Fruitas speeds up nationwide rollout of community stores

Fruitas Holdings Inc. is going full speed ahead with the expansion of its community store network this year.

The listed food and beverage kiosk operator told the local bourse yesterday that it has secured 20 more locations for its community stores and is in final lease negotiations on another 20 locations.

This puts the company ahead of schedule in meeting its target of adding 70 community stores this year.

From a network of 30 as of end-2020, Fruitas targets to expand its community stores to 100 this year.

Fruitas opened a Soy & Bean community store in Malhacan Road, Meycauayan, Bulacan on Jan. 21, the company’s first community store outside Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

Fruitas also opened its second Soy & Bean community store in Makati last Jan. 29 in Island Plaza, Salcedo Village.

The firm said the next wave of community stores would cover more of Metro Manila and Cebu, and also include branches in Rizal, Pampanga, Cavite and Aklan.

“Our community stores have been positively received by our customers. Our rollout program for the year, covering at least 70 community stores and 100 kiosks, is keeping us busy, but we continue to be on the lookout for more opportunities,” Fruitas president and chief executive officer Lester Yu said.

“Our continued expansion not only allows our customers to reach us faster but also makes us an attractive distribution partner,” Yu said.

Fruitas, which was listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange in Nov. 2019, said it continues to enhance customer experience in community stores by offering curbside order and pickup.