Alfamart, the minimart chain of the SM Group, said it plans to open at least 200 new stores in Luzon in 2025 to make fresh goods and daily essentials more accessible to Filipino communities.
Alfamart had a total of 2,100 stores as of end-2024.
“Our continued growth is anchored on the needs of the neighborhoods we serve. We remain committed to strengthening our presence in underserved areas within Luzon, to provide communities with better value and easier access to essential goods,” said Harvey Ong, Alfamart Philippines chief operating officer.
Alfamart, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in the Philippines last year, has presence in 11 provinces including Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pangasinan and Zambales.
It is also present in 15 cities in Metro Manila.
The expansion also led to more job opportunities for local communities.
Alfamart created over 2,500 new jobs in 2024, including those at its new distribution center in Sariaya, Quezon.
The expansion also supported local businesses. Through partnerships, local entrepreneurs set up shops inside Alfamart stores, helping to boost local economies.
To improve its services, Alfamart is working with local hog raisers and poultry farmers to offer frozen meats at competitive prices.
It also introduced in-store butchers in some stores, giving customers the option to choose custom cuts and portion sizes of fresh meat.
“As we grow, we want our communities to grow with us. By offering spaces within our stores for MSMEs, we empower local businesses while enhancing the overall shopping experience for our customers,” Ong said.
“Fostering inclusive growth, creating more business and employment opportunities, and bringing modern minimart convenience to communities remain our priority as we enter our second decade of service to the Filipino people,” he said.
Alfamart is a joint venture between SM and Indonesia-based retail company PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk.
