CEBU, Philippines - The tremendous growth of market sophistication in Cebu has led The Rustan’s Group to open one of its largest supermarket outlets in the Philippines at the Ayala Center Cebu.
In an interview, Rustan’s Supermarket Inc. vice president Manuel C. Alberto said the shopping habits of Filipinos, including Cebuanos, have changed dramatically over the years, and the Group is responding to the movement and development of the shopping psyche of Filipinos by introducing a shopping environment worthy of today’s more discerning market.
The new Rustan’s supermarket occupies 2,800 square meters of basement space at the expansion wing of Ayala Center Cebu. It’s as big as the company’s flagship supermarket in Makati.
The Tantoco-led supermarket arm of the Rustan’s Group has not only invested on high quality brands for grocery products and fresh produce but it has also commissioned a well-known international retail artist to provide the right ambiance and aesthetics inside the supermarket.
“The overall shopping experience is very important to us. Shopping should be easy, and very convenient as possible, Alberto said adding that lighting and right layout, among other details were carefully studied.
Rustan’s has now a total of 19 supermarkets nationwide with another one to set open in Cebu soon. Presently, Cebu has three Rustan’s outlets in operation – the one in Ayala Center, another one in Paseo, Banawa; and Shopwise, the Group’s hypermart brand located in Brgy. Basak, Cebu City.
Rustan’s started its operations in Cebu more than 30 years ago, with its first department store and supermarket along Mango Avenue. It is the first modern-retailer to enter the then laid-back Cebu in the early 80’s.
Rustan Commercial Corp., chaired by Ambassador Bienvenido R. Tantoco, Sr, also operates a Duty Free shop in Morocco, North Africa, and the Starbucks Coffee in the Philippines through Rustan Coffee Corporation (RCOC), among other subsidiaries. (FREEMAN)