MANILA, Philippines — Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI), the retail arm of the Gokongwei group, has announced plans to shut down all standalone No Brand stores in the Philippines by the end of June 2026.
The company said the move reflects evolving consumer preferences and a strategic shift toward retail formats that drive stronger and more sustainable returns. No Brand currently accounts for only a small share of RRHI’s overall business, representing roughly 0.2 percent of annual net sales and a minimal portion of total assets.
RRHI President and CEO Stanley C. Co explained the decision to wind down the standalone grocery concept is part of efforts to simplify the company’s portfolio and prioritize retail formats that better meet customer needs. The company thanked its partner, South Korea’s Emart—the owner of the No Brand label—for their years of collaboration.
No Brand entered the Philippine market in 2019 under a master franchise agreement with Emart, offering a variety of private‑label products and affordable Korean snacks and goods. Over time, however, the format failed to gain significant traction amid a competitive retail environment.
RRHI operates one of the largest retail networks in the Philippines—with thousands of supermarkets, drugstores, convenience outlets, and specialty shops nationwide—and said the exit of No Brand is not expected to materially affect its financial performance.
The planned closures will affect all 11 remaining No Brand standalone stores across the country, marking the end of the Korean grocery concept’s presence in the local retail market.