SM Supermarket Aura: The new urban market

MANILA, Philippines - The much awaited new urban market finally graced the Global City last May 17. SM Supermarket Aura opened at the lower ground floor of SM Aura Premier and was visited by some of the metro’s who’s who, renowned chefs, socialites, politicians, celebrities, and more. And the new urban market that showcases world-class merchandise complementing the modern city dwellers’ lifestyle was definitely worth the wait as it didn’t fail to impress its visitors and customers alike.

Inspired by urban gourmet supermarkets abroad, New York-based retail design firm Point Design Inc. divided the 9,300-square-meter floor space into different “worlds.” Each world features one of the people’s favorite market stops like the fresh, dry goods, and international. And though divided into different sub-environments, the whole store interiors follow a cohesive design that ties everything together. Its colors, soft lights, bold details, and wooden accents scream urban luxury and posh while still maintaining a very welcoming and inviting aura.

Much like its appearance, SM Supermarket Aura’s handpicked imported offerings also feature an impressive mix of popular products like Sara Lee ice cream, Farmer’s Union Natural Greek yogurt, and Peanut Butter & Company that people have learned to love and yearn for when they travel abroad. The store makes available prime and perfectly marbled Angus beef tenderloins, short ribs, rib eyes, striploins, and more — perfect for mouth-watering steaks, juicy burgers, and extra tender salpicao. And at the corner of SM Supermarket Aura is Chateau de France which makes fresh macarons, baguettes, pain choco, quiche, croissants, and other breads and pastries with ingredients imported from France.

Occasional sophisticated cravings can also be satisfied as the store incorporated a traditional deli & pate counter which makes traditional cold cuts and other cured meats like boudin onion-blood sausage, Italian dry parma ham, forest ham, rosette salami, and chorizo. It also has quite an assortment of excellent cheeses like gouda, brie maubert, emmenthal entremont, and mozzarella which make perfect appetizers, desserts, and wine partners. And speaking of wines and spirits, SM Supermarket Aura also has some of the finest products from the vineyards of France, Scotland, Spain, and more.

And though it offers a lot of foreign brands, the store has reserved a special place dedicated to the “all-time favorites” of SM’s shoppers. The store conveniently makes available proudly Philippine-made products like Chedings Peanuts from Iligan, Baguio’s famous strawberry and ube jams, and a whole lot more of the local delicacies because Filipino food still fills the hearts and stomachs of many. It continues to captivate both local and international foodies and chefs, which is why SM saves people from the hassle of having to travel far and wide just to taste the food that best suits the panlasang Pinoy.

Fresh and crisp fruits and vegetables, including uncommon varieties like apricots, blueberries, plums, and pomegranates, are also available at the store. SM Supermarket Aura also made sure that organic fruits and vegetables like lettuce, cherry tomatoes, papaya, and chico are available for extra-healthy choices. They even have hydroponic and aeroponic produce, too.

SM also makes sure that all the products it offers are BFAD-approved and guaranteed fresh and new. All food handlers wear spit guards while on duty and fresh food racks have sneeze-guards (glass-panels) mounted on for protection. Moreover, all fresh food products undergo the cold-chain process which maintains an optimum temperature at all times to guarantee product freshness. The fresh section is also equipped with an ozonizer which thoroughly cleanses the produce.

The new urban market incorporated a complete service line-up of everything that made SM one of the leading supermarkets in the country. It has an abundance of customer assistants to satisfy each and every customer’s need or query. It also eliminates the dreadful long lines by having Queue Busters that scan picked-up items even before the customer reaches the counter so that all the cashiers have to do is accept payments. Customers also fall in only one line which is served by multiple cashiers to avoid line stoppage due to petty delays.