Villar’s All Value store chain sets P4.5-B expansion

MANILA, Philippines All Value Holdings Corp., led by former Sen. Manuel B. Villar Jr., is increasing its exposure in the  upbeat retail sector in the next two years.

The private retail holding firm of the Villar family will spend as much as P4.5 billion for 15 new one-stop home improvement branches nationwide while also putting up more convenience stores and department stores, its top executive said over the weekend.

“The retail sector is good because the middle class is growing. The gross domestic product also grows well so it’s a good time [to expand],” said Villar.

“I see an explosion in the retail industry and we want to be a part of it,” he said.

All Value, formerly MBV Retail Holdings Corp., committed to open four AllHome branches (Taguig, Sta. Rosa, Imus and Daang Hari) this year, four in 2015 and four to seven in 2016.

The retail firm is spending around P300 million for each AllHome store, translating to an investment ranging from P3.6 billion to P4.5 billion in the coming years.

Villar said the company has identified 25 to 30 AllHome potential sites nationwide, with the rollout depending on operations of existing stores. On Saturday, All Value opened AllHome Taguig, its fifth branch.

Given its wide network of housing projects nationwide, the company intends to open AllHome branches in key cities like Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Iloilo, Villar said.

The Villar Group of Companies, particularly through property firm Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., has been dealing with Filipino consumers for the past three decades.

Vista Land is the country’s largest and most geographically diverse builder of house and lots, so far building 250,000 homes in 33 provinces and 65 cities and municipalities nationwide.

“AllHome is a perfect fit for Vista Land. This will address the cost and strengthen the logistics of Vista Land,” Villar said, adding that AllHome would serve the needs of contractors nationwide.

AllHome is a one-stop shop for all housing needs. It caters to contractors, architects, interior designers and homeowners by offering a wide range of products and services.

For other businesses in the All Value group, Villar said convenience store chain All Day will reach 100 stores by end-2014 from 75 so far.

Villar said All Day would be a “true Filipino convenience store” catering to local taste amid the entry of foreign chains like 7-Eleven, Ministop, Lawson and FamilyMart that have partnered with local companies.

All Value is also putting up three new All Day department stores next year to add to the current five branches, Villar said.

Villar said All Value might list in the local bourse several years down the road when its operations expand.

All Value is backed by a P1 billion capital from the Villar family, with additional funds to be sourced from bank loans, its top executive said.