Villar-run convenience store maps out expansion program

MANILA, Philippines - The group led by real estate tycoon Manuel B. Villar Jr. is mapping out an aggressive expansion plan to bolster the presence of its purely Filipino convenience store brand which the former Senate president has continued to take pride in.

In an interview, Villar told The STAR that the group seeks to double the number of its All Day convenience stores next year upon reaching 100 by yearend.

“We want to reach 100 (this year) and from there, double and double each year,” he said.

All Day is being operated by All Value Holdings Corp., a firm chaired by Villar. To date, the former lawmaker said All Day has a network of 80 outlets across the country.

Formerly called Finds, the All Day convenience store chain seeks to cater to the Filipino preference as it aims to become a major player in the convenience store sector.

“All Day convenience store is the only all-Filipino convenience store in the country, the rest are Japanese franchises,” Villar said.

The country’s convenience store market is currently led by foreign chains such as 7-Eleven, Ministop, Lawson and FamilyMart which have partnered with local companies.

Villar said All Day would inject a local taste to the existing foreign flavors offered by the other convenience stores.

“We are still currently fine-tuning its model but basically, everything you will see in other convenience stores you will also see in All Day but with a true Filipino touch,” he said.

Aside from convenience store expansion, All Value has earlier committed to open four AllHome branches (Taguig, Sta. Rosa, Imus and Daang Hari) this year, an additional four by next year, and four to seven more in 2016.

AllHome is a one-stop home improvement store of the Villar Group. It caters to contractors, architects, interior designers and homeowners by offering a wide range of products and services.

“We want to maintain a high pace, a high rate of growth. We want to be a solid player in the retail sector by 2017,” Villar said.

The Villar Group, through listed real estate developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., has become the country’s largest homebuilder. In the past 38 years, it has completed more than 250,000 housing units in 31 provinces and 64 cities and municipalities around the country.