Homegrown Cebuano retail chain Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI) ushers in its 35th anniversary with a renewed commitment to its roots, flourishing in the highly competitive retail industry by being relevant to the communities it serves, and committing itself to operational excellence and technological investments.

Originating from a humble department store and supermarket established by Victor Gaisano and his wife Sally in Colon, Cebu City, MRSGI established its foothold in the Visayas region, before steadily expanding its presence to Central Luzon, the National Capital Region, and the Southern Luzon regions.

Metro, which now operates 52 stores, has been cited by consumer lifestyle research firm Euromonitor in its 2014 report as the country’s fourth largest multi-format retail operator in terms of retail sales value, and the largest operator in Visayas.

MRSGI serves its customers through three different platforms. Metro Department Store offers affordable and up-to-date general merchandise ranging from basic and fashion apparel, to home items and other goods. Metro Supermarket offers the freshest produce, groceries and health and beauty products, among others. The third store format, Super Metro Hypermarket, combines the best of both the department store and supermarket.

“We are proud of our brand authenticity, defined by our heritage and history,” said MRSGI Chairman and CEO Frank Gaisano. “Even as we position ourselves as a retail value innovator, we remain committed to our value propositions that are timeless and well-grounded on what customers want.”

Metro Department Store was cited as the winner in the Most Outstanding Full Line Department Store category during the recent 20th Outstanding Filipino Retailers & Shopping Centers of the Year awards night organized by the Philippine Retailers Association.

Meanwhile, Metro Supermarket in Alabang, Muntinlupa City is the first supermarket to receive the distinction of recertification for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards by the Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) Philippines. This is a distinction for international standards on food safety and quality management practices.

The company has also embarked on an extensive logistics and supply chain modernization program marked by investments in warehouse management systems, transportation, and process improvements, all designed to ensure overall efficiency in the movement of merchandise and the management of inventory.

Equally committed to give back to the communities where it operates, the company has partnered with some of the country’s notable social foundations, which include Caritas Manila, Habitat for Humanity, GreenEarth Heritage Foundation and Anihan Livelihood of Unilab Foundation, among others, to support their CSR programs.