FamilyMart Kagami Biraki (1), FamilyMart Kagami Biraki (2) Garbed in Happi coats to officiate the Kagami Biraki or sake barrel breaking ceremony are Ayala Land Inc. Head of Corporate Planning Meimei Bauzon, Philippine FamilyMart CVS Inc. President Anton Huang, Cebu territorial fanchisee Family Table Inc. Vice President for Strategic Partnership and Product Development Jay Ong, and President and Managing Director Allen Arvin Tan, Japan FamilyMart Managing Director and Managing Executive Officer for the International Business Division Masaaki Kosaka and Head Consultant Mr. Hidenori Tsunematsu and Philippine FamilyMart CVS Inc. General Manager Ed Paredes.
]Japan’s FamilyMart officially marked its arrival in the Visayas last July 31 with a grand launch at the Events Area of Cebu I.T. Park in Cebu City.
The celebration kicked off with the energetic sound of the traditional taiko drum specially flown in for the occasion followed by the Kagami Biraki or sake barrel lid breaking ceremony at the FamilyMart store in eBloc 2. This 300-year old Japanese tradition, which literally means “opening the mirror,” is done to bring good fortune and luck.
Garbed in Happi coats to officiate the ceremony were guests of honor Japan FamilyMart Managing Director and Managing Executive Officer for the International Business Division Masaaki Kosaka, Japan FamilyMart Head Consultant Hidenori Tsunematsu, Ayala Land Inc. Head of Corporate Planning Meimei Bauzon, Philippines FamilyMart CVS Inc. President Anton Huang and General Manager Ed Paredes, Family Table Inc. President Allen Arvin Tan and VP for Strategic Partnership and Product Development Jay Ong.
FamilyMart CVS Inc. President Anton Huang recalled the time when Japan FamilyMart and the SSI Group Inc., jointly agreed and committed to develop the FamilyMart convenience store chain the Philippines.
“At that time, our strategy and vision was very simple. It was really anchored on three things. First, taking into account the growing middle-income market and the increasing sophistication of our core customer, we wanted to make sure that our retail format and the shopping experience that we will provide the customers will be much more upgraded. Secondly, we wanted to make ready-to-eat food in our stores a key differentiator and lastly, we wanted to expand throughout the country as rapidly as possible,” he shared.
In the Philippines, FamilyMart has over 100 stores. The first outside Luzon, FamilyMart through territorial franchisee Family Table Inc. simultaneously launched five stores in Cebu at Arc One Capitol Square in Escario, Streetscape at Maria Luisa Road, Banilad, and eBloc Towers 1, 2 and 3 in Cebu I.T. Park.
“We at FamilyMart are committed to giving the best in variety, quality, customer service and experience to our customers,” added Allen Arvin A. Tan, president of Family Table Inc.
FamilyMart also features carefully selected Japanese food items and ready-to-eat meals. A popular favorite of many is the signature Twirl All-You-Can soft serve ice cream in green tea and black sesame. Fresh Japanese selections include sushi, onigiri and ramen while the Fresh N’ Lite line promotes a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing flavor with a variety of brown rice meals, pasta and vegetables.
After Kagami Biraki, a food and music festival was held at the Events Area of Cebu I.T. Park where hundreds converged to explore FamilyMart’s ready-to-eat meals and snacks at the food booths, won exciting prizes, and enjoyed a dance showdown featuring Cebu’s local dance groups. Live performances by Yolanda Moon and Up Dharma Down highlighted the event.
FamilyMart is a Japanese-owned convenience store chain and one of the largest in the world with over 16,000 branches in eight (8) countries including the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and the US. The name “FamilyMart” signifies the familial relationship that values support and growth among its customers, employees and stakeholders. Having pioneered the ‘convenience industry’, FamilyMart is committed to offering quality service and merchandise in accordance with its focus on a fresh and fun experience for its customers.
In the Philippines, FamilyMart is operated by Philippine FamilyMart CVS, Inc. – a joint venture between leading specialty store retailer SSI Group Inc., property titan Ayala Land Inc., Japan FamilyMart and one of Japan’s largest conglomerates Itochu Corporation. Be part of the family at www.fb.com/familymartph and @FamilyMartPH on Instagram and Twitter and share your FamilyMart experience using #familymartcebu. For more information, visit www.familymart.com.ph.
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