Strong Performance, Stronger Trust: SM Supermalls Evolves for the Next Generation of Customers

MANILA, Philippines, September 1, 2026 — SM Supermalls delivered record revenues in the first half the year, expanding 8% to P41.8 billion from P38.6 billion. Its exceptional performance was driven by higher leasable space and tenant sign-ups, along with steady foot traffic. 

Total gross leasable area grew 3 percent to 5.1 million square meters from 5.0 million square meters, while the number of tenants rose 4 percent to 23,174 from 22,192. Average daily foot traffic was steady at 3.7 million.  

“Our growth reflects the enduring trust of our tenants and shoppers. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, they continue to find value in the variety of our offerings and the strong sense of community in our malls,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. “This gives us confidence to keep investing in spaces and experiences that respond to their changing needs.”

SM’s Transformation Journey

Noting market demand for diverse and unique experiences beyond retail, SM enhanced its spaces with refreshed sports, leisure, and entertainment offerings. The mall operator sustained foot traffic through the addition of 41 Pickleball courts in its first-half inventory, bringing up the number of its courts to 102 courts across 32 properties nationwide.

On June 12, 2026, SM Supermalls also co-hosted the Galaxy Manila Marathon, the first-ever full marathon to take over EDSA, drawing over 25,000 runners across multiple categories.

On top of these, SM also emphasized its corporate purpose of driving value to its surrounding communities through sustainable facilities developed in its malls. From 100 Megawatt peak (MWp) solar power generated through its mall rooftop solar PV system, SM has increased its capacity to 122 MWp with further plans on expansion until the end of the year. SM also recently reached 100% coverage for free EV Charging Stations across all 90 of its malls at 203 EV charging stations.

Because of its sustained innovation and pioneering customer-centric vision, SM Supermalls was heralded as the Philippines’ Strongest Brand for the second year in a row by leading global brand valuation consultancy firm Brand Finance. Fueled by its strong customer, community, and advocacy initiatives, SM Supermalls scored a 95.3 out of 100 on the Brand Strength Index, surpassing its 2025 performance to retain its AAA+ rating in the Philippines 50 2026 report.

The next chapter of My SM

With these milestones, SM aims to sustain its customer-defined transformation through My SM—its five-year platform for evolving SM malls around the changing needs, lifestyles and aspirations of Filipino communities.

“Our growth plan for the rest of 2026 and beyond is to continue evolving for our customers. SM will keep building business momentum through the introduction of exciting new brands, cinema and entertainment acts, as well as leisure offerings that will sustain market interest. With the upcoming opening of our 91st mall, SM Nuvali, we are expanding our business footprint in the emerging growth corridor of South Luzon and Calabarzon with an innovative upscale mall concept never experienced in the Philippine market before,” said Tan.

2GO Strengthens Connections to Support Mindanao’s Next Chapter of Growth

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines, 12 August 2026 — 2GO, the Philippines’ largest and most integrated end-to-end transportation and logistics solutions provider, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Mindanao’s economic growth by strengthening connectivity by helping businesses access markets and travelers reach their destinations across the country.

Speaking at the 35th Mindanao Business Conference on August 12, 2GO Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer William Howell highlighted connectivity as a critical enabler of a more future-proof and inclusive Mindanao economy. The conference, held in Cagayan de Oro City from August 11 to 13, carries the theme “Accelerating Inclusive Growth through Innovation and Sustainability: Bridging the Gap, Scaling the Future.”

“When we talk about the future of the Philippine economy, Mindanao is not a peripheral story,” Howell said, noting the region’s vital role in agriculture and fisheries, energy, manufacturing, mining, exports, and tourism. Howell emphasized that the region’s economic potential can be further unlocked by strengthening the connections that allow goods, people, and opportunities to move efficiently across markets.

Connecting Mindanao’s industries to wider markets, Howell outlined four strategic pillars underpinning Mindanao’s economic advantage: industry, growth engines, connectivity, and tourism. While the region continues to produce globally competitive agricultural and manufactured products and attract investments across industries, he emphasized that connectivity ties these growth drivers together by linking farmers to markets, manufacturers to customers, exporters to gateways, and communities to new economic opportunities.

“Connectivity is not merely about moving goods and passengers. It is about enabling commerce, expanding access, attracting investments, and strengthening communities,” Howell said.

As Mindanao’s industries expand, 2GO is supporting businesses through an integrated network of freight, logistics, and travel solutions. The company’s Forwarding network includes 93 distribution hubs and warehouses nationwide, with 18 located in Mindanao. In the region, 2GO Forwarding handles approximately 1.5 million packages, or 150,000 transactions, annually.

Through 2GO Sea Solutions, the company connects Mindanao to key commercial hubs across the Philippines. 2GO serves ports located in Cagayan de Oro, Ozamiz, Butuan, Dipolog, Davao, General Santos, and Zamboanga, as part of its 20-port network nationally, while transporting 2.5 million metric tons of cargo to, from, and within Mindanao in 2025.

Beyond regular sea freight, 2GO provides specialized logistics solutions designed to address the evolving requirements of Mindanao’s industries, including project logistics for large-scale developments, cold chain for agricultural and food products, e-commerce logistics, and cross-docking solutions that support faster movement of goods.

Connectivity also extends beyond the movement of cargo. Through 2GO Travel, the company supports the mobility of entrepreneurs, workers, tourists, and communities, helping connect Mindanao with key destinations across Luzon and the Visayas.

2GO Travel currently operates 36 active passenger routes nationwide, including 18 with a Mindanao connection. The network supports 37 weekly voyages connecting Mindanao to Luzon and the Visayas, strengthening access to markets, employment, tourism, and other economic opportunities.

These integrated services reinforce 2GO’s role beyond that of a transportation provider. By combining sea freight, forwarding, specialized logistics, and passenger travel, the company helps businesses move products from production sites to markets while connecting people and communities across the archipelago.

The company’s participation in the 35th Mindanao Business Conference builds on its continued engagement with government, chambers, and business stakeholders in the region. Earlier this year, 2GO, the Mindanao Development Authority, and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. convened regional industry leaders to discuss logistics challenges and opportunities for strengthening supply chain connectivity across Mindanao.

The conference program likewise placed connectivity at the center of discussions on Mindanao’s economic future, with sessions covering the region’s economic strategic foresight, connectivity and resilience, smart industrial development, energy transition, digital infrastructure, trade, climate-smart business, tourism, and MSME financing.

Through its integrated network of sea freight, forwarding, and passenger travel, 2GO continues to support the next chapter of Mindanao’s growth by connecting people, markets, and opportunities across the Philippines.

For more information about 2GO’s end-to-end logistics and transportation solutions, visit www.2GO.com.ph.

Universal Accessibility by Design and Practice Earns SM Group 23 Industry Distinctions

The SM Group reinforces its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity through the experiences cultivated in its spaces with the help of its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, SM Cares. Because of this pursuit, its properties were recently recognized by the Philippine Foundation For the Rehabilitation of the Disabled Inc. (PFRD) and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) for exemplary support for accessibility and upholding the dignity of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

With inclusivity and access as a key pillar in SM’s corporate purpose, inclusive spaces and facilities enhance the SM Group’s portfolio of malls, offices, and retail spaces. It is this universal implementation of accessible environments, and commitment to advance disability inclusion that bagged SM Group industry distinctions from The Philippine Foundation For the Rehabilitation of the Disabled Inc. (PFRD) and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).

Through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, SM Cares, disability-friendly facilities are overseen and supported nationwide with manpower training in line with industry standards to effectively accommodate Persons With Disabilities.

“Every single person entering and engaging in the spaces built by SM deserves to feel welcomed and accommodated,” said Engr. Junias M. Eusebio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Operations and Program Director for Disability Affairs, SM Cares. “Our benchmark for true inclusivity expressed well is when every guest, visitor, and mallgoer can freely move around our spaces while still receiving the support they need when challenges arise.”

SM and SM Cares: Serving to supplement accessibility gaps

For SM Cares, accessibility is a priority—a crucial component of property planning for mobility and manpower training, ultimately contributing to community service. 

The results of this enduring commitment over the years were recognized at the 2026 Apolinario Mabini Awards, where SM’s mall, retail, and office properties received multiple citations for advancing accessibility and creating more inclusive environments for Persons With Disabilities.

Presented by the PFRD, the Apolinario Mabini Awards recognize organizations and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to the welfare and inclusion of Persons With Disabilities. 

SM’s largest network of real estate for retail, SM Supermalls, bagged 12 citations with SM Store, SM Commercial Properties Group, and SM Supermarket, taking home ten awards for the Disability Friendly Establishment category.

Among the recipients are SM City Roxas with silver and SM Center Angono, SM City Bacolod North Block Extension, SM City East Ortigas, SM City Sto. Tomas, SM Store J Mall, SM Store Puerto Princesa, E-Com Three, and E-Com Five with bronze. Special awards were also presented to several SM malls, SM Stores, and Savemore branches for initiatives ranging from substantial compliance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 to improvements that addressed accessibility gaps and expanded access for customers.

Additionally, SM Cares was recognized by the National Council for Disability Affairs (NCDA) for its sustained leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing disability inclusion in the Philippines through its Advocate for Equity Award.

The distinction highlights how SM Cares has consistently demonstrated exemplary support in creating accessible and inclusive spaces which enable meaningful participation of Persons With Disabilities in community life. SM Cares was further noted as an instrumental force in promoting awareness, accessibility and equal opportunities for the sector, generously opening mall spaces nationwide as venues for various disability-related events, fostering visibility, and engagement.

"Inclusion is intentional at SM because of our purpose on sharing social equity and our drive of becoming a truly inclusive Mall for All. It is woven into how we train our people, create our programs, and design our spaces. We believe accessibility is about making every person feel welcome, respected, and able to fully participate in the experiences we create every day," said Eusebio. 

Jobs on the Rise: New Urban Developments Are Driving Employment Growth

Cities worldwide, while diverse in demographics and culture, share a common pursuit of progress through new urban developments. These projects not only enhance convenience amid urban congestion but also stimulate local economies and communities through various socio-economic activities like job creation.

Whether in the form of public transportation, cutting-edge business districts, or towering residential communities, a single new development requires a whole host of jobs from pre-construction, to construction, and completion. These range from real estate developers and planners to construction workers and suppliers – all requiring extensive collaboration for successful project development.

Hudson Yards: Direct and indirect employment opportunities

Photo credit to Following NYC. Featuring ‘Vessel’, a honeycomb-like structure and visitor attraction in the Hudson Yards Development in Manhattan, New York City. 

The cycle of job creation doesn’t stop after completion. A new development also drives indirect employment opportunities generated from industries attracted or related to the development. 

Such is the case for Hudson Yards, New York City’s 28-acre mixed-use development and considerably the United States’ biggest megadevelopment in history. It had created thousands of construction jobs that resulted in transforming Manhattan’s iconic skyline and becoming home to diverse shops, offices, cultural institutions, and hotels and residences. Ongoing operations and management of these facilities are expected to contribute to its large-scale economy, such as hosting over 55,752 workers daily and about $19 billion annually to the city’s GDP.

Dubai and Songdo IBD: Creating economic opportunities afresh

Meanwhile, cities like Dubai and Songdo International Business District (IBD) generate jobs by creating economic opportunities from the ground up. They used land reclamation as an urban development strategy to address land scarcity and high population density challenges.

Photo credit to Kadir Avşar. A closer aerial view of the Palm Islands. 

Dubai's ambitious projects, including the Palm Islands, the World Islands, and Burj Al Arab, have turned it into an ultramodern metropolis for commerce and tourism. In 2023, it drew over 30,000 new businesses, driving demand for talent in finance, legal, and digital technology sectors.

The Songdo IBD is an ongoing smart city built on reclaimed land in Incheon, South Korea. It’s designed to be an international business and residential hub with sustainable features. As of 2020, the 1,500-acre development hosts about 30,000 residents, 33,000 jobs, and 70% fewer emissions than any other development.

SM’s Integrated City Developments: Empowering local communities and residents

SM Prime contributed photo. An aerial view of SM Mall of Asia (MOA) featuring its iconic Globamaze and thriving network of retail, business, residential, and hotel developments. 

The SM Group, a leading conglomerate in the Philippines, has an ecosystem of interests spanning retail, banking, property, and mall developments across the country, making it the largest employer with over 140,000 employees.

For every SM mall development by SM Prime Holdings, the integrated property developer of the Group, the local economy is invigorated because of the opportunities created by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that comprise about 68% of its mall tenants. For instance, SM City Bataan, SM Supermalls’ 83rd mall, employs about 96% of its mall administration staff who are residents called Bataeños, including two in leadership roles. It also proudly showcases local industries by partnering with homegrown businesses like family-owned brands and locally managed franchises. 

Job security, stable income, and tax revenues contribute to the local workforce’s quality of life; and SM Prime ensures to manifest these waves of progress in its developments, especially in its future plans for smart cities in the Philippines to be spearheaded by its ongoing 360-hectare development in Pasay City.

New urban developments are catalysts for growth, innovation, and avenues for increased prosperity, shaping local economies through job creation and improved lives. The success of these city centers requires a network of opportunities – from its pre-construction supply chain to empowering businesses for individuals to thrive and contribute to the communities.