PLATFORM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.Islands Group president and chief executive officer Jonathan Jay Aldeguer says they will be aggressive in expanding Islands Pasalubong because it also serves as a platform for community-based business to tap. (SUN.STAR FILE)

THE Islands Group of Companies is beefing up its business units by branching out to more areas across the country on the back of the thriving tourism-retail sector.

Islands Group president and chief executive officer Jonathan Jay Aldeguer said the company is set to open nine additional outlets of Islands Pasalubong in Manila and Cebu beginning the first half of 2015.

The firm opened its flagship store in Manila in Quezon City last month. By next year, four more outlets will open in Manila in areas like Makati, Paraaque-Alabang and another outlet in Quezon City.

In Cebu, Aldeguer said they plan to open at least five outlets. A new outlet of Islands Pasalubong costs from P8 million to P10 million.

Small businesses

We are a bit aggressive in expanding Islands Pasalubong because this is a business that caters to everybody. Aside from that this is a concept that showcases the delicacies of the different destinations in the country, and more importantly, a platform for community-based business to plug in their business to us, said Aldeguer.

He noted that for their Manila operation alone, they have already tapped at least 20 micro-entrepereneurs. Every quarter, the store will introduce or feature different delicacies.

Islands Pasalubong is a one-stop shop that houses the best and most complete assortment of Cebuano brands in local delicacies as well as the hard to find homemade varieties.

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Islands Group sets expansion in 2015