SM fosters MSME growth through SM Markets

“SM Markets is committed to fostering these partnerships through various initiatives. “Our support for small businesses is comprehensive. We host weekly bazaars where MSMEs can present their products without the burden of space rental fees. Instead, they contribute a percentage of their earnings to SM, providing them with an affordable avenue to connect with more customers. As we expand into provincial areas, we prioritize finding local suppliers to enhance efficiency and support regional growth. This approach ensures we can offer a diverse range of products and improve the overall shopping experience for our customers.” ~Jojo Tagbo, President of SM Supermarket

From a small stall in the public market, fresh seafood from Under the Sea are now in seven SM Markets branches across Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Zamboanga.

SM continues to support the growth of medium, small, and micro enterprises (MSMEs), with over 100,000 MSMEs currently engaged across the group. In its retail business, SM Markets acts as a good platform for local businesses, forming strategic alliances and providing community support to over 900 MSMEs nationwide.

It offers an ideal marketplace for these businesses, leveraging the four million daily visitors to its malls. This broad reach enables MSMEs to showcase their products and services to a large audience, promoting their growth alongside SM's expansion.

A platform for small businesses

Christine Biongcog of Under the Sea Products Marketing Corp. exemplifies this effective collaboration. Her family has supplied seafood to SM Markets for 22 years, beginning with a small stall in the public market. Her relationship with SM began in 2002, when she sent a letter of intent to supply seafood to the newly opened SM Cagayan de Oro. Today, Under the Sea Products supplies seven SM Markets branches in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Zamboanga.

Biongcog credits SM Markets for its significant assistance, SM Markets also offers financial support through BDO Unibank, facilitating easier access to capital needed for business growth. 

“SM provided us with a larger space compared to our previous stalls, which required us to be more resourceful and adaptable.” ~Christine Biongcog, Under the Sea Products Marketing Corp. 

Supporting local economies

SM Markets is dedicated to sourcing from regional suppliers to bolster local economies.

Royal Breadhaus founder Vivian Sison remains committed to product innovation, responding to customers' evolving preferences.

In Davao, Royal Breadhaus, founded by Emil and Vivian Sison, has been a supplier since 2001. Vivian Sison’s commitment to product innovation has allowed Royal Breadhaus to supply to 10 SM Markets branches. 

“Our partnership with SM has been a synergy of creativity and market responsiveness, helping us develop products that cater to evolving consumer preferences.” ~RJ Briones, Royal Breadhaus Marketing Head

Growing the business by understanding the market

Sanicare founder Renato Sio highlights quality and consumer demand as drivers for their product’s success.

Sanitary Care Products Asia, Inc. (Sanicare) illustrates another success story. Founded in 1996, Sanicare began its partnership with SM Markets in 2000, shortly after the Asian Financial Crisis. Renato Sio, Sanicare’s founder, credits the opportunity provided by SM Markets for their growth. 

“SM allowed us to start with a small shelf space, which was crucial for us as a startup. Our product’s success was driven by its quality and consumer demand.” ~Renato Sio, Sanicare Founder 

Sanicare's products have grown from a single shelf in an SM Market in Megamall B to a national presence. Sio's commitment to quality, inspired by his wife's requirements, has driven the brand's growth and success in the marketplace.

The continued collaboration between SM Markets and MSMEs promotes local economic growth and improves the shopping experience for its customers.

About SM Markets

SM Markets is one of the Philippines' leading supermarket chains operating under the SM Group of Companies, one of the biggest corporations in Asia. It has earned the trust of most Filipino families when it comes to food. It aims to reach more communities by maintaining its aggressive expansion and growth.

SM Markets answers the ever-changing needs of Filipino consumers through its three retail formats: SM Supermarket, Savemore Market, and SM Hypermarket. From fresh food to general merchandise, all three brands work hard to deliver only the best products and services to its customers.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com