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Automatic Centre to close shop due to 'challenges' amid COVID-19 pandemic

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ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA - Automatic Centre, a staple Filipino appliances store, will close down its retail stores starting Oct. 10 due to &quot;significant challenges&quot; they faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its chief said on Wednesday. </p><p>Automatic Appliances Inc. President and CEO Geoffrey Lim thanked all the customers of the appliances store, emphasizing that they would still honor all of their obligations. </p><p>&quot;We will... ensure a smooth transition and closing process while exploring options to keep the 70+ year &#x27;Automatic Centre&#x27; mission [and] legacy of ‘helping improve the quality of life of the Filipino family’ alive,&quot; the statement read. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/04/13/21/filipinos-prefer-convenience-live-selling-when-shopping-online-facebook-study">Filipinos prefer &#x27;convenience&#x27;, live selling, when shopping online: Facebook study</a></li></ul><p>&quot;I thank you for your concern and hoping for your support to preserve the reputation of the company,&quot; he added. </p><p>Established in 1948, Automatic Centre, which is present in many of malls in Metro Manila, has provided Filipinos with deals, convenient payment schemes, and even &quot;after-sales service&quot; throughout its years of service. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/02/20/hm-to-close-stores-as-covid-19-pushes-shoppers-online">H&amp;M to close stores as COVID-19 pushes shoppers online</a></li></ul><p>Physical stores, especially those selling non-essentials, were temporarily shut due to restrictions when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in 2020. </p><p>With strict quarantine, Filipino consumers shifted to online platforms for their daily needs including groceries, food delivery and even financial transactions.</p><div><strong>- with reports from Jessica Fenol and Warren De Guzman, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><strong> RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1693206" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

The Filipino appliances store will close down its retail stores starting October 10 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its chief said. 