Back when boutiques were all you had for a variety of choices, you could get your shopping done in minutes if you already knew what you wanted. Now, we have malls the size of mini cities, and department stores that can steal the hours straight out of your day if you didn’t know the landscape before trying to conquer the aisles.

Because online shopping sites can also occupy your time and may not be that easy to navigate, the best way to shop, for me, is still in a store. But what is a busy person to do knowing that time is always an issue to consider?

The day I met Hannah changed everything.

No, she is not anything like Alexa – but she could well be the human version of one, if I may say (sorry, dear, charming Hannah) because she could handle all my shopping questions (or at least find the answers for me).

I found bedsheets with 1,300 thread count at SM Store Makati. Hannah, one of SM Store’s personal shoppers, pointed me in the right direction -- and with only an hour to spare looking for linens to replace the old ones, finding her was a godsend.

Who would have thought?

Hannah told me she has been with SM for 10 years now and became a personal shopper in the last two. I could see why. She was pleasant to talk to, knowledgeable about their merchandise, and managed to get me to consider options I did not know I had.

In the SM Store’s Home section, for example, she showed me Akemi, a trusted brand of linens that offers a range of beddings of various thread counts. Higher thread counts are preferable because it determines the softness and density of the material. The brand features Tencel, a fabric made of eucalyptus wood. It is soft and breathable, perfect even for warm weather. Best of all, she said the fabric is wrinkle-free and sustainably sourced – a green find, perfect for those who are choosing to live consciously nowadays.

SM Makati carries many brands that offer mindful consumers a range of choices, from home items to fashion, beauty and kiddie products. What I have noticed is that SM Stores have leveled up not only in their stores’ layout and spaciousness, but in the products they carry. Many homegrown brands started in SM and today they are part of the growth that the mall giant hopes to encourage in all Filipinos.

Of course, the SM Store has also welcomed countless international brands and even cult ones, as well as sought-out names like the Martha Stewart Houseware Collection. Hannah showed me several lust-worthy collections. Knowing that I preferred simple, sleek styles in linens, she suggested that the new drops in the Martha Stewart homeware might appeal to me. The Gracie line indeed had a smooth, glossy finish – quite elegant. The surprise, for me, were some cute, quirky designs on some kitchen staples, which could add a touch of candor to an otherwise plain space. The brand’s signature teal pots and pans, I thought, would be perfect in the kitchen we have been planning to renovate soon.

An unexpected customer journey

I only had three stops in my list, and Hannah made my shopping experience that morning quick and easy, knowing exactly where to go for what I requested. Home section – check!

Next stop: The Shoes Department. I could not help but admire how the brand had grown over the decades. I was told the styles are as on-trend as possible, with the classics of course always in the mix.

A private room on the same floor afforded me some peace and quiet as I fit some pairs, feeling like a queen with a cushy couch and standing mirror all to myself. Hannah was an angel, coordinating with the efficient shoes department team to help me with the sizes I required.

Like all personal shoppers in SM Makati, Hannah is trained to make their clients feel comfortable and even pampered. How could you not? The service allows customers to manage their time, multitask, so to speak. “Some of our customers can shop even while they are in meetings because we do it for them,” Hannah shared.

It all started during the pandemic, when SM’s Call to Deliver was born because people were asking how they could still shop amidst all the health precautions. Proof that good intentions can breed success, this service soon turned into a personal shopping service, providing utmost convenience to all.

SM’s personal shoppers assist customers from start to finish – from ticking off lists to payment and delivery. “Just message us through the landing number and you will be assisted throughout, whether you shop virtually or in the store,” Hannah said.

From making sure their Gen Z customers seeking cosmetics and skincare find what they are looking for, to helping titas and titos get their home needs or the right footwear, personal shoppers offer a stress-free, effortless shopping experience.

It’s like having your very own shopping assistant, helping you make informed decisions, and can even have your items delivered to your home while you continue on to your other appointments.

People in a rush, forgot something needed ASAP, or cannot leave the house will find that a personal shopper is extremely useful. “Tell us your size, we give you options. We can even serve you door-to-door, with our in-house rider providing payment terminals at delivery point (electronic fund transfer machine) so you can swipe on site,” assured Hannah. Delivery within 10 km of the store is free.

The SM Store’s personal shopper service is for you if you don’t want to waste time, or get overwhelmed by the many different choices at SM. Make sure you have 09178435227 in your phone for SM Makati’s personal shopper service. Visit SMSTORE.COM/PS to find your nearest SM Store Personal Shopper.