Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI), the publicly listed retailer of the Gaisano Group, sees strong growth opportunities in the Visayas as it expands through strategic partnerships with local and provincial governments. 

New developments in Leyte-Samar and Negros Occidental aim to enhance retail access while supporting economic and community development.

“We are excited to bring modern retail services to communities that have long been underserved,” MRSGI president and chief operating officer Manuel Alberto said in a stock exchange report on Thursday. 

“As the economies of regions like Negros Occidental and Eastern Samar continue to grow — bolstered by impressive GDP expansions and strong performance in key sectors like retail, construction, and tourism—MRSGI is capitalizing on these opportunities,” he added. 

In Samar, MRSGI has partnered with the provincial government for a joint venture in Catbalogan, which includes a two-story retail building housing a supermarket and department store. 

A planned expansion will transform the facility into a mall. The project also features a convention center, government offices, and a transport terminal, which have been turned over to the local government. A hotel development is also in the pipeline to boost tourism and economic activity.

MRSGI is also working with the Hinigaran local government in Negros Occidental for a public-private partnership to build a 6,000-square-meter retail complex on a former public market. 

The three-level facility will offer home improvement products, a supermarket, a lifestyle section, and retail spaces for local businesses. With a population nearing 100,000, Hinigaran residents will have better access to retail options without needing to travel to Bacolod. The project will also be integrated with the nearby Ceres Bus Terminal to improve accessibility.

According to MRSGI, the planned developments hinge on the strong economic growth in the region, with Eastern Samar posting an 8.1 percent growth in 2023 and Negros Occidental recording a 6.9 percent increase. 

MRSGI operates 70 branches across Luzon and the Visayas under Metro Supermarket, Metro Department Store, Super Metro Hypermarket, Metro Value Mart, and Metro Home and Lifestyle.