By
Iris C. Gonzales (The Philippine Star) | Updated July 28, 2015 - 12:00am
Stack
of items to be sold at the Merkado Supermarket-UP Town Center.
MANILA,
Philippines - Merkado Supermarket, a joint venture between Ayala Land Inc. and Puregold Price
Club Inc., will open its first branch at the UP Town Center along Katipunan,
Quezon City on July 31.
The
50-50 partnership marks ALI’s entry into the supermarket space.
It
will cater to the middle income segment, offering a wide range of fresh and
grocery items, an extensive line of local and imported goods and featured
product lines from its own bakery and rotisserie.
The
group is looking to open eight to 10
Merkado Supermarkets in about five years after the opening of the maiden
branch this Friday.
Ayala
Land said the supermarket venture plays a significant role in its retailing
business.
“Merkado
Supermarket plays a significant role in ALI’s business portfolio. Not only does
this strengthen and expand our retailing which started with our convenience and
department stores joint ventures but is also a testament to our commitment in
delivering a holistic environment,”
Ayala Land vice president Maria Corazon Dizon said..
For
Puregold, which currently has a chain of stand-alone stores, Merkado
Supermarket is seen expanding its market.
“With
the mall-based Merkado Supermarket, this will enable us to tap a broader
market. In the case of U.P. Town Center, this could range from students to
young professionals and young families,” AyaGold Retailers president Anthony Sy
said.
AyaGold
Retailers general manager Cesar “Arvi” Cudala said the supermarket would cater
to the A, B and broader C markets.
Cudala
said Merkado would offer spacious aisles that are easy to reach and navigate as
well as prices that would be competitive with other major supermarkets such as
Landmark and SM Supermarkets.
There
would also be weekend promotions for the opening weekend, he said.
For
instance, buyers would be treated to a free item for every purchase worth
P1,000.
Ayala
Land officials said AyaGold are also eyeing smaller Merkado Supermarket
formats.
“There’s
always the possibility of looking at different possibilities of smaller
formats. It will depend on the opportunities,” Sy said.
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