Robinsons Supermarket has revamped its third branch in Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City, to be followed by nine more renovations nationwide this year.
Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. President and CEO Stanley C. Co said about P200 million has been allocated for the renovation of the supermarkets, which he has deemed an “investment” due to anticipated increase in foot traffic of the renovated grocery stores.
“We’re willing to spend because for us, we know that eventually, there will be a return,” Mr. Co said in an interview during the Robinsons Magnolia Supermarket relaunch on Feb. 27.
Mr. Co said the revamping of their selected supermarkets is an elevation of their branches from “middle” to “affordable premium” market, taking into consideration the shopping habits across different generations from Gen X to Gen Z.
“For the first two stores, we saw improved basket size and transaction count,” said Mr. Co.
In December, Robinsons Supermarket relaunched their branches in Robinsons Nuvali and Robinsons Galleria, the biggest branch according to Robinsons Supermarket Group General Manager Kerwin L. Legarde.
“We’ve experienced not only foot traffic but we saw an uplifted customer spending… We’re achieving our goals,” Mr. Legarde told BusinessWorld.
The revitalized supermarkets bear the same interiors with green tiles, gray walls for the meat and seafood section, and wooden accent.
Mr. Co added that the core of the renovated stores is the wellness section which features new products geared towards healthy living such as milk alternatives, keto-friendly, sugar-free, and gluten-free products, noting the importance of customer experience.
“We do face some headwinds, different headwinds per banner. But supermarkets and drugstores? It’s a staple. People will buy. It’s a question of what will [the] customers buy? Will they downgrade? If they downgrade, we have to be ready for them. We need to have what they’re looking for,” Mr. Co said.
Another branch in Bacolod is scheduled for completion in two weeks.
The Robinsons Supermarket currently has 157 branches nationwide, of which around 10% to 15% have been selected for renovation based on location according to Mr. Co. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
