New era of SM Supermalls

SM Supermalls: a safe space that fosters every Filipino’s passion for 40 years

SM Supermalls has always offered a diverse world of shopping, dining, and entertainment choices, more than enough to make it every Filipino’s daily destination for four decades now. It is a place where they can discover the latest retail trends, enjoy exclusive deals, and make lasting memories. It has conveniently become part of our daily lives as we could unquestionably find everything we need—from house wares, clothes, bags, health and wellness sanctuaries, the best dining spots, high-end theaters, food courts, ice skating rinks, and a host of special spaces—all in one roof.

 

Remarkable Milestone Year

As it celebrates this remarkable milestone year, SM Supermalls looks back and reflects on the journey it traversed (and how it still thrives despite the pandemic and a host of other challenges!), the bonds shared, memories created, and connections forged, while it simultaneously looks forward to innovation, transformation, growth and expansion together with every shopper’s need, further cementing its supermall supremacy in the years to come.

A safe space for every shopper

SM has entrenched itself as more than just a place to shop, that even despite the influx of shopping in the worldwide web (where online Filipinos can just shop with just a click from the heart of their own homes), it continues to offer a special sense of experience that can never be replicated. The larger than life décor and art installations, enticing food samples, live events, and its interactive environment that continue to beckon shoppers, prove that it has never once lost its charm for all its loyal customers who still take a trip to any SM Supermall to watch a movie, meet up with colleagues, binge shop, enjoy a hearty meal, or simply to indulge in the whole mall experience.

Over the years, mall goers have evolved, too, from just mere individuals who want to while time away on a lazy day, to homemakers who routinely do grocery shopping. Nowadays, SM has also become home to fur parents who need a relaxing weekend but simply couldn’t leave their pets at home, to foodies and influencers who either just want to try out a new restaurant concept for their content, dedicated e-sports gamers, and a K-stan or cosplayer, among many other characters seen around the mall.

SM Supermalls have excitingly evolved with each one of them.

The SM Paw Parks, an open and pet-friendly space for both humans and animals, are perfect to relax in. With every weekly tradition, every wagging tail is more than welcome at SM, a place that has grown with them, their pets, and their ‘fur-milies’.

“Natuwa kami kasi ayun nga very spacious [paw park], and then name-maintain din yung area, kaya feeling namin safe naman yung fur baby namin.

(We are pleased because the paw park is very spacious and well-maintained, so we feel that our fur babies are safe).”

- Mrs. Dela Fuente
Furparent

All SM Supermalls boast of a broad range of dining spots that can whet the discerning appetites of shoppers who love to do weekend lunches, urban professionals who unwind after a day’s work, or friends who get together for some satisfying meal after a shopping session. For Filipino foodies, SM is where shared stories come to life through a love of flavor, connection, and togetherness. From first dates to food vlogs, SM is the flavor of their story. For foodies and content creators, every dish is a discovery and a connection that tells and retells their hearty journey.

“Convenient ang SM when it comes to food, marami siyang choices hindi lang pang Filipino food, madami [rin] pang international. All in one na sa SM.

(SM is convenient when it comes to food. There are a lot to choose from, not only Filipino food, but also international cuisine).”

- Sofia Mercado
Self-confessed foodie

“SM is like a friend, kung baga pag may gusto kang puntahan, tapos mag-isa ka lang, [kapag] nag punta ka ng SM feeling mo ang dami mong kasama kasi maraming tao.

(SM is like a friend, when y ou want to check out something by yourself, you wouldn’t feel alone, because there are a lot of people in SM so it feels like you have someone with you).”

- Dormi Mesias
Self-confessed foodie

SM Supermalls has also fortified the interest of eSports players and their fans with the launch of its immersive gaming and e-sports tournaments in the malls, particularly during SM Cyber Month. From their first tourneys, the teamwork, and the exhilarating eGames, SM has become a launchpad for their dreams.

To date, the unveiling of the SM Game Park at SM Mall of Asia further elevates the fever pitch excitement for gamers and gaming content creators who all look forward to the thrill of playing amidst the pulsating energy in a breakthrough physical space that exceeds expectations (compared to online gaming, further establishing SM Supermalls as an exhilarating e-sports destination).

“As a gamer, malaking tulong yung SM sa min kasi nabibigyan nya ng opportunities na ma-expose or ng spotlight yung mga players na nakakasali sa SM tournaments or events.

(As a gamer, SM is really a big help because it gives opportunities or the spotlight to players who join SM tournaments or events).”

- Rendell Bangsal
Team captain of NU Bulldogs, E-sports team

“It is not at all surprising kasi ever since naman yung tagline was always ‘we’ve got it all’. I’m not sure if they’re still using it but that’s exactly what’s happening here kasi may physical space where people can watch and perform and play.

(It is not at all surprising because, ever since, the tagline was always “we’ve got it all”. I’m not sure if they’re still using it but that’s exactly what’s happening here because there is a physical space where people can watch, perform, and play).”

- Yael Yuzon
Vocalist of Sponge Cola

SM Supermalls has elevated mall-going to a whole new level through “fandomination” that brings nationwide pop culture celebrations to life through listening parties, K-Pop activations, cosplay events and concerts, film series of the latest boy band and artists at the SM Cinemas. In SM, fandom becomes family, passions come alive—from pop-ups to photocards, it’s their go-to stage and safe space.

For cosplayers like Dale, SM is where they were first seen and celebrated. But beyond their costumes, SM has boosted their confidence and creativity and allowed them to connect with a special community of fellow cosplayers who yearn for self-expression. It is evident that SM supports their passion for the arts, music and pop culture.

“It’s a home, it’s a safe space for us KPOP fans, kasi we feel included at saka we feel na safe kami dun sa circle na nandun kami inside the mall ng SM.

(It’s a home, it’s a safe space for us KPOP fans, because we feel included and we feel safe in the circle that we are inside SM mall).”

- Catherina May Salcon
K-Pop stan

“Sa pag attend ko po ng mga cosplay events katulad po ng mga ginagawa sa SMX, yung mga ibang tao na dati hindi na a-appreciate yung cosplay, parang mas naging open na sya sa maraming tao, marami na ring nakakapag show ng passion nila about sa anime and cosplay.

(When I attend cosplay events held in SMX, people who used to not appreciate cosplay now do, and it has been exposed to a lot of people. More and more cosplayers have shown their passion for anime and cosplay).”

- Dale Santarin
Cosplayer

With the upsurge of health and wellness lifestyle, even mindful individuals have another reason to revisit SM Supermalls as its SM Active Hub within the mall has been designed with fitness zones, featuring courts for the now-popular Pickleball, running tracks, and bike hubs that testify to SM Supermalls’ commitment to supporting the ever-growing active lifestyle of its health-conscious customers. SM Supermalls has truly evolved from more than just a brick-and-mortar retail edifice.

As an all-inclusive space, SM has built its facilities as efficiently and effectively through its well- thought of, people-centered design to prove that it can genuinely accommodate the diverse group of shoppers daily, no matter what age, body size, gender, strength, religion, including PWD- and pet- friendly spaces as a sincere response to meet all shoppers’ needs, characters, and passion. SM Supermalls have obviously innovated and introduced a seamless and enjoyable customer journey, tailored to cater to every family member’s seamless experience, especially for the new generation of shoppers.

Going above and beyond the transactional activities, SM has grown into a transformational venue that has become a significant part of every Filipino’s daily life and journey. Today, 40 years later, it continues to be a spirited shopping mecca, a vibrant place where families go to bond, where friends reunite over food, an entertainment hub, and a place where pop culture comes to life. Through the years, SM remains relevant by innovating in sync with the purchasing power, preference, and lifestyle of its customers. Being a full-fledged lifestyle destination 40 years later, people still frequent SM to shop, eat, play, celebrate, and make memories. It continues to create spaces that keep up with how every Filipino lives, works, and vibes.

Welcome the new era of SM Supermalls

SM started out as a humble shoe store named ‘Shoe Mart’ opened by Henry Sy, Sr. in Quiapo, Manila in 1958. From that humble dream of making quality shoes more accessible to Filipinos, a new era of the so-called “malling phenomenon” commenced as SM opened SM City North EDSA in 1985, during a time when mall culture barely existed in the country. Cliché as it may seem, but the rest was (beautiful) history. To date, SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia’s biggest developers and the operator of 88 malls in the Philippines, and 8 malls in China. With an average foot traffic of 4.2 million daily in the Philippines, 300,000 in China and over 20,000 tenant partners, SM Supermalls provides family fun experiences as it partners with the best-loved brands.

Hinged on their mission to provide the family fun mall experience that makes every day better for all, SM nurtures its partners and employees and commits to a better quality of life for the communities they serve by supporting programs and activities that are socially responsible and environmentally sustainable–a precious effort that has always been at the core of the SM’s operations. As proof, SM Supermalls take pride in using rooftop solar panels for sustainable energy across its 48 malls around the country, practices rainwater recycling and treatment to conserve water, is home to bike-friendly spaces and even e-vehicle charging stations in some of its malls to help reduce carbon footprint, and other sustainability advocacies (in partnership with other environmental institutions) to help promote the concept of reducing, reusing, and recycling.

SM Supermalls also champion entrepreneurship as it supports MSMEs and encourages job opportunities, which has since benefitted almost 20,000 local businesses. It has been a venue for government and private job fairs, pop-up events, food and digital bazaars which prove that every Filipino is part of celebrating the concept of comprehensive financial education towards economic growth.

Indeed, SM Supermalls have been a precious part of our childhood ‘malling’ memories and continually employ all-inclusive efforts to please a new breed of shoppers. It means that whoever you are, whatever your age or passion is, SM Supermalls will always be your safe space not only for shopping but also for celebrations, connections, community, and self-expression. SM’s goal is to serve, empower, and support your true self by growing and evolving with you.

Four decades and stronger than ever, SM has gone beyond being more than just a mere mall, it gave every Filipino comfort, growth, clarity, and a safe space where they can figure out who they really are and who they’re meant to be with. For 40 years (and counting!), each seamless customer transaction to fun and heartwarming visits, SM Supermalls has proven—again and again—that it is indeed a safe haven where every Filipino can find their own tribe, their person, and most importantly, themselves, their passions, who they really are, and what they truly live for.

To be updated about SM Supermalls’ 40th anniversary deals, follow them on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, or you can always check the their anniversary website: https://www.smsupermalls.com/celebrate-40-super-years.