Retail group brings modern shopping to untapped markets

CEBU, Philippines - To further serve customers from the widely untapped markets, the Metro Retail Stores Group recently opened its 43rd Metro Supermarket in Carmen to bring modern shopping experience to the C and D markets.

Metro Retail Stores Group managing director Christian Nervegno said the new presentation of Metro Gaisano's retail stores look like an ordinary grocery store albeit a bigger version, but with the modern twist.

By modern, Nervegno said the Metro supermarkets offer the usual comforts of the high-end grocery stores but the prices of their products are comparable to those in public markets, that is because they want to cater individuals in the C and D classes.

He further said that there will be eight more Metro supermarkets to open before the year ends as the company targets to open 100 Metro stores nationwide towards the end of 2015.

The Metro Supermarket in Carmen is a one-story building that sits on a 1,800-square-meter lot in barangay Cogon West.

For his part, Mayor Gerard Martin Villamor welcomed the addition of investment in their town. He assured that not like other local government units in Cebu wherein they welcome just any shopping center or grocery store just so they can collect more taxes, Carmen, while he still sits as its commander, will only have one shopping mall.

It may mean no additional income, but Villamor said it will ensure that their investors are protected and the town's growth is managed well. Carmen, for this year, is run by an annual income of P75 million, and Villamor said he expects an increase of their real property tax from the new Metro store this year.

Also, Villamor said Metro Gaisano's presence means jobs for his people, as they have an outstanding agreement that the store will hire at least 60 percent of its employees from Carmen, of which majority of its people thrive on farming.

The opening of Metro Supermarket Carmen last May 6 followed that of Super Metro Colon last February 27 and Super Metro Basak, which opened towards the end of 2013. (FREEMAN)