Since Landmark landed in Makati 31 years ago, it has been the top-of-mind supermarket for its complete selections, great brands and lower price tags on most merchandise. Now, by opening a store within Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna, the supermarket is expected to drive more weekend shopping among the laidback southerners who usually prefer to stay at home.
In between the successful opening of Landmark Alabang and the ongoing construction of the fifth branch in Entertainment City in Pasay, the brand recently opened its fourth store — at the Building A of Ayala Malls Solenad 3 in Nuvali.
Landmark founder and COO Teddy Keng welcomed friends, suppliers and buena mano shoppers as the store officially opened to the public, offering big promos and “buy-one-take-one” deals on some household staples.
Although smaller in size, the supermarket showcases the same award-winning design by Hugh A. Boyd Architects, which earned Landmark TriNoma and Alabang international plums in interior design.
Hugh Boyd is a New Jersey-based urban planner and designer specializing in the design and development of public projects. This made him famous in retail design and in the development of public markets across the US.
Landmark Supermarket was awarded 2018 Best of the Year Winner for Large Retail Project by the Interior Design magazine. In 2008, it won Store of the Year in the supermarket/grocery category by the A.R.E. Design Awards, and bagged first place in the supermarket category of the ISP/VM+SD International Store Awards. ARE, or the Association of Retail Environments, is composed of retail and related companies famous for their cutting-edge innovation and service. Meanwhile, ISP/VM+SD is the Institute of Store Planners, and the Visual Merchandising + Store Design (VMSD) magazine, a renowned publication for retail designers and store display professionals. Interior Design is also a global, industry-leading design publication, website and events company.
“We feel that we’ve managed to establish a certain standard for supermarkets even though we have very few branches. We feel we can bring that standard up wherever we go, and we feel that more locations mean better convenience for local communities. We want to have beautiful stores and make sure those have beautiful supermarkets. So, we end up having the most beautiful supermarkets in the country,” says Landmark marketing head Kenneth Keng.
“We wanted to deliver a more concentrated Landmark experience, so we have a supermarket on the first level and a soon-to-open department store on the second, and that’s it. I think this is about 20 to 30 percent smaller than our Makati branch. This is actually our smallest, but we feel this is the correct size.”
Maximizing the space is a well-lit design with a white background, made brighter and smarter with curvy shelves and wide, flowing aisles.
Upon entrance, seasonal fruits and other healthy options are strategically displayed to entice shoppers. Landmark Nuvali is near farms in Laguna and Cavite, so it takes pride in better selections of farm produce from smaller suppliers.
“Honestly, the fresh section is not finalized yet, and we’re going to see large improvements every week. Our primary atrium is not complete but we’re already very confident about what we’re offering now; the product lines are here and they’re ready. We invite everyone to keep coming back every weekend, as you’ll be seeing new things opening here,” Keng adds.
The refrigerated meats/seafood section — Keng’s favorite part of the supermarket — was set up in a way that shoppers can see the butchers and fishmongers working behind the glass in the sterile area.
Adjoining the supermarket is an equally well-designed food court, lined up with high tables and barstools that make up for a chic and elegant space. There are popular food stalls and larger tenants offering prepared meals. What Landmark wants is a not-so-crowded typical food court, so shoppers can relax after doing the grocery.
Up on the second level will be the first Landmark department store outside Metro Manila, which will open before Christmas. Anticipating great deals and choices in fashion, accessories, home appliances and other items, people from the area are already excited as they will no longer need to travel to Landmark Alabang or Makati during the Christmas shopping spree.
“It’s our first time outside of Metro Manila, so we’re also very excited,” Keng remarks.
Ayala’s Nuvali is a thriving community nestled on Tagaytay-Santa Rosa Road, where business establishments have been springing up rapidly.
Keng discloses that it’s the first time Landmark moved to a prebuilt building, and they agreed because they’re confident with their partnership with Ayala.
“They’ve very easy to work with and they’re very flexible; we’ve had a good relationship with them for decades,” he says.