Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) has expanded its footprint in Eastern Visayas with the opening of Metro Naval in Biliran, reinforcing its strategy of tapping growth opportunities in underserved provincial markets amid intensifying competition in the retail sector.
The new full-format retail hub, located in the municipality of Naval, combines a supermarket, department store, and home lifestyle center under one roof, providing residents with wider access to groceries, apparel, household essentials, and lifestyle products without having to travel to larger neighboring cities.
The opening marks Metro Retail’s 83rd store nationwide, 65th location, and 12th branch in Eastern Visayas, underscoring the company’s long-term bet on regional markets as a key driver of future growth.
As consumer spending increasingly shifts beyond major urban centers, retailers have been accelerating expansion into provincial areas where rising incomes, infrastructure development, and improving connectivity are creating new demand. For Metro Retail, Biliran represents an opportunity to strengthen its presence in communities that have historically had fewer organized retail options.
“Metro Naval represents our commitment to growing alongside the communities we serve,” MRSGI president and chief operating officer Joel Orense said. “We aim to provide affordable, quality retail options while supporting regional development.”
The store opening was attended by Biliran Governor Rogelio J. Espina, Naval Mayor Gretchen Stephanie M. Espina, Vice Mayor Nick Arthur V. Parilla, and other local officials, highlighting the project’s anticipated contribution to local employment, supplier development, and economic activity.
Metro Naval brings together the company’s Metro Market, Metro Department Store, and Metro Home Lifestyle formats, creating a one-stop shopping destination for residents of Naval and nearby municipalities.
The expansion reflects Metro Retail’s broader strategy of building community-centered retail hubs in growth areas outside Metro Manila and other major cities. By strengthening its provincial network, the retailer aims to capture rising consumer demand while deepening its role in local economies.
With the Biliran opening, Metro Retail now operates 83 branches across Luzon and the Visayas, spanning supermarkets, department stores, hypermarkets, value marts, and home improvement formats.
