SM Retail, Inc. operates the Philippines’ largest chain of retail stores for local and international brands. It is a subsidiary of SM Investments Corporation which carries a diversified business portfolio covering real estate development, banking, finance and investments. SM’s deeply-rooted retail market presence in the Philippines started when its founder, Henry Sy, Sr., opened the first ShoeMart Store in 1958 in downtown Manila; offering a wide variety of shoes sourced locally and overseas. His innovative approach to customer service helped build a highly recognized brand which, in turn, enabled ShoeMart to grow and evolve into a full service department store; leading to the evolution of its name into the iconic brandname ”SM.” Today, SM Retail, Inc. is a significant player in home furnishings, fashion and food retail. It manages The SM Store (formerly known as SM Department Store, which has over 60 stores strategically located in key cities throughout the country and carries a wide range of apparel, accessories, houseware, general merchandise and lifestyle products), SM Markets and Specialty Retail businesses which include several prestigious local and global retail brands. SM Retail, Inc. has ownership over SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, Savemore, Walter Mart Supermarket and Alfamart, collectively known as SM Markets. It currently has over 830 stores in food retail. SM Retail, Inc. operates leading local and global retail chains including SM Appliance, Ace Hardware, Toy Kingdom, Baby Company, Our Home, Crate & Barrel, Forever 21, Miniso, Homeworld, Watsons, Kultura, Sports Central, Pet Express, Body Shop, Uniqlo, Bata and other specialty stores. With more than 1,300 outlets, the specialty retailing business covers food, household appliances, DIY, furniture, apparel, footwear, pharmaceuticals/cosmetics, fashion and lifestyle.