Our Products &
Business Units
Our Products & Business Units
Supermarket
Supermarket
Robinsons Retail’s chain of supermarkets is the largest segment in its portfolio with 286 stores nationwide. It currently houses leading banner brands present in a broad range of markets.
Collectively, the supermarkets target a broad consumer base through diverse formats and inclusive options – from budget items to premium products.
The Supermarket segment stays attuned to growing consumer needs and trends to best serve communities.
With its expansive reach, the segment contributes to several social involvement and engagement initiatives, working closely with partner vendors, charities, government, and non-government organizations.
Robinsons Supermarket is the Philippines’ first mainstream supermarket anchored on health and wellness that prioritizes locally sourced produce and nutrition-oriented campaigns.
Most of its offerings follow the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s color-coded certification system for healthy products. It empowers customers with health selections at affordable price points and accessible locations.
In June 2020, Robinsons Supermarket also debuted in digital retail under GoRobinsons.PH – RRHI’s very own group-wide e-commerce platform.
With an expanse of imported and gourmet selections, The Marketplace is the company’s premium grocery retail format that offers premium products as its key differentiation.
The Marketplace primarily caters to an upscale market, located in several central business districts and high-end developments.
After becoming a part of the Robinsons Retail portfolio in 2018, it is now part of the holding company’s largest acquisition to date. It was part of the acquisition of Rustan’s Supercenters, Inc. – the fourth largest grocery food retailer in the Philippines.
Serving Filipinos since 1998, Shopwise is recognized as one of the pioneers of the hypermarket format in the Philippines.
Focusing on the daily needs of the Filipino homemaker, our hypermarkets conveniently offer a variety of fresh produce, grocery items, home appliances, and apparel. A key differentiator is its supersized and bundled offerings, pegged at reasonable price points for families.
The Shopwise banner was part of the acquisition of Rustan Supercenters, Inc. in 2018.
No Brand is a grocery line that caters to Korean food and lifestyle enthusiasts, providing straightforward yet stylish solutions for modern-day minimalists.
Launched in 2015 by E-mart Incorporated, South Korea’s leading multi-format retailer, No Brand expanded to the Philippines and opened its first store outside Korea in Robinsons Galleria.
One of No Brand’s notable features is its private label products with a simplified approach to marketing and packaging. The grocery offers a vibrant mix of affordable buys and specialty products including authentic Korean food and snacks, beauty products, cleaning materials, and more.
Robinsons Easymart is a standalone mini-mart store that brings quality products closer to homes. It covers all the essentials as a quick-stop shopping option for customers.
Smaller than the typical supermarket, it is conveniently located near residential areas and offers both basic food and non-food items.
Robinsons Supermarket is the Philippines’ first mainstream supermarket anchored on health and wellness that prioritizes locally sourced produce and nutrition-oriented campaigns.
Most of its offerings follow the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s color-coded certification system for healthy products. It empowers customers with health selections at affordable price points and accessible locations.
In June 2020, Robinsons Supermarket also debuted in digital retail under GoRobinsons.PH – RRHI’s very own group-wide e-commerce platform.
Robinsons Easymart is a standalone mini-mart store that brings quality products closer to homes. It covers all the essentials as a quick-stop shopping option for customers.
Smaller than the typical supermarket, it is conveniently located near residential areas and offers both basic food and non-food items.
With an expanse of imported and gourmet selections, The Marketplace is the company’s premium grocery retail format that offers premium products as its key differentiation.
The Marketplace primarily caters to an upscale market, located in several central business districts and high-end developments.
After becoming a part of the Robinsons Retail portfolio in 2018, it is now part of the holding company’s largest acquisition to date. It was part of the acquisition of Rustan’s Supercenters, Inc. – the fourth largest grocery food retailer in the Philippines.
Serving Filipinos since 1998, Shopwise is recognized as one of the pioneers of the hypermarket format in the Philippines.
Focusing on the daily needs of the Filipino homemaker, our hypermarkets conveniently offer a variety of fresh produce, grocery items, home appliances, and apparel. A key differentiator is its supersized and bundled offerings, pegged at reasonable price points for families.
The Shopwise banner was part of the acquisition of Rustan Supercenters, Inc. in 2018.
No Brand is a grocery line that caters to Korean food and lifestyle enthusiasts, providing straightforward yet stylish solutions for modern-day minimalists.
Launched in 2015 by E-mart Incorporated, South Korea’s leading multi-format retailer, No Brand expanded to the Philippines and opened its first store outside Korea in Robinsons Galleria.
One of No Brand’s notable features is its private label products with a simplified approach to marketing and packaging. The grocery offers a vibrant mix of affordable buys and specialty products including authentic Korean food and snacks, beauty products, cleaning materials, and more.
Drugstore
Robinsons Retail’s Drugstore Segment believes that quality pharma products should be accessible to all.
Through the years, the company’s diverse portfolio of trusted drugstores has expanded to meet the healthcare needs of every Filipino in a way that’s both convenient and cost-efficient.
Robinsons Retail’s Drugstore Segment believes that quality pharma products should be accessible to all.
Through the years, the company’s diverse portfolio of trusted drugstores has expanded to meet the healthcare needs of every Filipino in a way that’s both convenient and cost-efficient.
Founded by the Dy family more than 75 years ago, Southstar Drug started as a humble mom-and-pop business in the city of Naga.
Today, it stands as one of the largest drugstore chains in the Philippines, with more than 500 stores nationwide. Moreover, it is currently also listed as one of the country’s Top 500 Corporations.
Southstar Drug is renowned for offering a wide selection of products: prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical medicine, food, and personal care and wellness items.
The secret of the country’s largest drugstore chain is simple: quality products, competitive prices, and convenient locations.
With over 2,000 franchised branches nationwide, TGP is committed to making healthcare affordable and accessible for every Juan, making it your friendly neighborhood pharmacy outlet. This was the vision of its founder Benjamin Liuson, one of the pioneers in establishing the franchise model for pharma retail in the country.
On October 30, 2020, Southstar Drug acquired Rose Pharmacy, Inc. from Dairy Farm International Holdings, Ltd.
It is currently the leading drugstore chain in Visayas and Mindanao, with a reliable network of over 300 stores, opening opportunities for synergies and growth in our drugstore business.
Founded by the Dy family more than 75 years ago, Southstar Drug started as a humble mom-and-pop business in the city of Naga.
Today, it stands as one of the largest drugstore chains in the Philippines, with more than 500 stores nationwide. Moreover, it is currently also listed as one of the country’s Top 500 Corporations.
Southstar Drug is renowned for offering a wide selection of products: prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical medicine, food, and personal care and wellness items.
Founded by the Dy family more than 75 years ago, Southstar Drug started as a humble mom-and-pop business in the city of Naga.
Today, it stands as one of the largest drugstore chains in the Philippines, with more than 500 stores nationwide. Moreover, it is currently also listed as one of the country’s Top 500 Corporations.
Southstar Drug is renowned for offering a wide selection of products: prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical medicine, food, and personal care and wellness items.
The secret of the country’s largest drugstore chain is simple: quality products, competitive prices, and convenient locations.
With over 2,000 franchised branches nationwide, TGP is committed to making healthcare affordable and accessible for every Juan, making it your friendly neighborhood pharmacy outlet. This was the vision of its founder Benjamin Liuson, one of the pioneers in establishing the franchise model for pharma retail in the country.
On October 30, 2020, Southstar Drug acquired Rose Pharmacy, Inc. from Dairy Farm International Holdings, Ltd.
It is currently the leading drugstore chain in Visayas and Mindanao, with a reliable network of over 300 stores, opening opportunities for synergies and growth in our drugstore business.
DIY & Big Box Hardware
DIY & Big Box Hardware
For over 25 years, Robinsons’ DIY and Big Box Hardware segment has been making its mark in the local hardware supplies and home lifestyle improvement sector.
With brands like Handyman Do It Best, True Value, Robinsons Builders, and De Oro Pacific Home Plus satisfying customers from Luzon to Mindanao, it’s easy to see how expansive our DIY and Big Box Hardware segment has become. We continue to bring quality products, innovative hardware solutions, and excellent service across our 227 outlets.
For over 25 years, Robinsons’ DIY and Big Box Hardware segment has been making its mark in the local hardware supplies and home lifestyle improvement sector.
With brands like Handyman Do It Best, True Value, Robinsons Builders, and De Oro Pacific Home Plus satisfying customers from Luzon to Mindanao, it’s easy to see how expansive our DIY and Big Box Hardware segment has become. We continue to bring quality products, innovative hardware solutions, and excellent service across our 227 outlets.
From its first store opening at Robinsons Galleria in 1994, Handyman Do it Best has continuously grown and made its mark among do-it-yourselfers, with branches in Robinsons Malls and other major malls across the country. Its selection for value-for-money hardware, electrical and lighting, power tools, and plumbing products has expanded to the thousands over the years.
In 2001, Handyman became a member of Do It Best Corporation, one of the largest hardware and home improvement cooperatives in the USA.
With the Filipino consumer in mind, Handyman has molded itself into one of the most trusted hardware stores in the country.
True Value’s retail concept of a lifestyle home center goes beyond the conventional do-it-yourself store. Acquired by Robinsons Retail in 2007, True Value has evolved into becoming a destination store for unique home and office finds.
True Home is a household furnishings concept store launched by True Value last April 2015 that prioritizes comfort, function, and style. The interior retail branch offers a well-chosen selection of imported, high-quality brands of home décor, bed and bath necessities, kitchen and dining wares, and storage solutions.
True Value and the True Home concept have become haven to home improvement enthusiasts, offering both classic and contemporary pieces and tasteful design ideas for their living spaces.
In 2014, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. acquired A.M. Builders’ Depot, the second largest big box hardware chain in Visayas and Mindoro. Since then, the stores have been rebranded as Robinsons Builders, featuring an improved layout for a better customer experience.
Robinsons Builders puts a premium on building relationships with local and international suppliers to give customers quality merchandise at competitive prices and responsive, custom services for every project.
Our stores house a vast assortment of construction products including floor tiles and accessories, water closet and lavatory fixtures, hardware and paints, lumber materials, electrical supplies, and more.
Under Robinsons Builders is De Oro Pacific Home Plus, the brand’s big box hardware counterpart. Primarily based in Northern Mindanao, the two brands’ combined geographic scope has widened its services to more consumers, farther south of the Philippines.
Department Store, Beauty & Toys
Department Store
We’re always on the lookout for products that improve people’s quality of living in exciting ways through our Department Store segment which is fully equipped with its own business center, personal shopper delivery service, and online shopping platform via GoRobinsons.
From the trendiest fashion pieces to the most coveted home and lifestyle necessities, our department stores provide an enjoyable shopping experience of leisure, beyond the ordinary grab and go.
From its first store opening at Robinsons Galleria in 1994, Handyman Do it Best has continuously grown and made its mark among do-it-yourselfers, with branches in Robinsons Malls and other major malls across the country. Its selection for value-for-money hardware, electrical and lighting, power tools, and plumbing products has expanded to the thousands over the years.
In 2001, Handyman became a member of Do It Best Corporation, one of the largest hardware and home improvement cooperatives in the USA.
With the Filipino consumer in mind, Handyman has molded itself into one of the most trusted hardware stores in the country.
True Value’s retail concept of a lifestyle home center goes beyond the conventional do-it-yourself store. Acquired by Robinsons Retail in 2007, True Value has evolved into becoming a destination store for unique home and office finds.
True Home is a household furnishings concept store launched by True Value last April 2015 that prioritizes comfort, function, and style. The interior retail branch offers a well-chosen selection of imported, high-quality brands of home décor, bed and bath necessities, kitchen and dining wares, and storage solutions.
True Value and the True Home concept have become haven to home improvement enthusiasts, offering both classic and contemporary pieces and tasteful design ideas for their living spaces.
In 2014, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. acquired A.M. Builders’ Depot, the second largest big box hardware chain in Visayas and Mindoro. Since then, the stores have been rebranded as Robinsons Builders, featuring an improved layout for a better customer experience.
Robinsons Builders puts a premium on building relationships with local and international suppliers to give customers quality merchandise at competitive prices and responsive, custom services for every project.
Our stores house a vast assortment of construction products including floor tiles and accessories, water closet and lavatory fixtures, hardware and paints, lumber materials, electrical supplies, and more.
Under Robinsons Builders is De Oro Pacific Home Plus, the brand’s big box hardware counterpart. Primarily based in Northern Mindanao, the two brands’ combined geographic scope has widened its services to more consumers, farther south of the Philippines.
Department Store, Beauty & Toys
Department Store
We’re always on the lookout for products that improve people’s quality of living in exciting ways through our Department Store segment which is fully equipped with its own business center, personal shopper delivery service, and online shopping platform via GoRobinsons.
From the trendiest fashion pieces to the most coveted home and lifestyle necessities, our department stores provide an enjoyable shopping experience of leisure, beyond the ordinary grab and go.
At Robinsons Department Store, one of the Philippines’ premier shopping destinations, consumers can expect to find an exceptional selection of merchandise from top international and local brands.
Each Robinsons Mall in the country is home to its own Robinsons Department Store, which serves as an anchor tenant for the chain of shopping centers.
The store itself is a one-stop lifestyle hub, designed to accommodate the needs of Filipino families of all ages. Among its key offerings are global and local apparel, beauty and personal care essentials, toys, home appliances, furniture, and living decor. Each store also has the Robinsons Business Center, which offers customers a multitude of financial products and services.
Aside from its core line-up of offerings, Robinsons Department Store also features products from Philippine SMEs. Its Tindahan and Go Lokal section introduce homegrown craftsmanship, delicacies, and innovations by connecting locally to the mainstream market.
Beauty
From premium to affordable cosmetics, Robinsons Retail’s Beauty Segment is dedicated to empowering women from all walks of life.
Our portfolio aims to provide women across different professions beauty and cosmetics products at reasonable price points. Through an agreement with Luxasia, Robinsons Retail is a licensed operator of Shiseido, Benefit, and Elizabeth Arden. Each has its own set of standalone stores located in premier malls in the country.
Likewise, the Robinsons Department Store Beauty Section offers a plethora of options from global and local cosmetics and skincare brands, such as the Estée Lauder Companies names and, most recently, Scentence from Korea.
Benefit Cosmetics instantly became a successful global beauty brand by providing quick fixes for every girl’s beauty dilemmas.
The brand proves that a double dose of wackiness mixed with beauty care know-how is the perfect combination to put a smile on women’s faces. Today, it continues to deliver the message to Benebabes worldwide: laughter is the best cosmetic.
With over 140 years of service, Shiseido continues its mission to source superior ingredients paired with innovation to deliver the best that beauty has to offer.
The brand is dedicated to developing products of value, ranging from cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, and suncare. Together, its variety of products are the main drivers for Shiseido’s success, adding a touch of care to the lives of customers, across diverse cultures.
Toys
A go-to store for toy lovers of all ages, Toys “R” Us offers an unparalleled selection of toys, video games, learning aids, electronics, and outdoor playsets. It is also proud to have its own line of private label brands and exclusive merchandise for kids and hobbyists alike.
Toys “R” Us operates stand-alone stores and the toys section of all Robinsons Department Store branches nationwide.
Beauty
From premium to affordable cosmetics, Robinsons Retail’s Beauty Segment is dedicated to empowering women from all walks of life.
Our portfolio aims to provide women across different professions beauty and cosmetics products at reasonable price points. Through an agreement with Luxasia, Robinsons Retail is a licensed operator of Shiseido, Benefit, and Elizabeth Arden. Each has its own set of standalone stores located in premier malls in the country.
Likewise, the Robinsons Department Store Beauty Section offers a plethora of options from global and local cosmetics and skincare brands, such as the Estée Lauder Companies names and, most recently, Scentence from Korea.
Benefit Cosmetics instantly became a successful global beauty brand by providing quick fixes for every girl’s beauty dilemmas.
The brand proves that a double dose of wackiness mixed with beauty care know-how is the perfect combination to put a smile on women’s faces. Today, it continues to deliver the message to Benebabes worldwide: laughter is the best cosmetic.
With over 140 years of service, Shiseido continues its mission to source superior ingredients paired with innovation to deliver the best that beauty has to offer.
The brand is dedicated to developing products of value, ranging from cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, and suncare. Together, its variety of products are the main drivers for Shiseido’s success, adding a touch of care to the lives of customers, across diverse cultures.
Toys
A go-to store for toy lovers of all ages, Toys “R” Us offers an unparalleled selection of toys, video games, learning aids, electronics, and outdoor playsets. It is also proud to have its own line of private label brands and exclusive merchandise for kids and hobbyists alike.
Toys “R” Us operates stand-alone stores and the toys section of all Robinsons Department Store branches nationwide.
Convenience Store
We’re always on the lookout for products that improve people’s quality of living in exciting ways through our Department Store segment which is fully equipped with its own business center, personal shopper delivery service, and online shopping platform via GoRobinsons.
From the trendiest fashion pieces to the most coveted home and lifestyle necessities, our department stores provide an enjoyable shopping experience of leisure, beyond the ordinary grab and go.Robinsons Retail expanded upon its goal to provide people easy access to food and beverage selections with the establishment of its Convenience Store segment.
Ministop, the company’s convenience store chain, is present in close to 500 locations across business districts and highly urbanized areas nationwide. It is normally open 24 hours, particularly in high traffic areas.
Convenience Store
Robinsons Retail expanded upon its goal to provide people easy access to food and beverage selections with the establishment of its Convenience Store segment.
Ministop, the company’s convenience store chain, is present in close to 500 locations across business districts and highly urbanized areas nationwide. It is normally open 24 hours, particularly in high traffic areas.
The Convenience Store format remains to be an agile business, as it shifted its merchandise categories towards grocery items for customers amidst the transport challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From its first store opening at Robinsons Galleria in 1994, Handyman Do it Best has continuously grown and made its mark among do-it-yourselfers, with branches in Robinsons Malls and other major malls across the country. Its selection for value-for-money hardware, electrical and lighting, power tools, and plumbing products has expanded to the thousands over the years.
In 2001, Handyman became a member of Do It Best Corporation, one of the largest hardware and home improvement cooperatives in the USA.
With the Filipino consumer in mind, Handyman has molded itself into one of the most trusted hardware stores in the country.
From its first store opening at Robinsons Galleria in 1994, Handyman Do it Best has continuously grown and made its mark among do-it-yourselfers, with branches in Robinsons Malls and other major malls across the country. Its selection for value-for-money hardware, electrical and lighting, power tools, and plumbing products has expanded to the thousands over the years.
In 2001, Handyman became a member of Do It Best Corporation, one of the largest hardware and home improvement cooperatives in the USA.
With the Filipino consumer in mind, Handyman has molded itself into one of the most trusted hardware stores in the country.
Appliances & Electronics
As technology continuously evolves, so do the many ways we take on our everyday tasks.
From cooking to cleaning, to business and selling – we believe that appliances and electronics make life simpler, easier, and more enjoyable for the everyday Filipino.
With this, Robinsons Retail continues to expand its Appliance and Consumer Electronics segment operations nationwide in the hopes of providing the latest high-quality and cost-efficient products and services to home and business owners alike.
Appliances & Electronics
As technology continuously evolves, so do the many ways we take on our everyday tasks.
From cooking to cleaning, to business and selling – we believe that appliances and electronics make life simpler, easier, and more enjoyable for the everyday Filipino.
With this, Robinsons Retail continues to expand its Appliance and Consumer Electronics segment operations nationwide in the hopes of providing the latest high-quality and cost-efficient products and services to home and business owners alike.
Robinsons Appliances stands as one of the leading electronics providers of the country, offering the latest in technology through a wide selection of quality,
upscale appliances: smart kitchen solutions, HD and LED screens of all sizes, and the hottest smartphones in the market. The company partners with various local and global brands to provide top class entertainment systems and gadgets – becoming the go-to destination for techies, home, and business owners around the country.
Established in 2000, it now operates a network of more than 80 stores nationwide — all strategically positioned to give customers convenient access to its innovative products and help them address their appliance and entertainment needs. With its commitment to excellence, it strives to constantly improve its services to satisfy the evolving needs of customers.
customers convenient access to its innovative products and help them address their appliance and entertainment needs. With its commitment to excellence, it strives to constantly improve its services to satisfy the evolving needs of customers.
Savers Appliances (formerly Saver’s Appliance Depot) started as a small shop trading home appliances in Plaridel, Angeles City back in 1986. It has since evolved into a multi-million appliance retailer, known for its lasting yet affordable selection – made for homes and businesses of the same humble beginnings.
Savers Appliances has become not only a household name in the appliance industry but also a respected and reliable partner to various industries. The depot offers building, air-conditioning, ventilating equipment, and integration solutions nationwide.
The aim behind every store is to serve the needs of the customers by providing only the best quality products and services at affordable prices.
Apart from retail, Savers is also an official distributor for selected international and local brands in the Philippines, housing specialty and experience stores, and cementing itself as one of the top players in the country. Savers also has its own service and maintenance business, which further adds value to customers.
Mass Merchandise & Pets
Mass Merchandise
Robinsons’ Mass Merchandise segment houses a variety of budget-friendly lifestyle brands, providing customers with a wide array of fun and handy items for home and everyday use.
Spearheaded by Daiso Japan and Super 50 with over 100 branches nationwide, our Mass Merchandise segment offers an extensive selection of affordable food containers, storage solutions, kitchen essentials, cleaning tools, beauty products, pet toys, toiletries,
and much more.
Since 2014, Daiso Japan Philippines has been the authorized retailer of Daiso Industries Co. Limited, Japan’s No. 1 supplier of living ware goods. Just like Daiso Japan, popularly known for its 100 yen and up stores, Daiso Japan Philippines delivers the same variety of products and budget steals for a wholly fun shopping experience.
Daiso Japan Philippines offers customers an array of fun and funky stationery products, toys, lifestyle products, beauty and fashion apparel, home decors, Japanese interiors and ceramics, practical and functional household items, kitchenware and supplies, home improvement, gardening tools, pet food and accessories, official Sanrio items, and more kawaii finds starting at ₱88.
Super50 is a one-stop-shop with a fine selection of products priced at only Php50 each. Its commodities range from home and kitchen essentials, cleaning products, and accessories to office supplies and much more.
The Super 50 brand is a joint venture between Robinsons Retail and Peso Tree aiming to provide accessible products to a broad market and with a very affordable price point.
Pets
Through a franchise license agreement, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. brought Singapore-based pet retail and service chain Pet Lovers Centre (PLC) to the Philippines in 2018.
PLC was conceived as an avenue for pet owners to have access to products which specifically catered to their pets’ needs. In the Philippine retail landscape, it is committed to delivering the same value and pushing its philosophy of “All passion, all pets,” encouraging responsible ownership and fostering a wider appreciation for pet care.
With everything from fresh and dry pet food options with proper nutritional requirements to pet accessories such as toys, beds, and flea shampoos, our Pet Lovers’ Center houses an expansive selection – of both products and pets like tropical fish, ornamental shrimp, aquatic plants, and small pet mammals.
PLC is also part of the World Pet Association, formerly the World Wide Pet Industry Association, which is the oldest non-profit trade organization in the pet industry.
Sustainability Across Our Business
The Greater Goods
Our Products and Partners
At Robinsons Retail, we aim to deliver the best products and services to our customers. We are able to do this through our diverse banners and by working closely with a vast network of suppliers and distributors. Across our complex ecosystem of partners in our supply chain, we focus on the quality of the merchandise we put on the shelves, employing strict quality control measures at every step of our operations.
In all aspects of business where products are handled, from our distribution centers to our stores, we see to it that our inventory maintains conditions ideal for merchandise. This is especially important with the fresh produce and packaged food items in our supermarkets, where we have strict monitoring and quality control for perishable items. As part of the healthcare sector, our drugstores also observe strict compliance to pertinent regulations in the procurement, storage and sale of medicines.
All our merchandise undergoes proper accreditation to be fit for consumption and usage. Depending on the product, our banners comply with requirements to ensure product safety and quality with the end consumer in mind. Toys ‘R’ Us, for example, is strict with all the components used in the manufacturing of toys, ensuring that they are non-toxic and non-flammable, so children are free to learn and explore with safety. Our Appliances and Do-it-Yourself stores likewise prioritize safety and performance for electrical and electronic devices, as it works with reputable brands and manufacturers to provide durable and effective products to customers.
Food Safety at Our Supermarkets
Our Quality Assurance Department in our Supermarket Segment conducts periodic audits in stores and distribution centers to ensure that our establishments are following our standard procedures for Food Safety. Our Food Safety Audit monitors the following parameters:
• Hygiene
• Cleaning & Sanitation
• Waste Management
• Sanitary Facilities
• Temperature Control
• Food Storage & Display
• Product Control
• Pest Management
• Food Preparation Areas
• Receiving
• Management Control
Shared Success: Our Supermarkets’ Farm to Table Program
As of end 2021, Robinsons Supermarket’s Farm to Table Project (FTT) engaged over 700 small-hold farmers from all over the country. The project empowers and encourages farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices that preserve soil health, use less water, and have less dependence on artificial pesticides.
The project started in 2018 and empowers farmers primarily through farm-gate rates and fair-market deals, which we establish through close collaboration and discourse. With farmers initially relying solely on wet markets and various middlemen, where prices and orders often fluctuate, FTT also gives much needed security to the partners through stable order quantities of produce.
Through FTT and offering stable demand for fresh produce at fair market prices, we brought quality produce from provinces in the Philippines, empowering both local producers and our consumers. At present, most fresh fruits and vegetables are sourced from farms in Luzon, namely Abra, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, and Zambales. Some farms are also located in Metro Manila and Visayas (Cebu and Bacolod) and Mindanao (Davao).
Customers also benefit from the project because measures are undertaken to guarantee freshness, safety, and quality. Information displayed on where and how the goods were farmed and sourced. The visibility of organic and GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certified farms also inform consumers about the kind of work that goes into the products. Information is key to transparency, and as it lends authenticity to the project and bridges farmers to customers.
From a sustainability standpoint, the FTT addresses a need to support the agricultural sector and recognizes the irreplaceable role it plays in society in its provision of food – the most basic of necessities. Given that food is a major part of the supermarket business, it is directly tied to our operations and our supermarkets’ health and wellness value proposition to customers.
TGP: Accessible Medicine and Entrepreneurship
TGP was founded by Benjamin Liuson with a deep awareness of the need to provide Filipinos with effective and affordable medicine. Prior to the significant push for generics in the 1990’s with the passing of the Cheaper Medicine Act, drugstore shelves were dominated by branded pharmaceutical products, which were largely inaccessible to low income communities.
TGP, which had its apt introduction as The Generics Pharmacy, was therefore driven both by entrepreneurial ideals and advocacy, proving that it was possible for businesses to be profitable while fulfilling a mission of inclusivity, where everyone should be able to have quality medicine when they need it. Indeed, TGP is proud to call itself “TGPagpagaling ng Pilipinas”, drawing from its aspirations to serve all Filipinos, regardless of economic background.
At present, TGP has over 2,000 branches across all regions of the Philippines, and has undergone a series of reinventions as it continues to evolve to adapt to present market needs. The Company traces its beginnings to 1949 with the founding of Pacific Pharmaceutical Generics Inc., a German importer and wholesaler of medicine. Ten years later, the company was bought by the Liuson family.
Under the helm of Ben Liuson, there came the realization of the opportunity to serve the market through retail, and he opened his first store under the banner DLI Pharmacy, maintaining only one branch in Quezon City. Six years later, in 2007, DLI rebranded itself to The Generics Pharmacy and adopted the franchise business model, a significant pillar in its development which jump-started the growth of its branches. The franchise model allowed the Company to expand with its services to an ever-growing captive market, succeeding through a collaborative strategy with franchisees who were part of the very communities they were serving.
TGP paved a path for shared success through genuine inclusivity. Hand in hand with the franchisees, many of whom are small business owners and who had their start in entrepreneurship through TGP, the Company was not only able to give medical access to lower income households, it became a vehicle for social mobility as well.
At present, TGP has close to 500 active franchisees, operating its vast network of pharmacies across the archipelago.
In 2016, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. through its subsidiary South Star Drug, Inc., acquired 51% of TGP. The partnership has brought about exciting and progressive synergies, which bolstered the banner’s expansion plans to underserved areas. TGP complements Robinsons Retail’s mainstream drugstore formats, Southstar Drug and Rose Pharmacy, with the whole drugstore portfolio serving a diverse array of customers from different income segments.
Bringing Filipino Consumers A Wider Array of Options
When we acquired Rustan Supercenters, Inc. from DFI Group in 2018, we solidified our presence as one of the leading food retailers for premium imported products. One of the most significant manifestations of synergies with DFI was the expansion of our portfolio of foreign brands which we now bring to the Filipino market. These include curated food items under the Meadows label, and gourmet Italian oils and sauces under the BASSO and Sacla brand, as well as high quality pet food under VitaPet.
Through our Supermarket Segment, we are also in partnership with the Casino Group of France, which is one of the largest food retailers in the world, as well as Waitrose & Partners of the United Kingdom, which offers consumers ethically and sustainably sourced merchandise. At the core of our collaborations is the goal to give Filipino consumers more choices and experiences with each product that we sell in our stores.
Taste True Australia with Woolworths
Through our Supermarket Segment, we are also in partnership with the Casino Group of France, which is one of the largest food retailers in the world, as well as Waitrose & Partners of the United Kingdom, which offers consumers ethically and sustainably sourced merchandise. At the core of our collaborations is the goal to give Filipino consumers more choices and experiences with each product that we sell in our stores.
“Australia is globally recognized as a reliable supplier of superior quality products so it is with confidence that we bring in world-class products from Woolworths to the Philippines. We want to share with our customers these household favorites from Australia. It has always been our thrust to continue offering new products that will excite our shoppers every time they visit our stores. Woolworths’ values are also consistent with the Robinsons Supermarket Group’s focus on health and wellness.” said Jody Gadia, former Managing Director of Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise and The Marketplace.
Andrew Goudie, Woolworths International General Manager said:
Supporting Local at
Robinsons Department Store
Robinsons Department Store sources locally produced items and celebrates Filipino creativity through the Go Lokal! program and the Tindahan section in Robinsons Department Store Galleria. The sections feature items produced by medium scale enterprises, many of which are carefully handmade crafts, health and beauty products and local delicacies. The department stores provide mainstream access to these items, as well as marketing assistance to participating small enterprises in the form of assisted visual displays, planograms, and social media exposure.
“The Galleria Store” also reinvented its Home Section, re-envisioned as a 1,500 square-meter space that features a wide selection of trusted brands of home décor, furnishings, domestic appliances, storage units, and houseware. It also highlights a 160 square-meter flagship store of Curated Home, Robinsons Department Store’s exclusive brand.
Curated Home provides a treasure trove of décor and accent pieces that are personally hand-picked by the brand’s Creative Director, renowned furniture designer and visual storyteller Ito Kish. Over the years, Robinsons Department Store has built a close relationship with Ito Kish, whose insight and sensibilities play a huge role in curating items in the Home and Lifestyle Section of our stores.
Curated Home provides a treasure trove of décor and accent pieces that are personally hand-picked by the brand’s Creative Director, renowned furniture designer and visual storyteller Ito Kish. Over the years, Robinsons Department Store has built a close relationship with Ito Kish, whose insight and sensibilities play a huge role in curating items in the Home and Lifestyle Section of our stores.
Our Partnerships for Sustainable Products
In line with our goals for sustainability and supplier collaboration, our Supermarket Fresh Division piloted the Fish Right Program with Fishta Seafood, which is spearheaded by USAID and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. The aim of the program is to promote sustainable fishing, with the objective of preventing overfishing, marine degradation, and supply chain transparency. The initiative was formalized by a 17-month initial partnership to adopt responsible seafood sourcing (RSS) which was signed on April 16, 2021.
The partnership involves activities such as buyer and consumer education, supply chain mapping, supplier engagement and development of the company’s RSS policy. The RSS policy supports anti-illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing measures, the exclusion of endangered, threatened, and protected species, right-sizing and adherence to local and national fisheries regulations.
Also in line with marine protection, Toys ‘R’ Us also became the first toy retailer in the Philippines to carry the Barbie Loves the Ocean collection. It is primarily made of 90% recycled ocean-bound plastic parts. It is also accompanied with the Beach Shack playset and accessories, made from over 90% recycled plastic.
USAID and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. The aim of the program is to promote sustainable fishing, with the objective of preventing overfishing, marine degradation, and supply chain transparency. The initiative was formalized by a 17-month initial partnership to adopt responsible seafood sourcing (RSS) which was signed on April 16, 2021.
The partnership involves activities such as buyer and consumer education, supply chain mapping, supplier engagement and development of the company’s RSS policy. The RSS policy supports anti-illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing measures, the exclusion of endangered, threatened, and protected species, right-sizing and adherence to local and national fisheries regulations.
Also in line with marine protection, Toys ‘R’ Us also became the first toy retailer in the Philippines to carry the Barbie Loves the Ocean collection. It is primarily made of 90% recycled ocean-bound plastic parts. It is also accompanied with the Beach Shack playset and accessories, made from over 90% recycled plastic.
Our Relationship with Suppliers
The procurement of goods and services from diverse suppliers is crucial to sustaining our core operations while we support the livelihood of various businesses and provide access to goods for end consumers. At present, our supplier base is largely local as over 90% of our vendors are Philippine-based manufacturers and distributors, including those that source products abroad and serve as the official distributors of foreign brands.
We value collaboration to achieve mutually-beneficial terms with our suppliers, especially as we work with small and medium enterprises. Moving forward, we see business potential in the greater involvement with small and medium enterprises and introducing the market to
high-quality locally sourced products.
Our business units directly engage suppliers through its Merchandising and Operations Departments, and through the Marketing Departments for joint programs and promotions. Through our stakeholder engagement and internal assessments, we identified procurement terms, payment schedule, and availability of stocks for fast moving items as material in the daily conduct of business.
One of our goals is to continue improving forecasting demand, as more accuracy aids in maintaining our just-in time inventory delivery system. This increases supply efficiency as goods arrive only when they are needed, reducing shrinkage or wastage in the process. Our distribution centers also follow a cross-docking system, where goods from suppliers are consolidated and sent to our stores in a strict, time-bound manner. This enables the faster delivery of products and reduces the unnecessary maintenance of stocks.
Our Supplier Accreditation Policy
Robinsons Retail has an accreditation policy that primarily qualifies suppliers based on their capacity to operate and supply the quality and quantity demands of the business, as well as pertinent documentation and government permits on their license to operate where applicable.
Goods and stores are also monitored by quality assurance officers and each business unit also has standard store procedures on the proper disposal of waste and expired items. To guarantee that our suppliers meet our standards, we employ a comprehensive supplier accreditation system. The process starts with an assessment of the product quality and marketability of merchandise from prospective partners. Suppliers that pass the assessment then submit the required government documents and undergo interviews to confirm their commitment to working with us. Through the years, we have forged long-term partnerships with some trusted suppliers with whom we have grown our business. We make sure that all suppliers, big or small, are given opportunities to grow their business.
Our supplier selection process is a critical aspect of our business. Only accredited suppliers can provide the goods and service requirements of the company and only those products or services that received accreditation shall be supplied by an accredited supplier. Inclusion of additional commodities from an existing supplier shall require accreditation.
Inspection, evaluation and accreditation of potential suppliers shall be carried out by our Supplier Accreditation Teams, who are composed of individuals who have the qualifications and capabilities to evaluate the eligibility of the suppliers to be accredited.
We also benchmark the quality of its disclosures on relevant supply chain issues with compliance to laws and with the policies of regional peers, as long as they are deemed material to the nature of the business.
Supplier Sustainability Survey
In June 2021, we piloted a Supplier Sustainability Survey among the Supermarket Segment’s top vendors, which is composed of major global and local FMCG manufacturers and conglomerates. The objectives of the survey were to further engage our suppliers, have greater visibility on ESG in our value chain, and seek opportunities for sustainable collaborations. These vendors, which contribute around 51% to sales of the Supermarket Segment, were surveyed on five key areas, namely the presence of an Environmental or Waste Management Policy, Energy Consumption Reduction, Reduction of Landfilled Waste, Policies on Child Labor and Human Rights, and Sustainability Reporting.
A total of 14 vendors responded, with the majority of whom are already implementing Sustainability initiatives across these key areas, while others have on-going plans to integrate initiatives in the next 1-2 years.
Serving Our Communities
Through various initiatives spearheaded by our business units, we are able to actively engage the communities we serve in significant ways. From responsive corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects to continuously improving our products and services towards inclusivity, we believe that Robinsons Retail operates with positive impacts towards people within and beyond our day to day operations.
Empowering our Partners
in Healthcare
Since 2017, Southstar Drug and the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation have supported 125 pharmacy students by aiding them in their studies and career prospects. To better secure employment after graduation and passing the licensure examination for pharmacists, the scholars are hired and deployed to our different branches across the country. At present, 43 graduates have joined Southstar Drug as pharmacists.
Along with fostering professional opportunities for scholars, Southstar Drug also opened its doors to persons with disabilities to be part of its pool of employments. Through Project Inclusion, a joint initiative with Unilab Foundation, the banner has employed persons with disabilities in its stores and celebrated differently-abled individuals through CSR activities, founded on the principle that everyone should have access to economic empowerment.
Furthermore, our drugstore banners also conduct annual summits for pharmacists and, for TGP, its franchisees. TGP likewise launched its virtual educational platform, TGP Academy, in 2020, to aid in the career development of its employees. In 2021, Southstar Drug and Rose Pharmacy held a joint Pharmacists Summit, where they honored 15 Exemplary Pharmacists for showing exceptional performance over the past year during their Annual Pharmacists Summit held last September 25 and 26. With the theme “Rise to the Challenge: Agile Pharmacists in a Changing Healthcare Environment”, the summit was conducted in conjunction with World Pharmacists Day, which is held every 25th of September.
The Southstar Drug and Rose Pharmacy Summit was attended by over 1,000 pharmacists, with plenary talks led by notable industry leaders such as Hon. Anthony Aldrin Santiago,
RPh; Jaime Acosta-Gomez, and Marilyn Young Tiu, RPh. The insightful dialogue aimed to equip the participants with new knowledge to adapt with the current challenges and opportunities in the drugstore sector, as well as drive further engagement with pharmaceutical brands.
TGP also held its annual summit on August 25 and 26, 2021, with the first day dedicated to its pharmacists. With the themes “Ang TGPagpagaling ng Pilipinas: Tamang Gabay at Kalinga Para sa Kalusugan ng Bayan” and “Reaffirming TGP’s Commitment to Primary Health Care and Responsible Self Care”, the event was composed of plenary talks on the role of drugstores and pharmacists in serving communities.
With an audience composed of over 600 TGP pharmacists, the talks were delivered by industry experts who covered topics ranging from pharmacists being the interface between consumers and informed self-care, to updated information on prevalent medical conditions such as neuropathy and anemia, to the necessary adaptations drugstores must make in a pandemic and post-pandemic reality.
On Day 2 of the TGP Summit, close to 500 franchisees. TGP sees its franchisees as crucial business partners, as they play a vital role in the community and the drugstore’s mission of bringing accessible healthcare to all Filipinos.
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said in his keynote speech, “By selling budget-friendly medicines, you are helping our people who need affordable medication especially now that jobs and employment have been affected by the pandemic, and taking care of one’s health has become doubly important. […] As a local franchise, you save jobs and livelihoods by continuing to operate.”
During the event, TGP also gave out its annual Founder’s Cup and Trade Partners Awards, which recognizes exceptional performance in the past year among its franchisees and vendors, respectively.
Inclusive Prices for Customers
Robinsons Supermarket also supported the Department of Trade and Industry’s Presyong Risonable Dapat (PRD) – Frozen Meat Edition, rolling our lower-priced imported frozen pork and chicken cuts in branches in NCR in July 2021. The program is one of DTI’s measures to make basic commodities more affordable to the market. Robinsons Supermarket shared the same mission to put consumers’ interest top priority and this includes fair pricing on goods.
Prioritizing Customer Satisfaction
We approach customer protection and addressing product or service issues by putting in place quality control and assurance policies and avenues where customers may communicate any form of feedback at our stores, which include the contact information available on our website and the subsidiary websites, as well as in social media. Stores also have Customer Service kiosks to communicate their concerns with management.
The Supermarket Segment collected customer complaints received via store or phone, and ended 2021 with 84.3% complaints addressed within the segment’s internal policies and the segment likewise aims to improve these figures in 2022. Pursuant to the BSP Circular 857 Regulation on Financial Consumer Protection, we crafted a comprehensive Consumer Protection Manual initially implemented across our stores.
Recognition of Service through DTI’s Bagwis Awards
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recognized pro-consumer efforts in our stores as we ended 2021 with 131 Gold Bagwis Awardees across our banners Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Easymart, The Marketplace, Shopwise, Handyman Do It Best, Robinsons Appliances, and Savers Appliances.
The DTI-Bagwis Program gives due recognition to establishments in the Philippines that uphold the rights of consumers, with the following factors taken into account:
• Compliance to Fair Trade Laws
• Customer Relations
• Store Management Operations
• Social Commitment &
Responsible Business Sector
• Compliance to ISO 9001 Quality
Management System Standards
Reducing Food Waste and
Advocating for Nutrition
Working closely with our vendors, we aim to reduce food waste by continuously improving our just-in-time deliveries to stores and adjusting to consumer demand. We are likewise in partnership with civil society organizations, such as the Ateneo Center for Development of the Ateneo De Manila University and World Vision, to support vulnerable groups such as mothers and children living in poverty by diverting excess food products to support food banks and feeding programs for vulnerable sectors. The donated items, which are fit for consumption but not fit for sale due to standardized retail requirements, are turned into healthy meals to aid in the nutritional requirements of communities, particularly
school-age children.
Since 2018, we have been working with relief organization Feeding Metro Manila in our efforts to reduce food waste from our supermarkets. In line with our Supermarket Group’s values of promoting health, wellness, and sustainability, excess produce and stocks from our stores are prepared and cooked into healthy meals for beneficiaries in communities with the ABS CBN Foundation providing logistical support.
This collaborative effort aims to help provide greater access to nutrition in impoverished areas, especially for children.
In celebration of World Food Day, The Marketplace also partnered up with Thrive Foundation and Woolworths Group to deliver 400 healthy packed meals for schoolchildren from City Gates Academy in Antipolo City, Rizal, on October 16, 2021.
We value collaborations for health and nutrition as these are very much aligned with our supermarkets’ values. Thrive Foundation is an international NGO with the goal of fighting the hunger in developing nations through joint initiatives with various brands, corporations, and individuals. We are also pleased to work with Australia’s leading food retailer Woolworths for this project.
Contributions to SDGs
Our contributions to
Sustainable Development Goals
Robinsons Retail actively takes into account the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as a framework in its operations and targetive initiatives on Sustainability.
Through our Supermarket Segment, we are also in partnership with the Casino Group of France, which is one of the largest food retailers in the world, as well as Waitrose & Partners of the United Kingdom, which offers consumers ethically and sustainably sourced merchandise. At the core of our collaborations is the goal to give Filipino consumers more choices and experiences with each product that we sell in our stores.
From its first store opening at Robinsons Galleria in 1994, Handyman Do it Best has continuously grown and made its mark among do-it-yourselfers, with branches in Robinsons Malls and other major malls across the country. Its selection for value-for-money hardware, electrical and lighting, power tools, and plumbing products has expanded to the thousands over the years.
In 2001, Handyman became a member of Do It Best Corporation, one of the largest hardware and home improvement cooperatives in the USA.
With the Filipino consumer in mind, Handyman has molded itself into one of the most trusted hardware stores in the country.
Savers Appliances (formerly Saver’s Appliance Depot) started as a small shop trading home appliances in Plaridel, Angeles City back in 1986. It has since evolved into a multi-million appliance retailer, known for its lasting yet affordable selection – made for homes and businesses of the same humble beginnings.
Savers Appliances has become not only a household name in the appliance industry but also a respected and reliable partner to various industries. The depot offers building, air-conditioning, ventilating equipment, and integration solutions nationwide.
The aim behind every store is to serve the needs of the customers by providing only the best quality products and services at affordable prices.
Apart from retail, Savers is also an official distributor for selected international and local brands in the Philippines, housing specialty and experience stores, and cementing itself as one of the top players in the country. Savers also has its own service and maintenance business, which further adds value to customers.
Mass Merchandise & Pets
Mass Merchandise
Robinsons’ Mass Merchandise segment houses a variety of budget-friendly lifestyle brands, providing customers with a wide array of fun and handy items for home and everyday use.
Spearheaded by Daiso Japan and Super 50 with over 100 branches nationwide, our Mass Merchandise segment offers an extensive selection of affordable food containers, storage solutions, kitchen essentials, cleaning tools, beauty products, pet toys, toiletries,
and much more.
Since 2014, Daiso Japan Philippines has been the authorized retailer of Daiso Industries Co. Limited, Japan’s No. 1 supplier of living ware goods. Just like Daiso Japan, popularly known for its 100 yen and up stores, Daiso Japan Philippines delivers the same variety of products and budget steals for a wholly fun shopping experience.
Daiso Japan Philippines offers customers an array of fun and funky stationery products, toys, lifestyle products, beauty and fashion apparel, home decors, Japanese interiors and ceramics, practical and functional household items, kitchenware and supplies, home improvement, gardening tools, pet food and accessories, official Sanrio items, and more kawaii finds starting at ₱88.
Super50 is a one-stop-shop with a fine selection of products priced at only Php50 each. Its commodities range from home and kitchen essentials, cleaning products, and accessories to office supplies and much more.
The Super 50 brand is a joint venture between Robinsons Retail and Peso Tree aiming to provide accessible products to a broad market and with a very affordable price point.
Pets
Robinsons’ Pets segment caters to pet lovers and their animal companions, providing an avenue for quality pet care, superior pet products, and dedicated pet services.
Solely composed of Pet Lovers’ Centre with 4 branches nationwide, our stores offer an extensive selection of fresh and dry food, toys, beds, shampoos, as well as a section featuring tropical fish, ornamental shrimp, aquatic plants, small pet mammals and more.
Through a franchise license agreement, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. brought Singapore-based pet retail and service chain Pet Lovers Centre (PLC) to the Philippines in 2018.
PLC was conceived as an avenue for pet owners to have access to products which specifically catered to their pets’ needs. In the Philippine retail landscape, it is committed to delivering the same value and pushing its philosophy of “All passion, all pets,” encouraging responsible ownership and fostering a wider appreciation for pet care.
With everything from fresh and dry pet food options with proper nutritional requirements to pet accessories such as toys, beds, and flea shampoos, our Pet Lovers’ Center houses an expansive selection – of both products and pets like tropical fish, ornamental shrimp, aquatic plants, and small pet mammals.
PLC is also part of the World Pet Association, formerly the World Wide Pet Industry Association, which is the oldest non-profit trade organization in the pet industry.
Sustainability Across Our Business
The Greater Goods
Our Products and Partners
At Robinsons Retail, we aim to deliver the best products and services to our customers. We are able to do this through our diverse banners and by working closely with a vast network of suppliers and distributors. Across our complex ecosystem of partners in our supply chain, we focus on the quality of the merchandise we put on the shelves, employing strict quality control measures at every step of our operations.
In all aspects of business where products are handled, from our distribution centers to our stores, we see to it that our inventory maintains conditions ideal for merchandise. This is especially important with the fresh produce and packaged food items in our supermarkets, where we have strict monitoring and quality control for perishable items. As part of the healthcare sector, our drugstores also observe strict compliance to pertinent regulations in the procurement, storage and sale of medicines.
All our merchandise undergoes proper accreditation to be fit for consumption and usage. Depending on the product, our banners comply with requirements to ensure product safety and quality with the end consumer in mind. Toys ‘R’ Us, for example, is strict with all the components used in the manufacturing of toys, ensuring that they are non-toxic and non-flammable, so children are free to learn and explore with safety. Our Appliances and Do-it-Yourself stores likewise prioritize safety and performance for electrical and electronic devices, as it works with reputable brands and manufacturers to provide durable and effective products to customers.
Food Safety at Our Supermarkets
Our Quality Assurance Department in our Supermarket Segment conducts periodic audits in stores and distribution centers to ensure that our establishments are following our standard procedures for Food Safety. Our Food Safety Audit monitors the following parameters:
• Hygiene
• Cleaning & Sanitation
• Waste Management
• Sanitary Facilities
• Temperature Control
• Food Storage & Display
• Product Control
• Pest Management
• Food Preparation Areas
• Receiving
• Management Control
Shared Success: Our Supermarkets’ Farm to Table Program
As of end 2021, Robinsons Supermarket’s Farm to Table Project (FTT) engaged over 700 small-hold farmers from all over the country. The project empowers and encourages farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices that preserve soil health, use less water, and have less dependence on artificial pesticides.
The project started in 2018 and empowers farmers primarily through farm-gate rates and fair-market deals, which we establish through close collaboration and discourse. With farmers initially relying solely on wet markets and various middlemen, where prices and orders often fluctuate, FTT also gives much needed security to the partners through stable order quantities of produce.
Through FTT and offering stable demand for fresh produce at fair market prices, we brought quality produce from provinces in the Philippines, empowering both local producers and our consumers. At present, most fresh fruits and vegetables are sourced from farms in Luzon, namely Abra,
Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, and Zambales. Some farms are also located in Metro Manila and Visayas (Cebu and Bacolod) and Mindanao (Davao).
Customers also benefit from the project because measures are undertaken to guarantee freshness, safety, and quality. Information displayed on where and how the goods were farmed and sourced. The visibility of organic and GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certified farms also inform consumers about the kind of work that goes into the products. Information is key to transparency, and as it lends authenticity to the project and bridges farmers to customers.
From a sustainability standpoint, the FTT addresses a need to support the agricultural sector and recognizes the irreplaceable role it plays in society in its provision of food – the most basic of necessities. Given that food is a major part of the supermarket business, it is directly tied to our operations and our supermarkets’ health and wellness value proposition to customers.
TGP: Accessible Medicine and Entrepreneurship
TGP was founded by Benjamin Liuson with a deep awareness of the need to provide Filipinos with effective and affordable medicine. Prior to the significant push for generics in the 1990’s with the passing of the Cheaper Medicine Act, drugstore shelves were dominated by branded pharmaceutical products, which were largely inaccessible to low income communities.
TGP, which had its apt introduction as The Generics Pharmacy, was therefore driven both by entrepreneurial ideals and advocacy, proving that it was possible for businesses to be profitable while fulfilling a mission of inclusivity, where everyone should be able to have quality medicine when they need it. Indeed, TGP is proud to call itself “TGPagpagaling ng Pilipinas”, drawing from its aspirations to serve all Filipinos, regardless of economic background.
At present, TGP has over 2,000 branches across all regions of the Philippines, and has undergone a series of reinventions as it continues to evolve to adapt to present market needs. The Company traces its beginnings to 1949 with the founding of Pacific Pharmaceutical Generics Inc., a German importer and wholesaler of medicine. Ten years later, the company was bought by the Liuson family.
Under the helm of Ben Liuson, there came the realization of the opportunity to serve the market through retail, and he opened his first store under the
banner DLI Pharmacy, maintaining only one branch in Quezon City. Six years later, in 2007, DLI rebranded itself to The Generics Pharmacy and adopted the franchise business model, a significant pillar in its development which jump-started the growth of its branches. The franchise model allowed the Company to expand with its services to an ever-growing captive market, succeeding through a collaborative strategy with franchisees who were part of the very communities they were serving.
TGP paved a path for shared success through genuine inclusivity. Hand in hand with the franchisees, many of whom are small business owners and who had their start in entrepreneurship through TGP, the Company was not only able to give medical access to lower income households, it became a vehicle for social mobility as well. At present, TGP has close to 500 active franchisees, operating its vast network of pharmacies across the archipelago.
In 2016, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. through its subsidiary South Star Drug, Inc., acquired 51% of TGP. The partnership has brought about exciting and progressive synergies, which bolstered the banner’s expansion plans to underserved areas. TGP complements Robinsons Retail’s mainstream drugstore formats, Southstar Drug and Rose Pharmacy, with the whole drugstore portfolio serving a diverse array of customers from different income segments.
Bringing Filipino Consumers A Wider Array of Options
When we acquired Rustan Supercenters, Inc. from DFI Group in 2018, we solidified our presence as one of the leading food retailers for premium imported products. One of the most significant manifestations of synergies with DFI was the expansion of our portfolio of foreign brands which we now bring to the Filipino market. These include curated food items under the Meadows label, and gourmet Italian oils and sauces under the BASSO and Sacla brand, as well as high quality pet food under VitaPet.
Through our Supermarket Segment, we are also in partnership with the Casino Group of France, which is one of the largest food retailers in the world, as well as Waitrose & Partners of the United Kingdom, which offers consumers ethically and sustainably sourced merchandise. At the core of our collaborations is the goal to give Filipino consumers more choices and experiences with each product that we sell in our stores.
Taste True Australia with Woolworths
Leading Australian food retailer Woolworths partnered with Robinsons Supermarket, The Marketplace and Shopwise to bring the Woolworths brand to the Philippines in June 2021. Established in 1924, Woolworths is Australia’s most valuable brand with over 1,000 supermarkets on the continent.
With the tagline “Taste True Australia”, the partnership launched over 150 products across various grocery categories. Woolworths has also embraced the trend towards healthier eating and is committed to innovation, ensuring products are produced with no artificial flavors and colors, reduced salts, sugar and fats, and more whole grains and fibers.
“Australia is globally recognized as a reliable supplier of superior quality products so it is with confidence that we bring in world-class products from Woolworths to the Philippines. We want to share with our customers these household favorites from Australia. It has always been our thrust to continue offering new products that will excite our shoppers every time they visit our stores. Woolworths’ values are also consistent with the Robinsons Supermarket Group’s focus on health and wellness.” said Jody Gadia, former Managing Director of Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise and The Marketplace.
Andrew Goudie, Woolworths International General Manager said:
Supporting Local at
Robinsons Department Store
Robinsons Department Store sources locally produced items and celebrates Filipino creativity through the Go Lokal! program and the Tindahan section in Robinsons Department Store Galleria. The sections feature items produced by medium scale enterprises, many of which are carefully handmade crafts, health and beauty products and local delicacies. The department stores provide mainstream access to these items, as well as marketing assistance to participating small enterprises in the form of assisted visual displays, planograms, and social media exposure.
“The Galleria Store” also reinvented its Home Section, re-envisioned as a 1,500 square-meter space that features a wide selection of trusted brands of home décor, furnishings, domestic appliances, storage units, and houseware. It also highlights a 160 square-meter flagship store of Curated Home, Robinsons Department Store’s exclusive brand. Curated Home provides a treasure trove of décor and accent pieces that are personally hand-picked by the brand’s Creative Director, renowned furniture designer and visual storyteller Ito Kish. Over the years, Robinsons Department Store has built a close relationship with Ito Kish, whose insight and sensibilities play a huge role in curating items in the Home and Lifestyle Section of our stores.
Our Partnerships for Sustainable Products
In line with our goals for sustainability and supplier collaboration, our Supermarket Fresh Division piloted the Fish Right Program with Fishta Seafood, which is spearheaded by USAID and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. The aim of the program is to promote sustainable fishing, with the objective of preventing overfishing, marine degradation, and supply chain transparency. The initiative was formalized by a 17-month initial partnership to adopt responsible seafood sourcing (RSS) which was signed on April 16, 2021.
The partnership involves activities such as buyer and consumer education, supply chain mapping, supplier engagement and development of the company’s RSS policy. The RSS policy supports anti-illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing measures, the exclusion of endangered, threatened, and protected species, right-sizing and adherence to local and national fisheries regulations.
Also in line with marine protection, Toys ‘R’ Us also became the first toy retailer in the Philippines to carry the Barbie Loves the Ocean collection. It is primarily made of 90% recycled ocean-bound plastic parts. It is also accompanied with the Beach Shack playset and accessories, made from over 90% recycled plastic.
“We are proud to launch Barbie Loves the Ocean in the Philippines. One of our goals is to encourage children to be more environmentally conscious and learn about sustainability at an early age. Through this partnership, I believe we are a step closer to achieving this goal,” said Celina Chua, Group General Manager of Toy ‘R’ Us and Robinsons Department Store.
Lastly, in partnership with Save Philippine Seas to protect the thresher shark population in Malapascua Island in Cebu, The Marketplace launched a promotional campaign to donate to Save Philippines Seas. The overall goal of the advocacy was to “narrow the gap between scientists and the general public, the old and young, and the passionate and indifferent by mobilizing SEAtizen-led initiatives that are empowering Filipinos towards collective action and behavior change.”
Under the program, we sold over 4,000 ecobags to encourage the use of reusable bags while shopping, and donated Php200,000 to our partner organization.
Our Relationship with Suppliers
The procurement of goods and services from diverse suppliers is crucial to sustaining our core operations while we support the livelihood of various businesses and provide access to goods for end consumers. At present, our supplier base is largely local as over 90% of our vendors are Philippine-based manufacturers and distributors, including those that source products abroad and serve as the official distributors of foreign brands.
We value collaboration to achieve mutually-beneficial terms with our suppliers, especially as we work with small and medium enterprises. Moving forward, we see business potential in the greater involvement with small and medium enterprises and introducing the market to high-quality locally sourced products.
Our business units directly engage suppliers through its Merchandising and Operations Departments, and through the Marketing Departments for joint programs and promotions. Through our stakeholder engagement and internal assessments, we identified procurement terms, payment schedule, and availability of stocks for fast moving items as material in the daily conduct of business.
One of our goals is to continue improving forecasting demand, as more accuracy aids in maintaining our just-in time inventory delivery system. This increases supply efficiency as goods arrive only when they are needed, reducing shrinkage or wastage in the process. Our distribution centers also follow a cross-docking system, where goods from suppliers are consolidated and sent to our stores in a strict, time-bound manner. This enables the faster delivery of products and reduces the unnecessary maintenance of stocks.
Our Supplier Accreditation Policy
Robinsons Retail has an accreditation policy that primarily qualifies suppliers based on their capacity to operate and supply the quality and quantity demands of the business, as well as pertinent documentation and government permits on their license to operate where applicable.
Goods and stores are also monitored by quality assurance officers and each business unit also has standard store procedures on the proper disposal of waste and expired items. To guarantee that our suppliers meet our standards, we employ a comprehensive supplier accreditation system. The process starts with an assessment of the product quality and marketability of merchandise from prospective partners. Suppliers that pass the assessment then submit the required government documents and undergo interviews to confirm their commitment to working with us. Through the years, we have forged long-term partnerships with some trusted suppliers with whom we have grown our business. We make sure that all suppliers, big or small, are given opportunities to grow their business.
Our Partnerships for Sustainable Products
Our supplier selection process is a critical aspect of our business. Only accredited suppliers can provide the goods and service requirements of the company and only those products or services that received accreditation shall be supplied by an accredited supplier. Inclusion of additional commodities from an existing supplier shall require accreditation.
Inspection, evaluation and accreditation of potential suppliers shall be carried out by our Supplier Accreditation Teams, who are composed of individuals who have the qualifications and capabilities to evaluate the eligibility of the suppliers to be accredited.
We also benchmark the quality of its disclosures on relevant supply chain issues with compliance to laws and with the policies of regional peers, as long as they are deemed material to the nature of the business.
Supplier Sustainability Survey
In June 2021, we piloted a Supplier Sustainability Survey among the Supermarket Segment’s top vendors, which is composed of major global and local FMCG manufacturers and conglomerates. The objectives of the survey were to further engage our suppliers, have greater visibility on ESG in our value chain, and seek opportunities for sustainable collaborations. These vendors, which contribute around 51% to sales of the Supermarket Segment, were surveyed on five key areas, namely the presence of an Environmental or Waste Management Policy, Energy Consumption Reduction, Reduction of Landfilled Waste, Policies on Child Labor and Human Rights, and Sustainability Reporting.
A total of 14 vendors responded, with the majority of whom are already implementing Sustainability initiatives across these key areas, while others have on-going plans to integrate initiatives in the next 1-2 years.
Serving Our Communities
Through various initiatives spearheaded by our business units, we are able to actively engage the communities we serve in significant ways. From responsive corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects to continuously improving our products and services towards inclusivity, we believe that Robinsons Retail operates with positive impacts towards people within and beyond our day to day operations.
Empowering Our Partners in Healthcare
Since 2017, Southstar Drug and the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation have supported 125 pharmacy students by aiding them in their studies and career prospects. To better secure employment after graduation and passing the licensure examination for pharmacists, the scholars are hired and deployed to our different branches across the country. At present, 43 graduates have joined Southstar Drug as pharmacists.
Along with fostering professional opportunities for scholars, Southstar Drug also opened its doors to persons with disabilities to be part of its pool of employments. Through Project Inclusion, a joint initiative with Unilab Foundation, the banner has employed persons with disabilities in its stores and celebrated differently-abled individuals through CSR activities, founded on the principle that everyone should have access to economic empowerment.
Furthermore, our drugstore banners also conduct annual summits for pharmacists and, for TGP, its franchisees. TGP likewise launched its virtual educational platform, TGP Academy, in 2020, to aid in the career development of its employees. In 2021, Southstar Drug and Rose Pharmacy held a joint Pharmacists Summit, where they honored 15 Exemplary Pharmacists for showing exceptional performance over the past year during their Annual Pharmacists Summit held last September 25 and 26. With the theme “Rise to the Challenge: Agile Pharmacists in a Changing Healthcare Environment”, the summit was conducted in conjunction with World Pharmacists Day, which is held every 25th of September.
The Southstar Drug and Rose Pharmacy Summit was attended by over 1,000 pharmacists, with plenary talks led by notable industry leaders such as Hon. Anthony Aldrin Santiago, RPh; Jaime Acosta-Gomez, and Marilyn Young Tiu, RPh. The insightful dialogue aimed to equip the participants with new knowledge to adapt with the current challenges and opportunities in the drugstore sector, as well as drive further engagement with pharmaceutical brands.
TGP also held its annual summit on August 25 and 26, 2021, with the first day dedicated to its pharmacists. With the themes “Ang TGPagpagaling ng Pilipinas: Tamang Gabay at Kalinga Para sa Kalusugan ng Bayan” and “Reaffirming TGP’s Commitment to Primary Health Care and Responsible Self Care”, the event was composed of plenary talks on the role of drugstores and pharmacists in serving communities.
With an audience composed of over 600 TGP pharmacists, the talks were delivered by industry experts who covered topics ranging from pharmacists being the interface between consumers and informed self-care, to updated information on prevalent medical conditions such as neuropathy and anemia, to the necessary adaptations drugstores must make in a pandemic and post-pandemic reality.
On Day 2 of the TGP Summit, close to 500 franchisees. TGP sees its franchisees as crucial business partners, as they play a vital role in the community and the drugstore’s mission of bringing accessible healthcare to all Filipinos.
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said in his keynote speech, “By selling budget-friendly medicines, you are helping our people who need affordable medication especially now that jobs and employment have been affected by the pandemic, and taking care of one’s health has become doubly important. […] As a local franchise, you save jobs and livelihoods by continuing to operate.”
During the event, TGP also gave out its annual Founder’s Cup and Trade Partners Awards, which recognizes exceptional performance in the past year among its franchisees and vendors, respectively.
Inclusive Prices for Customers
Robinsons Supermarket also supported the Department of Trade and Industry’s Presyong Risonable Dapat (PRD) – Frozen Meat Edition, rolling our lower-priced imported frozen pork and chicken cuts in branches in NCR in July 2021. The program is one of DTI’s measures to make basic commodities more affordable to the market. Robinsons Supermarket shared the same mission to put consumers’ interest top priority and this includes fair pricing on goods.
Prioritizing Consumer Protection
We approach customer protection and addressing product or service issues by putting in place quality control and assurance policies and avenues where customers may communicate any form of feedback at our stores, which include the contact information available on our website and the subsidiary websites, as well as in social media. Stores also have Customer Service kiosks to communicate their concerns with management.
The Supermarket Segment collected customer complaints received via store or phone, and ended 2021 with 84.3% complaints addressed within the segment’s internal policies and the segment likewise aims to improve these figures in 2022. Pursuant to the BSP Circular 857 Regulation on Financial Consumer Protection, we crafted a comprehensive Consumer Protection Manual initially implemented across our stores.
Recognition of Service through DTI’s Bagwis Awards
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recognized pro-consumer efforts in our stores as we ended 2021 with 131 Gold Bagwis Awardees across our banners Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Easymart, The Marketplace, Shopwise, Handyman Do It Best, Robinsons Appliances, and Savers Appliances.
The DTI-Bagwis Program gives due recognition to establishments in the Philippines that uphold the rights of consumers, with the following factors taken into account:
• Compliance to Fair Trade Laws
• Customer Relations
• Store Management Operations
• Social Commitment & Responsible Business Sector
• Compliance to ISO 9001 Quality Management System Standards
Reducing Food Waste and Advocating for Nutrition
Working closely with our vendors, we aim to reduce food waste by continuously improving our just-in-time deliveries to stores and adjusting to consumer demand. We are likewise in partnership with civil society organizations, such as the Ateneo Center for Development of the Ateneo De Manila University and World Vision, to support vulnerable groups such as mothers and children living in poverty by diverting excess food products to support food banks and feeding programs for vulnerable sectors. The donated items, which are fit for consumption but not fit for sale due to standardized retail requirements, are turned into healthy meals to aid in the nutritional requirements of communities, particularly school-age children.
Since 2018, we have been working with relief organization Feeding Metro Manila in our efforts to reduce food waste from our supermarkets. In line with our Supermarket Group’s values of promoting health, wellness, and sustainability, excess produce and stocks from our stores are prepared and cooked into healthy meals for beneficiaries in communities with the ABS CBN Foundation providing logistical support. This collaborative effort aims to help provide greater access to nutrition in impoverished areas, especially for children.
In celebration of World Food Day, The Marketplace also partnered up with Thrive Foundation and Woolworths Group to deliver 400 healthy packed meals for schoolchildren from City Gates Academy in Antipolo City, Rizal, on October 16, 2021.
We value collaborations for health and nutrition as these are very much aligned with our supermarkets’ values. Thrive Foundation is an international NGO with the goal of fighting the hunger in developing nations through joint initiatives with various brands, corporations, and individuals. We are also pleased to work with Australia’s leading food retailer Woolworths for this project.
Contributions
to SDGs
Our contributions to
Sustainable Development Goals
Robinsons Retail actively takes into account the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as a framework in its operations and targetive initiatives on Sustainability.
