PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES, 8 October 2025 — Alfamart Philippines, the minimart chain of the SM group, has recently launched its franchising program, opening doors for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to grow alongside its nationwide expansion.
The pilot began in Laguna with two franchise-owned stores. The first franchise store was launched with Engineer Leovino C. Datario, a long-time Alfamart lessor, in October 2024. The second, opened in August 2025, was in partnership with Arles A. Uy, Jr., owner of AAU Corporation, which operates 15 Express Clean laundromat branches beside 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. By allowing tenants to evolve into franchisees, Alfamart is enabling MSMEs to scale alongside its own expansion, strengthening local communities and livelihoods,” said Harvey T. Ong, Chief Operating Officer of Alfamart Philippines.
Part of SM’s retail food business, Alfamart blends the convenience of a neighborhood store with the breadth of a supermarket — 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, one of the leading retailers with 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 at reasonable prices. For franchising inquiries, please email franchising@alfamart.com.ph.