Ayala Corp. is setting its sights on expanding into the retail sector, identifying it as a key growth opportunity missing from its current portfolio, which spans banking, fintech, telecom, and automotive.
In a recent briefing, president and CEO Cezar P. Consing acknowledged Ayala’s lack of direct exposure to retail despite having businesses that already interact with consumers, such as Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Globe Telecom, and AC Health.
“Retail is clearly out,” Consing said, referring to its current absence in Ayala’s portfolio. He pointed to the company’s test launch of Australian home goods brand Anko at an Ayala Mall in Makati as a promising start, saying early results “look quite exciting.”
With plans to open four more Anko stores this year—all located in Ayala malls—the conglomerate sees potential to scale the concept using existing group assets. “We have the good fortune of having Ayala Malls, GCash, BPI. All of them can help an anchor group,” Consing said.
Ayala does not plan to take an equity stake in Anko, which is part of Australia’s Wesfarmers-owned Kmart Group, but will support the brand as a landlord.
Mark Robert H. Uy, head of Ayala’s corporate strategy group, said the company brought in Anko after identifying it as a “game-changing” concept in Australia. “We’re offering products at a price point close to Shopee or Lazada, but with significantly better quality,” he noted.
Uy added that Ayala is eyeing other consumer categories where it can deliver value and variety, complementing its existing interests in housing and mobility.
