Savemore launches smaller store format

MANILA, Philippines — The SM Group’s Savemore has introduced a new and smaller store format called Savemore Express as part of  efforts to adapt to the needs of local communities.

Savemore will open eight Savemore Express stores in 2022 to cater to local communities.

The new outlets have smaller floor areas but still aim to enable faster delivery of supplies to communities.

Savemore Express will be smaller than the typical  Savemore store which usually covers 1,500 to 2,500 sqm. in floor area.

The new format’s smaller size makes it more versatile in delivering basic essentials to customers,” said Savemore Market president Genevieve Manalad.

To date, there are nine Savemore Express stores mostly located in commercial areas in Albay, Valenzuela and Bulacan.

“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.

She said the new customer trends that came about during the pandemic would remain even beyond COVID-19.

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

During the long lockdowns, neighborhood food stores have served as the essential destination for people with restricted mobility.

Moreover, home cooking has become the practical choice over eating out as people spend more time indoors.

The new Savemore Express outlets offer an expanded line of fresh merchandise. This includes commonly used produce as well as frozen meat, poultry as well as a selection of prepared or ready-to-cook products from bestselling local brands as support for MSMEs affected during the pandemic.

As of the first nine months, SM Markets, which is the umbrella brand for SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore, and its sister company, Alfamart, had over 1,500 stores – 206 Savemore stores, nine Savemore Express, 60 SM Supermarket stores, 53 SM Hypermarket and 1,201 Alfamarts.