The chain is all over the country, on practically every corner, especially where competition is located. More than a week ago, another SM opened its doors in the densely populated area of Pamplona, Las Piñas, on Zapote Road, already a very crowded area with malls, supermarkets, a hospital and small shops of electronics along the road. Traffic in the area is always heavy and we wonder if it would get worse.
This one is called SM Central, the supermarket is referred as a Hypermart/Hypergrocer. The new SM Central is comparatively small – two levels – but has all the elements of the chain’s malls, except the department store. Practically everything is offered – food, toys, clothing, linen, house and kitchenware and Christmas décor items. Among the food outlets is Jollibee, which disappointingly, on the second day of operation, had a late delivery of the sauce for their newest product, the much advertised chicken barbecue; however, the meat is flavorful and tender. Used to sauces, a diner had to content himself with the regular gravy. Two days after, the Jollibee at Ayala Town Center, was not (yet) serving this barbecue either.
Back to the Hypermart, a refreshing collection of blooms welcomes shoppers on the ground level, sold in the twin flower shops, one on each side of the entrance. Around are the usual cooked food outlets like the rotisserie which sells pata hamon at P189 a piece, baby back ribs at P265 and the new roast beef for P210. The Bread Factory has come up with their own version of the kopi roti of Singapore, the coffee bun at P20 per plus a new variant, ube bun.
Inside, the bread section is amply supplied. We noted Marby’s new line, the bites, in ube and choco cream, at P16 per pack of 120 gms.
SM has a curious system of tagging their merchandize by the half kilo, which confuses us. Anyway, all quoted prices here are for one half kilo or 500 gms each. Mangosteen has not gotten any cheaper at P168. Mangoes are all right at P45, Dizon’s black watermelon at P47. In one section of the outlet is a vegetable chopping team, cutting fresh harvest, putting them together for various needs. Imported meat, on the other hand, includes cuts from US corn-fed herd, like the yakiniku beef (we could not find the tag price) and strip sirloin at P299 for 230 gms and gourmet burgers at P160 a pack of 400 gms. Local stock includes Farm Fresh mechado beef at P240 a kilo, kalitiran at P230. Bounty Fresh native chicken is tagged at P166 a kilo.
Takal-takal and tamang timbang refer to the processed food and seafood sections, respectively. Bangus (medium) sells for P66.62, tilapia at unagu P51.50, galunggong at P78, maya-maya fillet at P145, salmon belly at P195 and tulingan for P70. In the rice section, there is Harvester’s Sinandomeng at P496 for five kilos, a few pesos higher than in other outlets.
They’ve got healthy brown rice for P264.50 for five kilos. We noted the new cooking oil, specifically for deep-frying, at P176.50 a half gallon.
It’s not really a bad idea to get your Christmas décor items now. Check the Hypermart’s supply. Note that as one checks out, the cashiers bid customers a friendly farewell with the phrase “Happy to serve you“ with smiles on their faces. They look neat in their uniforms.
The very yummy, crunchy Belgian chocolate lace cookies, originally available only in Cebu, have found an outlet in Metro Manila. This is at the Unit 12-B of the Les Doux Atelier Building, Service Road, off Alabang Hills, tel. no. 514-7622, call Nina. They come in two sizes – 300 gms for P378 and 600 gms for P587.
Sad, but the Consumer lost again to Big Business. The Supreme Court has junked the petition for free parking in various malls. It is our conviction that since shoppers always spend in these places, the establishments should have the selfless gesture of providing free parking. They can require receipts of purchase to be stamped by the stores/dining places. Alternatively, the shops should shoulder the fees. It’s beyond anyone’s imagination how much money (millions!) is collected everyday.
Catch the Christmas Fair in Greenhills, ongoing until the 2nd of November. Before going wild over new décor items, review your stock from last year. Be a wise spender.
E-mail comments and questions to: lydia_d_castillo@yahoo.com.