With a wide variety of home, work, and self-care essentials, this international brand from Down Under is continuing its expansion, one Ayala Mall at a time.

Australia-based Anko recently opened its second retail store at Ayala Alabang Town Center (ATC) in Muntinlupa City, just days before Mother’s Day. While the launch highlights holiday-themed products, Anko emphasized that this opening marks more than just another store.

In an interview with Rachel Turner, country manager of Anko Philippines, she shared the brand’s strategy for entering the Philippine market, positioning itself alongside international competitors like Sweden’s IKEA and Japan’s Nitori and MUJI. Anko’s edge? Its focus on export-quality craftsmanship embedded in every product without breaking the bank.

“Our products are designed in Melbourne. We start by looking at international and global trends, and then we’re reflecting on how our customers can really bring that into their light. What purpose [or] functionality, right? We are committed to [bringing] everyday quality products to our customers at affordable prices,” she told reporters.

Despite being sourced in Australia, Anko’s offerings start below the ₱100 price range, attracting consumers to purchase more from their store.

The brand debut last November 2024 through its first branch located in Glorietta 2, Makati City, with its next expansion happening in July. The retail firm’s position in Ayala-led retail stores are under a joint venture deal with Ayala Malls.

“Our next location is in TriNoma [in Quezon City], we’re incredibly excited about that,” she added.

During the opening ceremony, Turner believed that the new branch would not only expand their customer reach, but also contribute to the job economy.

“Not only do we bring Anko closer to more families, but the opening of this store will bring in new jobs to the area… Our focus on making everyday living brighter means we're committed to helping our shoppers make their hard-earned money go further. For every peso we save our customers, it's an extra peso they can use toward bills and other payments,” she stated.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, Anko’s country manager shared that they’ve prepared a curated selection of gift items, along with exclusive offerings through their membership club.

“One of the benefits of being an Anko member is that you get an exclusive Mother’s Day gift packaging,” she said.

Its new loyalty program, the Anko Club, offers customers exclusive events, product launches, among others. 

“We’ve learned so much from our first store in Glorietta 2, and we promise to keep listening to our customers and understanding what they truly value. The Anko Club app will help us better connect with our customers and meet their needs. We’re creating a space–online and in-store–where people can explore, be inspired, and find their perfect match,” Turner said.

Anko is a brand under Kmart Australia Ltd., and has expanded its retail across multiple countries, including Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, South America, and the United Kingdom (UK).