SM Markets rolls out new Savemore store format

MANILA, Philippines — SM Markets, the supermarket business of the SM Group, is venturing into a smaller-sized format for its Savemore stores.

SM Markets said Savemore has branched out to a new retail format called Savemore Express.

Compared to a regular Savemore store typically covering 1,500 to 2,500 square meters in floor area, SM Markets said the new format’s smaller size makes it more versatile in delivering basic essentials to customers.

A total of nine Savemore Express stores are currently operational, most of which are located in commercial areas in Albay, Valenzuela and Bulacan.

Savemore Market president Genevieve Manalad said eight more Savemore Express stores would be opened to cater to more communities by next year.

Manalad said neighborhood food stores have served as the essential destination for people with restricted mobility during the lockdowns, while home cooking has become the practical choice over eating out as people have spent more time indoors.

She said the new Savemore Express addresses this shift by providing the weekly grocery needs of communities and offering an expanded line of fresh merchandise.

“Similar to how our other formats came to be, we are always finding ways to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. This has been more so during the pandemic, with the heightened need for safety and practicality and as people relied on local neighborhood stores for their food and other essentials,” Manalad said.

“We assume that these habits will remain even beyond the pandemic and Savemore Express was conceived to support this emerging shopping trend,” she said.

SM Markets serves as the umbrella brand for SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore and its sister company, Alfamart.

It has over 1,500 stores as of end-September, composed of 206 Savemore stores, nine Savemore Express stores, 60 SM Supermarket stores, 53 SM Hypermarket stores, and 1,201 Alfamarts.