Alfamart to open 200 new stores in ’25

MANILA, Philippines — The SM Group will be expanding its mini-mart business this year in hopes of reaching more local communities amid a projected improvement in consumer spending.

In a statement on Wednesday, SM Investments Corp. said Alfamart was set to open at least 200 new stores this year in Luzon alone.

“Our continued growth is anchored on the needs of the neighborhoods we serve,” Alfamart Philippines chief operating officer Harvey Ong said.

As of end-2024, Alfamart had 2,100 stores across the country while creating more than 2,500 jobs as a result of its network expansion.

READ: Alfamart expansion continues; 200 stores set to open in Luzon in ’22

This included its new distribution center in Sariaya, Quezon, the company said.

To bring more communities toward its doors, Alfamart said it would partner with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that could set up shop in its branches.

For instance, Alfamart pointed out that its partner self-service laundry shop, Laundry Express, was able to grow to over 52 outlets.

“By offering spaces within our stores for MSMEs, we empower local businesses while enhancing the overall shopping experience for our customers,” Ong said.

Alfamart, a joint venture between SM Investments and Alfamart Indonesia, opened its first store in the Philippines in 2014.

The mini-mart chain boasts of “competitive prices,” particularly its frozen meats, through collaborations with local hog raisers and poultry farmers.

SM Investments, its parent firm, earlier expressed optimism that demand in the consumer sector would likely rebound this year and boost its earnings.

In the first nine months of 2024, SM Investments’ net income rose by 9 percent to P60.9 billion on easing interest rates and inflation.

This represents 79 percent of its record P77-billion full-year earnings that was posted in 2023.

The country’s largest conglomerate is expected to report its 2024 performance results this week. —Meg J. Adonis