Ideas & Opportunities

Divisoria has long been a haven for bargain shoppers and people in need of hard-to-find items. Different people have different Divisorias, because the many alleys and byways of this bustling commercial district is filled with an assortment of knickknacks: from clothes to hardware components, and from spices to heavy machinery.

Indeed, its streets have become synonymous with affordability, but its diversity has also become the bane of first-time shoppers who don’t know where to look for specific products. To help readers sort through the mass of shops and stores that populate this area, Entrepreneur has taken a little side trip to help point people in the right direction.

So whether you’re shopping for personal use or for your business, Divisoria offers you an affordable and welcome option.

Bargain malls:

There are a bevy of malls that dot the area, but there are two prominent shopping places where shoppers can get great prices. The 168 Mall can be accessed from the adjacent streets of Reina Regente or from the Binondo district, and is home to cheap appliances, gadgets, and accessories. The Tutuban Mall, accessed from Recto or Abad Santos streets, is filled with RTW items and accessories. For shoppers looking for a little bit of adventure, the entire length of Juan Luna street is devoted to little accessories, kitchen wares, and other household items.

 

T-shirts:

If you’re planning to start a t-shirt business, Juan Luna Street should be your foremost destination in Divisoria. Here, you can get great bargains on bulk orders, and even find printing shops offering rates that are lower than their commercial counterparts as long as you meet their minimum order requirements. Talk about one-stop shop! Juan Luna is near the Binondo Church.

 

Gowns and formal wear:

Dressing up for a special occasion or starting a clothing store or wedding coordinator business? Then mark Ilaya and Tabora St. in your maps. There you will find an assortment of gowns, barongs, polo shirts, and dresses to suit formal occasions like weddings.

Fashion accessories

The ground level of the New Divisoria Mall, near Tabora and Chavez St., is a maze of fashion accessories stores, where you can find everything from pins, ribbons, clips, and other stuff. Makeup, lipstick, nail polish as well as dryers, hair blowers and the like are also available here.

Divisoria is in the heart of downtown Manila, and there are many transport services that ply the area. There are jeepneys from Recto St. that go straight to the Divisoria district, a train service that will take you to Carriedo St. which is a stone’s throw away, and numerous pedicabs that ferry passengers to and from Divisoria. But before you go on a shopping spree, remember to take note of these things:

1. Have a specific budget for items in your shopping list. Although there are many banks that have ATM service in the area, it is still best to have a ballpark figure in your head before you start shopping. This not only helps you stay within your financial limits, but also saves you the hassle of lining up in an ATM booth in a place crawling with foot traffic.

2. If you’re a first-timer, it’s best to bring a friend, or a map at least. It would be nice to discover Divisoria on your own, but in truth, the shopping district is a big place to cover, with a myriad of streets and alleys that crisscross in between. Getting lost will cost you precious time, and may lead you to danger if you’re not careful.

3. Keep your valuables safe, and dress casually. Dress light, because Divisoria is full of people, and you’ll probably have to squeeze your way through the streets on a busy day. The crowd of people also gives rise to some petty thievery, so it’s best to keep your valuables close to you, and keep a close lookout for suspicious looking people.

4. Beware of unscrupulous vendors. Make sure to stay within reasonable prices and try not to get suckered by a sweet talking salesperson. Also, keep an eye out for pushy vendors, some of whom will attempt to intimidate you into purchasing their products.