DRUGSTORE chain Southstar Drug is aiming to increase its store network to 800 by next year, with up to 60 store openings planned for this year.
“With plans to reach 800 stores by 2026, Southstar Drug remains committed to its founding belief: that healthcare should not be a privilege, but a promise — delivered humbly, one Filipino at a time,” the company said in a statement.
Asked where the store openings will be, the company said, “Generally, it is in Luzon and the National Capital Region (NCR) because our footprint is here.”
“A minimum of 25 stores will be in NCR as we have a sister company in the VisMin region called Rose Pharmacy, with which we have a synergy,” it said.
“This year we’re planning to open 50-60 stores. This is still largely dependent on the sites that will be acquired,” it added.
Last month, Southstar Drug opened its 700th store inside the University of the Philippines (UP)Diliman.
“The UP Diliman store symbolizes not just geographical expansion, but a natural and seamless integration into a vibrant academic community,” the company said.
“Southstar Drug has supported the University Health Services through annual donations and currently sponsors the UP Track and Field Team, demonstrating how presence can be purposeful without being promotional,” it added.
This year also marks the drugstore’s 88th year since being founded in the Bicol Region in 1937.
“From its roots in the Bicol region, Southstar Drug has steadily built a stronghold in South Luzon and Central Luzon, with key expansions in provinces like Pampanga, where its presence continues to grow,” the company said.
“It has also made its mark in Metro Manila, adapting to the evolving needs of urban communities through innovations like drive-thru pharmacies currently available in Muntinlupa, Marikina, and even in Pampanga as well,” it added.
It is also making strides in e-commerce, noting that its digital platform is “one of the most expansive in the country.”
“This ensures that access to medicine is just a few clicks away, even for those outside major cities,” the company said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
