Five companies from the SM Group were recognized by Statista, a Germany-based data and business intelligence portal and a local broadsheet for having the Best Customer Service in the Philippines.

This year marks SM's 65th anniversary in business and it is reflective on the many life lessons of the late tycoon Henry Sy Sr. 

One insight highlights SM's distinct culture of customer service, according to 'Tatang':  "It's important that I never lose touch with the pulse of my shoppers."

 "Our communities are at the heart of everything that we do here at SM," Frederic C. DyBuncio, SM Investments president and chief executive officer, said. "It's not about making quick transactions, rather it's a commitment to creating equal opportunities for all our customers."

First in their fields

Five SM companies were ranked first in their respective categories.

In the Home Goods category, the SM Store secured the top position in the department store rankings, while SM Retail affiliate Toy Kingdom placed first in the Toys category.

BDO Unibank Inc., SM Markets and SM Cinema clinched the top spots in the categories of Insurance, Supermarkets and Movie Theaters, respectively.

As the most-awarded company in the inaugural list, SM's core business of retail pays homage to Sy or "Tatang" as those close to him fondly call him, remembering his "win-win" philosophy.

In a past interview with Australian author Peter Church, Sy remarked on the importance of the common good in whatever one does.

"I believe the SM Store and SM Supermalls will succeed if the quality and prices are right for the consumers and the conditions are similarly fair for the employees," he said.

Sy's life lessons still echo across the SM Group. From holding company SM Investments Corporation to all of its core businesses in retail, banking, and property, these lessons are still passed along from one generation to the next.