Ayala-Puregold grocery venture debuts at UP Town Center

storefront at mall entry

LOCAL property giant Ayala Land Inc. and leading grocery chain operator Puregold Price Club have started the rollout of a new grocery chain branded as “Merkado Supermarket,” the first store of which is set to open at U.P. Town Center on Friday (July 31).

This new supermarket chain will be operated by AyaGold Retailers Inc., a 50-50 percent joint venture between ALI Capital Corp. and Puregold unit Entenso Equities Inc.

In a press briefing on Monday, AyaGold general manager Cesar Cudala said the plan would be to put up about eight to 10 stores, mostly in Metro Manila, in about four to five years. Investment is estimated at P200 million per store.

AyaGold president Anthony Sy said: “With the mall-based Merkado Supermarket, this will enable us to tap a broader market. In the case of UP Town Center, this could range from students to young professionals and young families,” Sy said.

The new grocery chain will have an extensive line of local and imported goods, with 5 percent of merchandise expected to be sourced outside the country. It will also feature product lines from its own bakery and rotisserie.

This new retail format further extends the existing partnership between ALI and Puregold, with the latter serving as anchor supermarket at Ayala Malls Harbor Point in Subic and Fairview Terraces in Quezon City.

“Merkado Supermarket plays a significant role in ALI’s business portfolio. Not only does this strengthen and expand our retailing business which started with our convenience and department stores joint ventures, but is also a testament to our commitment in delivering a holistic environment and experience to the mixed-use communities that we are developing,” ALI vice president Cora Dizon said.