It is doing so through a newly expanded retail partnership with CP AXTRA, owned by the century-old CP Group.
The memorandum of understanding signed on Nov. 13 gives Ayala a direct bridge between Philippine consumer demand and Thailand’s scale in wholesale, food retail, and e-commerce.
“This partnership with CP Group allows us to put into action our strategy of offering Filipinos more choices by bringing the best of the world to the Philippines; while at the same time bringing the best of the Philippines to the world,” said Mark Uy, head of corporate strategy and business development at Ayala.
The agreement also builds on an earlier deal to bring back Ayala’s Makro two decades after its exit, now revived through M&Co Corporation, the joint venture between ACX Holdings and CP AXTRA subsidiary Makro ROH.
Ayala eyes Thai investments
For Ayala, the deal reinforces its consumer-sector push in the Philippines and overseas.
“ACX’s expanded partnership with CP AXTRA marks its deepening engagement in the consumer sector in the Philippines and potential foray into the Thai market,” said Ayala, whose businesses span banking, real estate, telecommunications, power, healthcare, cars, and manufacturing.
Two business houses unite
“This collaboration reflects our shared ambition to pursue new growth by leveraging our respective strengths and resources,” said Tanit Chearavanont, group chief wholesale business officer, CP AXTRA Public Company Ltd.
“Together, we aim to unlock untapped opportunities across retail, wholesale, e-commerce, and mall development—starting with the re-entry of Makro in the Philippines, exploring potential investments and joint developments in CP AXTRA’s affiliates, and enhancing management support for key projects in Thailand,” he added.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
