Makro Philippines is accelerating its return to the Philippine retail market, securing four strategic Ayala Land locations that could significantly expand its footprint across Metro Manila and Southern Luzon.
After nearly two decades away from the Philippine market, Makro is positioning itself for a major comeback—and its latest move puts the wholesale retailer in four key Ayala Land developments.
Ayala Land Inc. has signed land lease agreements with Makro Philippines covering Cloverleaf in Quezon City, Broadfield in Biñan, Laguna, Arca South in Taguig, and Evo City in Kawit, Cavite, according to recent reports.
The locations strategically stretch Makro’s reach from northern Metro Manila to major growth areas south of the capital.
Four locations, one bigger expansion strategy
The four Ayala Land sites give Makro access to established communities as well as rapidly developing residential and commercial corridors.
Cloverleaf gives the retailer a strategic foothold in northern Metro Manila, while Arca South provides access to the growing southern portion of the capital.
Meanwhile, Broadfield in Biñan, Laguna and Evo City in Cavite extend Makro’s potential customer base into two major growth areas outside Metro Manila.
Under the reported arrangements, Ayala Land will retain ownership of the properties at Cloverleaf, Broadfield and Evo City, while Makro will develop and operate its stores. At Arca South, Makro is expected to operate within Ayala Malls Arca South.
What shoppers can expect from the new Makro
Makro’s Philippine comeback is designed around a modern wholesale-retail format serving both households and small businesses.
The retailer plans to offer fresh and dry food, imported products and non-food essentials through physical stores and an e-commerce platform.
That positioning could put Makro directly into the growing battle for Filipino shoppers looking for value, bulk purchases and a wider selection of imported products.
The company is backed by a partnership between Ayala Corporation and Thailand-based CP AXTRA Public Company Ltd., the operator of the Makro and Lotus’s brands. Ayala’s first-quarter 2026 regulatory filing said CP AXTRA AC Corporation—the entity intended to operate Makro retail stores in the Philippines—was being funded for initial stores and facilities build-up.
Ayala Land’s bigger retail strategy
The Makro deal also fits into a broader Ayala Land strategy of using its estates to create stronger commercial ecosystems.
During Ayala Land’s April 2026 annual stockholders’ meeting, President and CEO Anna Ma. Margarita Dy said leasing was expected to remain a major growth driver and that the company’s planned new leasing footprint over the following three years would be located within Ayala Land estates.
That strategy means large-format retailers such as Makro can become important anchors inside Ayala’s mixed-use communities—potentially generating additional foot traffic while making surrounding residential developments more convenient for residents.
Makro’s Philippine comeback is getting bigger
The four-site agreement represents a significant step beyond Makro’s initial return plans.
Earlier in 2026, Ayala executives said the first Makro stores were being targeted for Cloverleaf and Arca South, with construction targeted for completion toward the end of the year.
The latest agreements indicate that the comeback is no longer limited to two locations.
Makro International Deputy Chief Executive Shaun Wong described the partnership with Ayala as a strong combination of retail and property capabilities, saying the future of the partnership was bright.
For Makro, leasing strategic locations rather than buying land outright can provide a faster and potentially more capital-efficient way to establish large-format stores. For Ayala Land, the retailer can serve as another major commercial anchor within its growing estates.
Why this matters to Filipino shoppers
Makro’s return comes at a time when consumers and small businesses remain highly focused on value.
A wholesale-oriented format could appeal to families buying in larger quantities, entrepreneurs sourcing supplies, and businesses looking for food and non-food products in one location.
And because the four sites are positioned across major residential and commercial growth corridors, the expansion could make Makro accessible to a much larger customer base than its initial comeback locations alone.
But there is still one important detail to watch.
The four-site agreement does not mean four Makro stores are already open. The locations form part of the retailer’s expansion plans, while individual construction and opening schedules can vary by site.
With Makro now securing a much wider network of Ayala Land locations, the bigger question is no longer whether the brand is coming back to the Philippines.
The question is how big Makro’s second Philippine run will ultimately become.
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