bottles, mirrors, and vintage-style perfume displays that highlight the artistry and craftsmanship behind each product,” says photographer Patrick Diokno.

“Touhami and Victoire de Taillac know exactly how to build an experiential concept and there’s nobody better than Jappy Gonzalez to have brought their brand of luxury to Manila. A space that spun our country’s architectural elements into their own design language to such elegant effect,” offers Jae Pickrell, restaurateur and former magazine editor .

Meanwhile, as far as writer and PR maven Bea Ledesma is concerned: “Buly feels like the closet of a rich, chic grandmother—the kind you hope keeps you in the will.”

Officine Universelle Buly is located at Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City

Fritz Hansen Lounge

It’s like a subdued, sophisticated candy store, and the candy is the furniture. Reopened back in 2022 to celebrate the brand’s 150th anniversary, Fritz Hansen’s Manila store drips in rich, delicious colors—something its designer Jaime Hayon is known for. Tread through the space’s curves and portals and be led to beautiful and beautifully curated and arranged furniture of Nordic design.

“It feels like a warm embrace. I enjoy traveling through each room and observing how my emotions change as I take in the colors, shapes, and textures. The experience influences my perceptions and, ultimately, my buying habit,” says Michelle Lao, creative consultant.

Fritz Hansen is located at Studio Dimensione, 28th Street corner 7th Avenue, Taguig City

AC+632

“Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre’s maximalism always brims to the full here, from their visual merchandising to the array of knickknacks, interiors and fashion accessories, and home decor they source from their travels across the globe,” says Jae Pickrell of this longtime Greenbelt gem, a great destination stylish homemakers who like to entertain and the occasional dandy.

AC+632 also is known for creating some of the most captivating window displays in the country, effortlessly incorporating different motifs across different periods and styles.

AC+ 632 is located at Level 2 of Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City

Signet at Mitsukoshi

Cool, groovy and elegant all at the same time, that’s Signet’s second outlet located at Mitsukoshi mall in BGC. Signet, for the uninitiated, is a luxury menswear store that offers highend Japanese denim, expertly-tailored Italian suits, and high quality leather footwear. Persian rugs, leather tufted sofas make you feel right at home while you peruse their long list of premium products.

“The Signet Store at Mitsukoshi represents the pinnacle of mens wear for the cognoscenti,” says frequent visitor and customer Monchet Olives of the chic fan store Casa Mercedes. “Wooden beams, brick walls, concrete floors are juxtaposed with wooden cabinetry and armoires, giving a sense of the lifestyle for which the clothes and accessories were made. Leather sofas provide much needed rest from trying stuff out. The open ceiling and drop lights add to the warehouse meets speakeasy vibe. The pièce de résistance: the stripped down plane hanging from the battens!”

Signet Mitsukoshi is located at the Ground Level of the Mitsukoshi Mall in BGC.

W/17

Started by Andres Vásquez-Prada and Kaye Tinga in 2011, W/17 has been a secret go-to for those looking for unique homeware and furniture. Part of its allure is its location: hidden amongst galleries, auction house stockrooms and warehouses in Chino Roces Avenue’s La Fuerza Compound.

“W/17 is like a big beautiful stage presenting ever changing sophisticatedly styled vignettes made up of objects from across the globe and spanning the centuries. A cabinet of curiosities for the stylish set,” says creative director and art advisor Miguel Rosales.

W/17 is located inside La Fuerza Compound, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

Aphro

This 122-sqm space in The Alley at Karrivin is a retail space slash gallery with a display center made to look like theater seats. Designed by Jagnus Design Studio (who also did the neighboring gallery Artinformal), Aphro encourages the shopper to climb the stairs for a closer look at the artist-made objects on offer—and then go back down by taking the slide. How fun!

“The staggered showcase invites both eye and body to roam and interact with artists’ works, and it’s always fun to see how every exhibit inhabits the space,” says Jae Pickrell.

“Aphro's curatorial and discerning point of view makes it a great retail benchmark. It is a decidedly eclectic treasure trove of art and objet d'art, design, and living accessories showcased in one of the best retail environments in the metro. The architectural stair treads provide a rhythmic and experiential way to display, behold, and circle the pieces, effectively replicating a gallery or museum experience and, by extension, raising the perceptive value of the presented collection,” says creative director and Spruce Gallery co-founder Ric Gindap.

Aphro is located at The Alley at Karrivin, 2316 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City

Saan Saan

“Saan Saan's elegantly sparse, industrial shop allows its scents to take center stage, and the buyer enough space and breathing room to truly take in the notes of each handcrafted candle,” says Sam Potenciano, writer and one half of the travel vlogger team Ralph and Sam.

Saan Saan is a local candle shop owned by Mark Zavalla whose space makes use of plywood and a peg system to create shelves for showcasing its wares. Designed by Arts Serrano of One Zero Design Co, the store’s Kapitolyo store is meant to transport the visitor to different times and places thru its monochromatic palette and patinated walls.

“While many well-designed retail spaces in Manila are high-end concept stores, I appreciate spaces that are well-designed despite limited budgets. It's about striking a balance between ambition and execution,” says graphic designer Dan Matutina. “Saan Saan's space stands out as an independent brand that prioritizes design. This commitment extends beyond their Kapitolyo retail location to their modular pop-up booth. I really like their minimal but warm aesthetic. It allows customers to focus on the products without distraction, enabling the scents to transport you effortlessly. The shop's unexpected location (being in the building of Ace Water Spa) adds an element of pleasant surprise, enhancing the overall experience.”

Saan Saan is located at the Ground of Ace Hotel and Suites, United corner Brixton Streets, Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Atmos

Atmos is the sneaker store for the discerning collector, showcasing its wares in warm, inviting interiors with a modern Japanese aesthetic. They even serve up specialty coffee from Yardstick on the 2nd floor.

“As someone who likes shopping at streetwear stores, the newish Atmos store with Yardstick nailed it with their Japanese streetwear meets café vibe,” says graphic designer AJ Dimarucot. “Wood accents and collectible toys add a cozy yet sophisticated touch. By night, it’s a speakeasy hangout—perfect for cocktails after coffee. There’s even a DJ booth, though it only comes to life on special events. Definitely coming back for both the drinks and the vibe!”

Atmos is at One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 3rd Avenue, BGC.

Spruce Gallery

With a careful selection of magazine titles from all over the world, including local, independent zines, Spruce Gallery has become the shining beacon for the art form of print magazines. Here, the merchandise are the doorways to different worlds, and they’re showcased in such a sleek yet casual space that is more welcoming and comforting than intimidating. People are encouraged to browse, stay, and sit on chairs by local furniture brand e/lou.

“The prompt asked for a place where you can stay and ‘tambay’ for a long time, and Spruce fits the bill perfectly. Its predominantly black interior makes the magazines, publications, and artworks for pop-up exhibits truly stand out. I could easily spend hours in this space, browsing and appreciating the well-curated selection,” says Dan Matutina.

Spruce Gallery is at City & Land Mega Plaza, Ortigas Center

Aesop

“I’ve been a long-time fan of the brand since the 2000s,” says Jae Pickrell, “and it was an absolute delight for Mike Concepcion to bring it in and to be able to see how Aesop and its in-house design team would take inspiration from Filipino heritage and architectural traditions to build their Manila spaces, as they so famously do worldwide. Coincidentally, Studio Ong, the agency that worked with us at our restaurant Iai, helped build these Manila branches so I have a fuller appreciation of the design and execution process."

Adds Pickrell: "I like all the branches of Aesop, but I’m particularly drawn to the concrete yet cozy curves of Greenbelt 5 in the middle of all that Makati bustle, and the soothing openness of the SM Aura branch. I know it must not have been easy for them to install that cantilevered sink and I appreciate the nod to local with a cute gripo that we’re all so familiar with.”

Aesop is located at the Ground Floor of Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City

Univers

This Ed Calma-designed store that carries fashion brands like Bode, Porter, Ami, Simone Rocha and Visvim features undulating shelves and a dynamic ceiling complete with vintage Bibendum chairs designed by Eileen Gray.

“Univers One Rockwell is a beautifully crafted retail boutique where every detail is meticulously designed to highlight their extensive selection of fashion brands,” says Patrick Diokno. “It also features a thoughtfully curated collection of contemporary furniture pieces, seamlessly blending fashion, art, and design into a unique and cohesive shopping experience.”

Univers is located at the Ground Floor, East Tower of One Rockwell, Makati City

Ikea

The MOA flagship of this Swedish import is simply inescapable. Their pizzazz in retail design may have even the snobbiest of design snobs walking out with a purchase. “I always marvel at IKEA's grasp of retail seduction and experiential design. The way they present the products that FORCE you to walk through the ENTIRE store without you hating or resenting such a clear retail hostage situation is beyond admirable,” says Ric Gindap.

“Their vignettes make the visitor partake in a dream domestic scene. This retail design is the mega-scale application of the excellent museum strategy: exit through the gift shop - however, the exit spans the entire building. But without it precipitating resentment from anyone is a big win in my retail design book. Bland local department stores should take note," Gindap adds.

IKEA is at the Mall of Asia Square, Mall of Asia Complex, Marina Way, Pasay City

Glorious Dias

Glorious Dias is what you’d wish all pre-loved stores could be: fun, creative, with all the funky, vintage Escolta vibe that probably was the inspiration behind it. Located at the First United Building, Glorious Dias is a haven for pre-loved vintage clothing and accessories. Owner Jodinand Aguillon hand picks each item that are “perfectly imperfect”, and even throws in reworked vintage fabrics transformed into new garments  that still carry that distinct nostalgic aesthetic. Browsing thru the racks is always such a good time.

“I love Glorious Dias' space because you not only see but feel Jodi's distinct design point of view,” says Sam Potenciano. “Playful, nostalgic, contemporary. Their Escolta stall is adorned with a cheeky rotation of vintage magazines, venetian mirrors, crochet throws and comically oversized wooden utensils. Like stumbling upon all the cool, forgotten things in your lola's bodega.”

Glorious Dias in at the Ground Floor of the First United Building, Escolta, Manila

Halo halo

Since starting out in 2013 as an online venture, Halo Halo has widened its offerings from pastel-hued banigs to bags to furniture—and they now even have clothes, breezy and fun just to keep with the whole beachy motif. Their first brick and mortar designed by Anthony Nazareno creates vignettes of old Manila homes.  

“I love it when a retail space is also a pasyalan, and that’s what this store is at Powerplant Mall,” says Spot.ph editor Jerome Gomez of this cool, vibrant retail space. “It’s both beachy hangout and a stroll along a heritage site lined with old Spanish houses. It’s really more interested in creating a vibe—hence the very limited display (been a fan of their very cool bags, by the way) and the fitting room that really is like a summer vacation. Because that’s how fitting clothes should be, away from it all and you just having a blast with your own company.”

Halo Halo is at the R2 Level of Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City