Alfamart Philippines, the minimart chain of the SM group, has recently launched its franchising program. This opens doors for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to grow alongside Alfamart’s nationwide expansion.
The pilot began in Laguna with two franchise-owned stores. The first was launched with Leovino C. Datario, a long-time Alfamart landlord, in October 2024.
The second, opened last August in partnership with Arles A. Uy, Jr., owner of AAU Corp. which operates 15 Express Clean laundromat branches aside from Alfamart stores.
As of end-September, Alfamart has expanded to 2,337 stores nationwide.
‘This reflects the SM group’s commitment to inclusive growth and entrepreneurship,’ said Harvey T. Ong, chief operating officer of Alfamart Philippines.
‘By allowing tenants to evolve into franchisees, Alfamart is enabling MSMEs to scale alongside its own expansion, strengthening local communities and livelihoods,’ Ong said in a statement.
Part of SM’s retail food business, Alfamart blends the convenience of a neighborhood store with the breadth of a supermarket. This is a format gaining strong traction across Southeast Asia, particularly among families and communities that value accessibility and affordability.
Alfamart Philippines is a joint venture between SM and Alfamart, which has more than 21,000 mini-marts in Indonesia.
Alfamart offers a wide assortment of products catering to daily needs including a selection of basic groceries, SM Bonus products, fresh and frozen goods, snacks, and personal care items. INQ