In 1982, Victor Gaisano and his wife, Sally, built the first Gaisano Metro Department Store and Supermarket in Colon, Cebu City. They started the business from very humble beginnings with their children, Margaret, Jack, Edward, and Frank.

Eventually, Gaisano Metro was renamed Metro Gaisano, and through the years, evolved into what is now known as Metro Department Store and Supermarket. Metro remains one of the country’s leading homegrown retail brands, proudly rooted in Cebu. Much more than the capital that started the business, the core values set forth by its patriarch serve as the foundation of the business, which has advanced from a start-up to the present professional organization.

Consequently, an aggressive expansion brought Metro to major cities outside Cebu and the Visayas region. Metro established its presence in Central Luzon, the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and the Bicol region. In November 2015, Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. became a publicly listed company on the Philippine Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone in its continued growth and evolution as a leading homegrown retailer.

Today, Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. has transformed itself into a company encompassing multiple store formats: Metro Department Store, Metro Supermarket, Super Metro Hypermarket, Metro Value Mart, and has grown into a company with 81 stores as of end-2025.

It has been an eventful 43 years of operations from the time Metro started as Gaisano Metro, to Metro Gaisano, and to the present Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. Throughout the years, the Company has continued to evolve alongside the communities it serves while remaining grounded in the values that shaped its beginnings.

The entrepreneurial vision, discipline, and customer-first mindset established by founders Victor and Sally Gaisano continue to guide the organization today. These values have been carried forward by the succeeding generations of the Gaisano family, whose leadership continues to build on the strong foundation laid by their parents.

As MRSGI continues to grow across regions and store formats, it remains committed to the same principles that defined its earliest years: hard work, trust, service, and long-term stewardship. From a single store in Colon, Cebu City to a multi-format retail network serving communities nationwide, Metro Retail’s journey reflects both its enduring heritage and its continued aspiration to grow with purpose for generations to come.