Robinsons Retail Accelerates Store Openings for 'Ber' Months

MANILA, Philippines — Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI) is speeding up store openings in the remaining months of year as it looks to capitalize on higher consumer spending during the “ber” months. RRHI president and CEO Stanley Co told The STAR that the company expects to end 2026 with a larger network as it ramps up opening of new stores before the year ends. Co said RRHI’s store openings are typically skewed toward the latter part of the year. “We have a healthy pipeline of store openings, with a focus on banners that benefit from resilient demand and low market penetration, especially within essential categories such as food and drugstores,” he said. The Gokongwei-owned multi-format retailer currently operates over 2,700 stores across its portfolio and over 2,100 franchised stores of TGP. Co said the company is on track with its P5 billion to P7 billion capital expenditure program for 2026. He said RRHI likewise continues to invest in initiatives aligned with its long-term priorities. “We are particularly positive on our food and drugstore businesses, which continue to benefit from resilient demand for essentials,” Co said. “At the same time, we remain optimistic in the long-term potential of our discretionary formats and continue to invest in strengthening their customer value proposition,” he said. Co said RRHI also continues to evaluate merger and acquisitions as well as other growth opportunities as they arise, with the customer at the center of its decision-making. “As consumer needs and behaviors evolve, we are open to opportunities that enhance our ability to serve our customers better,” he said. “At the same time, we continuously assess our retail portfolio to ensure that our banners remain relevant and responsive to evolving market trends,” Co said. RRHI’s portfolio of brands includes Uncle John’s, Shopwise, The Marketplace, Handyman, True Value, Daiso Japan, TGP, Southstar Drug, Rose Pharmacy, Toys ”R” Us, as well as Robinsons Supermarket, Easymart and Department Store. Robinsons Supermarket, RRHI’s flagship supermarket business, recently entered one of the country’s most sought-after tourism and leisure destinations with the opening of its first store in Panglao, Bohol. Complementing the supermarket’s opening was the launch of a new branch of Rose Pharmacy, the largest drugstore chain in Visayas and Mindanao. The new Panglao branch marks Rose Pharmacy’s ninth store in the province of Bohol, further strengthening its presence across the island. RRHI previously applied for a voluntary delisting in the Philippine Stock Exchange and its shares were delisted from the official registry of the PSE effective Aug. 31.