Alfamart Philippines, the minimart chain under the SM Group, has launched a franchising program to aggressively expand its store network nationwide and offer new business opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
SM Investments Corp. said Wednesday in a statement that the move “reflects the SM Group’s commitment to inclusive growth and entrepreneurship.”
“By allowing tenants to evolve into franchisees, Alfamart is enabling MSMEs to scale alongside its own expansion, strengthening local communities and livelihoods,” said Alfamart Philippines chief operating officer Harvey Ong.
The franchising pilot began in Laguna with two franchise-owned stores. The first store was launched in partnership with Engineer Leovino Datario, a longtime Alfamart lessor. The second was established with Arles Uy Jr., owner of AAU Corp., which operates 15 Express Clean laundromat branches located next to Alfamart stores.
Alfamart was operating 2,337 stores across the Philippines as of end-September 2025. The retail chain earlier reported plans to open 200 stores in Luzon this year.
Alfamart Philippines is a joint venture between SM and Alfamart, one of Indonesia’s leading retailers with more than 21,000 minimarts.
Alfamart celebrated its 10th anniversary in the Philippines last year and has a presence in 11 provinces, including Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pangasinan and Zambales.
Alfamart, part of SM’s retail food business, combines the convenience of a neighborhood store with the variety of a supermarket.
