Entrance to a Spinneys supermarket in Dubai, UAE.
Spinneys, which began its journey in Dubai’s Al Nasr Square back in 1961, is now poised to venture into Southeast Asia.
The upscale grocery chain from the UAE has entered into a partnership with the Ayala Corporation to establish a number of supermarkets in the Philippines, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion efforts.
According to their agreement, Ayala will own a 60% share, while Spinneys will retain the remaining 40%. The inaugural store is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026, with plans for additional locations to follow. The collaboration will take a two-phase approach, with Spinneys initially providing operational support before transferring day-to-day management to the new entity.
This initiative builds on Spinneys’ expanding regional presence. In June 2024, the retailer opened its inaugural outlet in Riyadh within the prestigious An Nuzha district, with ambitions to establish as many as 12 locations across Saudi Arabia by 2028.
In addition, this year has seen the retailer announce its intention to expand into Kuwait and open ten more outlets within the UAE.
Further Reading: Spinneys broadens its regional reach with a new establishment in Riyadh
Sunil Kumar, CEO of Spinneys, expressed that the Philippines represents an ideal market for their first expansion outside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He stated, “The Philippines demonstrates robust long-term growth prospects, featuring solid economic foundations, a rising affluent demographic, and an increasing appetite for premium offerings.”
Kumar added, “Our collaboration with Ayala merges their in-depth local expertise with our operational proficiency, laying down a strong base for measured growth. We are excited to introduce our high-quality and fresh products to this new market.”
Ayala Corporation, one of the oldest and most prominent conglomerates in the Philippines, maintains a diverse portfolio that spans real estate, banking, telecommunications, energy, and logistics. The company has been enhancing its retail presence through alliances with international brands.
“We are privileged to be the inaugural partner of Spinneys as it branches out of the GCC,” remarked Cezar P. Consing, president and CEO of Ayala Corporation. “We anticipate that this investment will stimulate trade and investment relations between the Philippines and the GCC.”
The collaboration aims to merge Ayala’s access to prime locations in mixed-use developments with Spinneys’ proficiency in high-end fresh food retailing. As the Philippine market develops its middle and upper-income groups, there is an increasing demand for modern, high-quality retail experiences, providing an ideal entry point for Spinneys.
Currently, Spinneys operates over 80 supermarkets across the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia (including locations under the Waitrose brand), and is recognized for its quality offerings. The company’s initial public offering in 2024 on the Dubai Financial Market raised Dhs1.4 billion, fueling its expansion strategy beyond the Gulf region.