The mall, which opened in May and already attracts 1 million shoppers on weekends, is the crowning achievement of Sy's 60-year career in retailing that began with one small shoe store in Manila and now includes 26 other malls in the Philippines, four more in China, one in Guam and a chain of department stores and supermarkets.

FORBES: Lean on Me

While services may indeed make up 80% of today's economy, there are always going to be buildings that need constructing, air conditioners and refrigerators that need fixing, and goods that need to be delivered to department stores and supermarkets.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Department stores and supermarkets reported that sales over the lunar new year holiday were 10-20% higher than in 2008.

ECONOMIST: The ugliest economy of them all?