By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT
Luzon-based retailer WalterMart is adding 6 stores this year to create a total network of 41 malls as the retail chain goes online on top of its physical stores.
Rosemarie D. Caalam, WalterMart Supermarket general manager, told reporters at the opening of “I Love Philippines” as its contribution to the “Go Local” program of the Department of Trade and Industry the expansion would further boost Waltermart’s presence in Luzon.
The expansion is strongly supported by the company’s move to go online retailing via its online delivery channel on top of its brick and mortar presence.
Caalam did not divulge the investment of the six new malls but this double the 3 malls the company opened last year.
She also said that there is no plan yet for the company to expand outside of Luzon stressing WalterMart will continue its thrust as a community mall that they are known for.
The “I love Philippines” is a section in WalterMart Supermarket where micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are given free space to display their products where otherwise they would be asked to pay ₱25,000 to ₱30,000 a month in rent.
WalterMart has onbarded Go Lokal-accredited suppliers in its 5 branches, 3 of which are in Metro Manila in Macapagal, North Edsa and Makati and two in Calabarzon in Tagaytay and Dasmarinas, on top of its existing suppliers of pasalubong products.