Metro completes buyout of Tita Guapa

CEBU, Philippines - The Metro Gaisano Chain has completed the buy-out of six Tita Guapa stores, marking the company’s foray into the promising neighborhood supermarket trade.

Metro Gaisano, one of the country’s largest retail chains managed and operated by Vicsal Development Corporation, bought the homegrown Tita Guapa neighborhood mini-retail supermarket in the first quarter of this year.

According to Ruby Rodriguez, Metro Gaisano vice president for retail, they have already incorporated the Metro Gaisano brand on Tita Guapa’s branding position, and it is now called as “Tita Guapa Super Tinda.” 

 Rodriguez said the company may formulate expansion program for its neighborhood supermarket venture, but as of present, no concrete plans yet.

Rodriguez said that while the Metro Group is on an   aggressive expansion mode, it has to embrace the trend of capturing the community-based retail trading, as this has shown good business opportunities for the retail sector in the Philippines.

Adding more Tita Guapa stores will depend on the availability of good locations, she said.

On the other hand, Rodriguez said the Metro chain of department stores and supermarkets in Visayas and Luzon is expecting a double digit growth this year, as consumers’ buying attitude showed good improvement compared to last year.

In fact, this year the Metro Chain opened new stores in Maasin, Southern Leyte, and in Naga, Cebu to reach out to shoppers in the outskirts.

But Metro is not only after money-making ventures. Just recently, the group launched its “Adopt a Bear & Make a Child Happy” corporate social responsibility program in time for the Christmas season.

Through the Vicsal Foundation Inc., Metro Gaisano stores nationwide are implementing this CSR program, giving away 10 percent of the proceeds of each stuffed toy (Teddy bear) sold to chosen beneficiaries.

In Cebu, the three Metro stores have chosen as their beneficiaries the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart Children’s Home Inc., ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporated, and Children’s Joy Foundation.

Metro Gaisano committed to at least give a minimum of P10,000 to each beneficiaries, but it can go higher depending on the number of stuffed toys sold.

The campaign started on October 15 and will end on January 15, 2012. (FREEMAN)