Australian home and lifestyle retailer Anko is deepening its footprint in the Philippines, underscoring its growing confidence in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
With the opening of its newest store at Gateway Mall in Araneta City, Anko is positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of Filipino families looking for stylish, functional, and affordable products for their homes and everyday lives.
“The expansion reflects Anko’s belief in the Philippines’ rising middle class, resilient consumer spending, and deeply family-centric culture—factors that continue to drive demand for value-driven lifestyle solutions,” said Kimberly Mulligan, Interim Country Manager of Anko Philippines.
The Gateway Mall branch marks another milestone in Anko’s rapid expansion, less than two years after the Australian retailer entered the Philippine market in November 2024.
Mulligan described the new store as a bright and welcoming retail space offering everything from homewares and kitchen essentials to beauty products, toys, pet accessories, and seasonal merchandise—all designed to combine quality, style, and affordability.
For Anko Global Chief Executive Officer Arjun Puri, the company’s expansion is part of a carefully planned long-term strategy rather than a race to increase store numbers.
“We are acutely aware of the economic momentum and strong consumer demand in markets such as Cebu, Davao, and key growth areas across Luzon,” Puri said. “However, we do not scale simply to chase store count. Our growth is highly calculated. We expand where we can execute our business model efficiently and deliver uncompromising value to the consumer.”
He said the Gateway store represents Anko’s disciplined approach to expansion.
“Gateway is the blueprint for how we operate—deliberate, highly strategic, and anchored in exactly the right locations. You can absolutely expect us to establish a national presence, and when we do, it will be executed with that same discipline,” Puri said.
Listening closely to customers also plays a key role in shaping the retailer’s product strategy. Through the Anko Club app, the company gathers direct feedback on consumer preferences, helping determine which products to introduce and retain in its stores.
“Our stores carry up to 2,837 product keycodes at any given time,” Puri said. “We’re constantly balancing fresh, exciting ranges with the everyday affordable essentials our customers rely on. There’s always something new to discover, but the core of what makes Anko will always remain.”
Mulligan added that Anko continually refreshes its product ranges to coincide with seasonal occasions such as Father’s Day, back-to-school, and Christmas, while ensuring that every collection reflects the practical needs and preferences of Filipino families.
She described the Gateway opening as significant for two reasons.
First, it represents Anko’s expansion beyond the Ayala Group’s mall network, signaling the company’s broader growth ambitions across the country.
Second, it showcases the capability of the company’s Filipino workforce.
“This is the first Anko store physically led and delivered by our Filipino partners on the ground,” Mulligan said. “While our global team provided remote support in areas such as store design, product selection, and visual merchandising, every on-site decision and execution was driven by Filipinos, for Filipinos.”
“It’s not just another store opening,” she added. “It’s a reflection of what our local team can accomplish and an important step in Anko’s continued growth in the Philippines.”
A market built on consumer spending
The retailer’s optimism is shared by industry observers.
According to Sheila Lobien, chief executive officer of Lobien Realty Group, both Anko and Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo remain bullish on the Philippines because of its large and expanding consumer market, even as household spending growth moderates.
Philippine household consumption grew by about 5.3 percent in 2023, 4.8 percent in 2024, and an estimated 4.6 percent in 2025, reflecting continued expansion despite inflationary pressures and more cautious consumer spending. Household consumption also accounts for roughly 70 to 75 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, making the Philippines one of Asia’s most consumption-driven economies.
Lobien noted that slower spending growth may actually benefit retailers focused on value.
“As consumers become more value-conscious, they prioritize quality, durability, and affordability over premium or luxury brands,” she said in an email interview. “This plays directly to the strengths of Anko’s affordable home and lifestyle products and Uniqlo’s LifeWear value proposition, both of which emphasize quality at accessible price points.”
The companies’ expansion plans reflect that confidence.
Anko has grown from a single Philippine store in 2024 to six stores by mid-2026.
The article was originally published in Business Mirror and written by Katrina Domingo.
If you like this article, share it on social media by clicking any of the icons below.
About Post Author
More Stories
Eucalyptus joins ALO’s Click Space
Ortigas Land charts 95 years of heritage in GH Mall photo exhibit
Eco-friendly real estate innovations in Bulacan