SM Hypermarket opened a third branch in Cebu at the commercial complex of the Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ) II to cater to the diverse mix of people in Lapu-Lapu City.
This will be Cebu’s first SM Hypermarket with a provision for 33 retail spaces that can accommodate dining facilities, clothing and other dry goods shops, and services outlets, said company vice president Arnold Paul D. Daluz.
He added that the whole complex in Pueblo Verde in Barangay Basak covers 7,000 square meters of space and about 3,000 square meters make up the hypermarket.
The SM Hypermarket Lapu-Lapu City branch is in the ground floor of the two-storey building, while most of the retail facilities will be in the second level.
Joy Veloso, SM Supermalls vice president for Visayas operations, said they will open the second floor outlets on March 20, 2015.
Store hours
The hypermarket makes it convenient for MEZ workers, Mactan residents, and travellers flying in or leaving Cebu from the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) by opening at 6 a.m.
Its product offerings include groceries, household items, appliances, clothes, toys, and furniture. Within the hypermarket are stalls providing drinks, full meals, and snack items. SM Hypermarket counts among its tenants food outlets like Leylam Shawarma, Master Siomai, Pritong Manok, Thirsty? Juices and Shakes, Masitta Food Shop, and Julie’s Bakeshop.
SM Hypermarket Lapu-Lapu also incorporates bills payment, foreign exchange, and Western Union money transfer services to answer monthly, weekly, and routine transactions.
“There is about a million daytime population in Mactan and SM Hypermarket Lapu-Lapu caters to their needs. We decided to build a hypermarket in Lapu-Lapu as it is a booming city,” Daluz explained during the opening of the facility on February 26, 2015.
He added that they started construction of the building two years ago, but it was finished only recently because of some challenges. Daluz said part of the building was built over the lagoon at MEZ II and this offered construction difficulties.
Asked about SM Hypermarket’s expansion plans, Daluz said the company is looking at areas north and south of Cebu City.
Retail outlets
According to Veloso, the SM Hypermarket Lapu-Lapu is the first in Cebu with a second floor for retail facilities.
The retail spaces, which will be managed by SM Supermalls, measure from 80 to 500 square meters, she added.
Nine of the facilities are on the ground floor while 24 will be on the second level, which will host computer, accessories, clothing, food, services, and other retail segments, she further said.
Daluz added that the hypermarket will employ around 2,000 employees and that another 1,000 will be added when the second floor opens later this month.
