DAVAO CITY — Homegrown LTS Retail Specialists, Inc., operator of the New Commercial Complex Center (NCCC) stores, is opening its 60th branch in Mati City within October.
The 2,198-square meter branch, its second in Davao Oriental, will house the company’s NCCC supermarket and Hardwaremaxx, similar to the first opened in Lupon town last year.
“Mati population maybe small, but there are a lot of tourists. It is also a replenishment destination of areas as far as Maragusan in Compostela Valley and other neighboring towns,” Tjader P. Regis, LTS senior vice-president, told BusinessWorld.
Mati, the capital of Davao Oriental, has a population of about 140,000 based on the latest Philippine Statistics Authority data.
“Mati is a growing area,” said Mr. Regis, noting that Davao Oriental is a growing tourist destination with its beaches and Mt. Hamiguitan, a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“We are not the only one investing in Mati… If you can combine the efforts of these businesses that see the opportunities, you will see the boom (in the city’s economy),” he added.
On the hardware business, Adel O. Lalang, Hardwaremaxx area head, said they are offering the do-it-yourself type of shop, rather than the usual over-the-counter stores, with some other product ranges.
“What the (Hardwaremaxx) brand is offering is not just hardware products, but all other products, pet shop products and even appliances,” he said. — Carmelito Q. Francisco
