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(From left) Joel Orense, Treasurer & Chief Finance Officer; Manuel Alberto, President and Chief Operating Officer; His Excellency David Bruce Hartman, Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines; Sherisa Nuesa, Chairperson of the Board of Directors; and Margaret Gaisano Ang, Vice-Chairman of Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc., during the ceremonial launch of Explore Canadian Flavours at Metro Supermarket Market! Market!

Strengthening its commitment to providing global-quality products to Filipino consumers, Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI), in partnership with the Canadian Embassy, officially launched the second run of Explore Canadian Flavours at Metro Supermarket Market! Market! in Taguig City.

Building on the success of last year’s rollout, the promotion features over 1,000 premium Canadian food products available in select Metro Supermarkets across key cities, including Cebu, Bacolod, Pampanga, and Metro Manila. This initiative, presented in collaboration with the Provinces of British Columbia and Ontario, promotes Canadian food brands and deepens trade ties between the Philippines and Canada.

Over 1,000 premium Canadian products are featured in Metro Supermarkets nationwide as part of the Explore Canadian Flavours promotion.

Success Fuels Growth of Explore Canadian Flavours

“This is more than just a showcase of great products; it’s a celebration of the enduring friendship between our two countries,” said Manuel Alberto, President and Chief Operating Officer of MRSGI. “We’ve seen remarkable customer reception since the initial rollout last year. Canadian products have become one of the top-performing imported selections across our network, and we’re proud to support their continued growth in the Philippine market.”

MRSGI President and COO Manuel Alberto underscores the company’s commitment to global product curation and strong international partnerships at the Explore Canadian Flavours launch.

Alberto noted that beyond product diversity, the initiative reflects MRSGI’s broader strategy of collaborating with international partners to deliver carefully curated global offerings to local shoppers.

“Our work with the Canadian Embassy has been critical in ensuring the successful market entry of these brands. From merchandising to marketing, it’s a true partnership that enables us to understand what resonates with consumers,” he added. “It also connects us with the thriving Filipino-Canadian community here, a bridge between cultures that continues to grow.”

Food as a Platform for Trade and Cultural Exchange

The launch event was graced by His Excellency David Bruce Hartman, Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines, who emphasized the significance of food in strengthening diplomatic and economic relationships between nations.

“Our partnership with Metro Retail is a concrete example of how Canada and the Philippines are working together to promote trade diversification and supply chain resilience,” said Ambassador Hartman. “We are proud to bring quality Canadian products—from maple syrup and specialty coffee to juices, sauces, and snacks—closer to Filipino homes.”

His Excellency David Bruce Hartman, Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines, highlights the role of food in strengthening bilateral trade and cultural ties during the Explore Canadian Flavours launch.

Now in its second year, Explore Canadian Flavours showcases both heritage brands and new entrants to the Philippine retail scene. According to Hartman, the promotion includes products from five Canadian brands introduced in Metro stores. “This is about creating opportunities for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises while giving Filipino consumers access to trusted international products,” Hartman added.

Shoppers can enjoy Explore Canadian Flavours at seven participating Metro locations and through ShopMetro. The promotion runs for one month and features exclusive discounts, bundle deals, gifts with purchase, and raffle promotions for in-store customers.

To date, Metro Retail operates a total of 71 branches across Luzon and the Visayas under the store formats Metro Supermarket, Metro Department Store, Super Metro Hypermarket, Metro Value Mart, and Metro Home Improvement and Lifestyle. In line with its commitment to sustainable growth, MRSGI continues to aggressively expand its retail network.

MRSGI is part of the inaugural Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list of the region’s largest companies in revenue terms. This is a testament to MRSGI’s continued commitment to customer excellence, collaborative partnerships, and sustainability initiatives.