Makro to return to PH after nearly 20 years, with 4 Ayala estate locations

Makro, the European wholesale retailer, is set to make a long-awaited return to the Philippines after nearly two decades, marking a major shift in the country’s retail landscape. The company will launch four new stores across Ayala Corporation’s properties in the Greater Manila Area, with openings planned between late 2026 and early 2027. This revival comes through a strategic partnership with CP Axtra, a Thai-listed company that currently operates Makro in Thailand under the Siam Makro brand. The new Makro stores will be located in Cloverleaf in Quezon City, Broadfield in Biñan, Laguna, Arca South in Taguig City, and Evo City in Kawit, Cavite. These locations are part of Ayala Land’s extensive portfolio of commercial and residential developments, each chosen for its accessibility and potential customer base. The Cloverleaf site, situated at the intersection of EDSA and the North Luzon Expressway, serves as a key transportation hub connecting Northern Metro Manila to other regions. Arca South, a 74-hectare mixed-use estate, is designed as a commercial and transport gateway to southern Metro Manila, offering a prime location for the new Makro outlet. Meanwhile, Broadfield in Biñan represents Ayala Land’s first business campus in Laguna, focusing on manufacturing, logistics, and business services. Evo City in Kawit is positioned within a rapidly growing urban corridor on Luzon, further expanding Makro’s reach into areas experiencing high population and economic activity. The return of Makro to the Philippines follows a complex history of ownership changes. The brand originally entered the country in March 1996 through a joint venture involving Dutch firm SHV, Ayala Corporation, and the SM Group. During this period, Makro operated several stores across the nation, becoming a recognizable name among Filipino consumers. However, Ayala sold its stake in 2004, and by 2009, SM Group had taken over the remaining operations, eventually converting the Makro stores into SM Hypermarkets. This transition marked the end of Makro’s direct presence in the Philippines until now. The current revival is driven by a collaboration between CP Axtra, which manages Makro’s operations in Thailand, and Ayala Corporation. CP Axtra, known for running both Makro and the popular Thai grocery chain Lotus’s, brings considerable expertise in operating large-scale retail formats. The partnership aims to leverage Ayala’s real estate assets and distribution networks to establish a robust presence in the Philippine market. According to officials from ACX Holdings, the parent company of Makro Philippines, the initial stores, likely Cloverleaf and Arca South, are expected to open first, followed by the others in subsequent quarters. Makro originated in the Netherlands in 1968 when SHV opened the first cash-and-carry store in Amsterdam. While the brand gained international recognition, its popularity in Asia grew significantly through its Thai operation, Siam Makro, which began in 1988. The first Siam Makro store opened in Ladprao, Bangkok, in 1989, and the company later expanded to Rangsit, near Bangkok, in 1994. Today, Siam Makro continues to thrive under CP Axtra’s management, offering a wide range of fresh and dry goods, along with imported products. With the announcement of its return, Makro is poised to re-enter the Philippine retail scene with a modernized approach, leveraging its global experience and Ayala’s local infrastructure to meet evolving consumer demands. The timing of the relaunch aligns with ongoing trends in retail innovation and the increasing demand for bulk purchasing options in the region. As preparations for the new stores progress, attention will focus on how Makro adapts its offerings to suit local tastes while maintaining its core identity as a wholesale retailer.