AYALA Corp. said on Friday that it planned to open two Spinneys outlets in Metro Manila in the fourth quarter (Q4) out of the 12 stores planned for launch across the country over the next four years in partnership with the Dubai-based premium grocery chain.
Ayala’s retail arm, ACX Holdings Corp., and the Dubai grocery chain entered into a joint venture last September, with ACX holding 60 percent and Spinneys the balance.
Ayala said the first two Spinneys outlets were scheduled to open at Ayala Malls UP Town Center in Quezon City and San Antonio Plaza Arcade in Makati City. “These stores will serve as key anchors for Ayala Malls, offering differentiated, premium grocery retail that complements the broader mall experience,” the company said. Mariana Zobel de Ayala, managing director of Ayala Corp., said Spinneys’ entry would add a new dimension to the local grocery sector. “Premium grocery retail today is about more than what’s on the shelves — it’s about curation, service and the joy of discovery,” she said, noting that the brand would expand the range of choices available to Filipino consumers. Ayala said the entry of Spinneys reflected the changing behavior of Filipino consumers, shown in the rising demand for high-quality, curated retail experiences similar to those found overseas. Ayala Malls Chief Operating Officer Paul Birkett said Spinneys was the benchmark for premium grocery retail in the Middle East. Spinneys is known across the Gulf Cooperation Council for its imported goods, private label products and modern store formats. The brand’s Philippine stores are expected to feature curated assortments, fresh and specialty selections, and service models designed to deliver a lifestyle-oriented shopping experience. The partnership also builds on Spinneys’ existing ties to the Philippines, with more than 1,300 Filipinos currently part of its workforce in the Middle East. Ayala Corp. shares on Friday fell P20.00, or 3.80 percent, to close at P506.00 each.
