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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider Ayala to open first two Spinneys stores in Manila this year

Ayala to open first two Spinneys stores in Manila this year

Published Jan 30, 2026 02:10 pm
Mariana Zobel de Ayala
Mariana Zobel de Ayala
ACX Holdings Corp., the retail arm of Ayala Corp., plans to open its first two Spinneys supermarkets in the fourth quarter of 2026, marking the United Arab Emirates-based chain’s first expansion outside the Gulf region.
The initial branches will be located at Ayala Malls U.P. Town Center in Quezon City and San Antonio Plaza Arcade in Makati. These openings are part of a broader strategic rollout that aims to establish 12 stores in Metro Manila over the next four years.
The expansion follows a joint venture agreement signed in September 2025, in which Ayala holds a 60 percent stake and Spinneys owns the remaining 40 percent.
By introducing the Dubai-based brand, the conglomerate is positioning its mall developments to offer a highly differentiated grocery experience that emphasizes global sourcing and artisanal products.
Mariana Zobel de Ayala, managing director of Ayala Corp. and head of leasing and hospitality at Ayala Land Inc., described the brand as a significant addition to the local market.
She noted that premium retail is increasingly defined by curation and service rather than mere inventory.
The entry of Spinneys is intended to provide a new dimension to local grocery shopping, reflecting the sophisticated preferences of Filipino consumers who are increasingly exposed to international retail standards through travel.
The partnership also leverages a long-standing demographic link between the two regions. Spinneys currently employs more than 1,300 Filipinos across its operations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Executives noted that the venture creates a pathway for these overseas workers to return to the Philippines and apply their expertise within the local industry.
Ayala Malls Chief Operating Officer Paul Birkett, who previously worked in Dubai, said the goal is to bring a “best-in-class” model to the Philippines. The stores will feature contemporary layouts and a service model designed to be seamless and engaging, blending imported goods with private-label products tailored to local tastes.
Beyond groceries, the stores will offer discovery-led experiences, including in-store education on nutrition and cooking. This lifestyle-oriented approach is part of Ayala’s wider strategy to refresh its retail portfolio, which recently included partnerships with Thailand’s CP Axtra for Makro and Australia’s Anko. (James A. Loyola)

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Ayala Corporation ACX Holdings Corporation Spinneys Mariana Zobel de Ayala Paul Birkett
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