More tha ‘just a good sport
Business innovator Toby Claudio shares the strong advocacy bearing his name and his family’s legacy
A business executive’s name can be associated to the routine of sports in various ways. There’s this guy who has been enshrined to it all those years ago.
oby’s Sports president Toby Claudio PHOTO BY EDWIN P. SALLAN/THE MANILA TIMES
Toby Claudio, who runs the Quorum International serving as parent company of Toby’s Sports, knows exactly what that means being the boy behind the name.
Hailed as the largest multi-brand sports retailer in the country, Toby’s Sports marked its 40th anniversary last
August 30 with a grand event dubbed “It’s Game Time” and held at the Metrotent Convention Center in Metrowalk, Pasig. The occasion boasted performances from University of Santo Tomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe (the winningest cheering squad in the UAAP) and the long-christened “Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano.
Their presence symbolized the men and women behind the retail giant who regularly provided the energy and winning attitude that took the company to where it is now.
Quorum Holdings Corp. Board of Directors (L-R) Toby Claudio, Rodolfo Claudio, Cora Liza2 Claudio, Bobby Claudio, Jose Claudio Jr., Ana Isabel Recto, and Victoria Vinas
That Toby himself is into sports and believes in its value beyond business matters is naturally a perfect fit. He shared, “I believe sports is good for staying healthy and for learning values like teamwork, commitment, hard work, and fair play. Our brand shares this advocacy by offering people the tools and gear for just about every sport imaginable. We want to inspire them to be active and play sports with the right equipment.”
For the uninitiated, Toby’s father Bobby originally put up a toy store and called it Toby’s Forms and Shapes. He clearly saw the future in focusing on play stuff essentially for the big boys, or those, apart from wanting to just play, aiming to be winners in whatever field they’re in.
From the late 70s to the present, Toby’s Sports, now with over 50 stores nationwide, has taken pride in delivering the widest selection of the latest sports footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories from the world’s leading brands, along with a diverse portfolio of highly in-demand in-house brands. The establishment successfully extended the buying experience from malls and stalls to online shopping via its e-commerce store www.tobys.com.
He noted, “Toby’s Sports is here not just to provide you with the gear that you need, but to inspire you to succeed in sports and life. It will continue to expand and innovate with the times, as it remains committed to improving itself for every Filipino dreamer.”
Operating as the retail arm of Quorum Group of Companies, and carrying over 60 thousand items, Toby’s Sports had already been inducted in the Hall of Fame of the Most Outstanding Retailers by the Philippine Retailers Association. It is also a DTI Bagwis awardee for consumer satisfaction.
A recent survey covering the country’s top sports retailers put Toby’s on top-of-mind among customers. It indicated that the brand is four times higher than the next in the ranks.
Its household status also ensured its double-digit growth last year, notwithstanding that retail industry is currently challenged in terms of global perspective.
“Few things are going for us like we have different store formats and new brands that are exclusive to us like the US-brand Hoka,” he cited. “E-commerce is very exciting too because there is so much potential and we have that big advantage because of our brand recall that translates to quick access to netizens.”
The retail chain had its humble beginning in a little corner in Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan.
Roberto Claudio Sr. eventually decided to sell skateboards that kicked off its transformation from a toy to a sporting goods store. Sports is a brotherhood and it made sense that Bobby’s brothers Jojo and Rod helped him in revolutionizing the business, with their sharp eye for modern ambience and credible-looking, knowledgeable sales personnel that made specialty stores for sports classy and inviting.
Kudos to Toby himself for embracing both the business and sports lifestyles. He spends three to four times a week for workout, practically practicing what he preaches. He pointed out, “I grew up playing sports. I remember we would go out and play catch games, watch baseball and basketball games when we were living in the States.”
The 40th year salvo coincided with Toby’s dad’s well-deserved retirement. With it, the sports house built for the modern generation of health-conscious and sports-loving Filipinos is somehow entering a new, and perhaps even more exciting stretch of championship run.
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