SM Markets, the food retailing arm of SM Retail Inc., said Thursday it plans to add seven stores before the end the year to boost its network to 330.
SM Markets said in a statement the new stores are located in Air Residences Makati, DECA Marilao, Tanza, EB Town Center in San Jose Del Monte, Sorsogon, Tuguegarao and Taytay. SM Markets serves as the mother brand of supermarket chains SM Supermarket, Savemore Market and SM Hypermarket.
“We are targeting to fill the need for better food shopping in developing communities. The rising income outside the National Capital Region is definitely a welcome factor in terms of growth in the provinces,” SM Supermarket president Jojo Tagbo said.
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“We continue to expand and maintain our optimism on growth. Regardless of economic circumstances, our approach has always been to have a breadth of offerings that fits all wallet sizes,” Tagbo said.
SM Markets expects consumer spending to remain strong following the resumption of face-to-face classes and the onset of the holiday season.
The group saw a significant improvement in sales for fresh products, snacks, beverages and other school-related commodities this year.
“We are optimistic about the consistency of consumer spending. The return of face-to-face classes and the holiday season will push the business in the coming months,” Tagbo said.
SM Markets is also enhancing its assortment to better serve customers’ evolving preferences. It recently expanded its imported offerings to include brands such as Coles from Australia and El Corte Ingles from Spain.
It also continues to support micro, small and medium enterprises to boost the local economy by adding their products on the pasalubong (locally made) aisles on grocery shelves and prominently through its popular weekend markets.
It introduced more options to the community to access essential products with the launch of online shopping platform.