SM Prime Holdings Inc. will inaugurate SM City Laoag on May 30, marking its 88th shopping mall in the Philippines and its first in Ilocos Norte. The new mall underscores the company’s strategy to deepen its presence in emerging regional growth centers.
Located along Airport Road near the Laoag International Airport, SM City Laoag features over 51,000 square meters of gross leasable area and opens with 90 percent of space already leased, reflecting strong tenant demand. The three-level complex is expected to generate around 4,000 jobs in the region.
“This launch reinforces our commitment to bring modern, accessible and community-oriented retail experiences to underserved but fast-growing areas,” said SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim, noting that the company is “excited to support the region’s economic momentum.”
The mall’s opening aligns with Ilocos Norte’s 8.6 percent GDP growth in 2024—the fastest among Region I provinces—driven by robust performance in services, accommodation, and transportation sectors.
SM City Laoag houses a broad tenant mix, including SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, BDO, Ace Hardware, and Pet Express, alongside global and local brands such as Adidas, Levi’s, TGI Fridays, and Vikings. The complex also features “Dap-ayan,” a central open-air park designed as a community gathering space.
In addition to retail expansion, SM Prime is exploring a complementary hotel project in Laoag to leverage growing tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) opportunities, indicating broader commercial ambitions in Northern Luzon.
