6 Best Supermarkets Known to Mom

S & R 

Bonifacio Global City; Alabang; Congressional Ave. in Quezon City; Aseana-Baclaran in Pasay City; Cebu; Pampanga

Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This members-only, warehouse-style supermarket is for the mom whose priority in shopping is quality, but quantity doesn’t have to play second fi ddle—the wise know that buying wholesale often results in more savings in the long run. Most of the merchandise are imported from the U.S. so the containers are huge (compared to what we are accustomed to) or are bundled together to make a set. If one shops here, it almost always means that she wouldn’t have to shop for at least another three or four weeks,as one would if she were buying piecemeal. There are also items for home improvement, gardening,and electronics, but what really warms the heart is its food service station where they serve humongous pizza, succulently roasted chicken, calzone, chowder,and all the soda you can drink.

 

Rustan’s Supermarket

Makati-Glorietta; Shangri-la Tower Mandaluyong; Powerplant Mall; Il Terrazo in Quezon City; Cebu

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This is where the saving grace of every seasoned grocery-shopping parent is found: the miniature shopping cart—guaranteed to keep whines and buy-me-that tantrums at bay. And if that in itself is not yet golden, these carts also have a flagpole that extends high up in the air so you do not lose track of your tot behind the shelves and aisles. Everything else becomes a bonus: the buy-one-take-one promos, the extensive imported-items racks, the conveniently placed service centers, and the free valet service for every purchase worth at least P1,000. (P.S. We also love the juicing section where they juice your chosen fruits right in front of you. That’s as fresh as fresh can get! Plus, the Shopwise Wise Card is also honored here, so you have more chances to rack up points.)

 

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SM Hypermarket

Cubao, Quezon City and in 32 other locations nationwideOpen 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. except in Cebu, Cubao, Dasmariñas, and Iloilo (open at 8 a.m.); and Adriatico, Batangas, Alabang-Zapote Road, Caloocan, East Service Road, Sucat-Lopez, North EDSA, North Harbour, and Pampanga (open at 9 a.m.) 

WHY WE LIKE IT: It’s the ultimate wet market experience on dry land. No, make that neat, spacious, organized, and very clean dry land. The fresh produce are displayed in orderly piles, and because you take a number at the meat section, there’s no stress over long waiting lines. The shelves are fully stacked with choices for every budget, local and imported alike. Most convenient, however, are the centralized bills-payment counter and the department store where you can grab a last-minute gift or an emergency change of clothes for your toddler.

 

Puregold

El Molito Commercial Complex, Madrigal Ave. cor. Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City, Alabang, and in 105 other locations nationwide

Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in most branches

WHY WE LIKE IT: This hypermarket is the go-to store for the mom who is more comfortable buying single-serve items or who benefi ts more with retail (like a sari-sari store owner). It’s a plus that the prices are very affordable. Each section is labeled properly (in big bold letters—up to the sub-department of coffee and honey) and that makes for an organized fl oor plan. It’s a runaway winner for the budget-conscious homemaker.

 

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Shopwise

Alabang; Antipolo; Araneta Cubao; Commonwealth; Libis; Makati; Manila; Sucat; and San Pedro, Laguna

Open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. except Araneta Cubao and San Pedro (open 8 a.m.)

 

WHY WE LIKE IT: We love that some of the staff are on rollerblades so that if a late price check is requested, the task is done in a jiffy. The promo shelves are highlighted, and it’s refreshing to see that these are not items that are counting down to their imminent expiration. For the health-conscious, some merchandise are categorized and labeled organic, all natural, and sugar-free. The department store is heaven on earth for those who don’t enjoy the crowded malls (they even sell electrical appliances here), and for the harried mom, the gift-wrapping counter is simply divine. Grab a Wise Card to earn points for shopping rebates. Visit any day for their daily promos: spin-a-prize, “buy one take one” on seafood, freebies—it could be your lucky day. (Plus, shop every first Wednesday of the month to earn 10 times as many points on your Wise Card!)

 

Robinsons Supermarket

Robinsons Galleria and in 29 other locations nationwideStore hours are the hours observed by the mall in which it is located

WHY WE LIKE IT: This supermarket has made it a point to prioritize health and wellness over low prices (although the latter can be found here, too). There are color-coded tags so you can distinguish an item’s best point: green for healthy, yellow for Supersaver, orange for ‘on sale,’ and white for regular price. Marketing also often comes up with budget bundles, and they’re always such a good deal. It also carries affordable furniture and a separate area for personal hygiene products (there’s even a Men’s Zone). Need quick, healthy chow on the go? Create your own fruit or veggie salad by the produce section—just choose which goodies to mix together for a truly personalized treat.

 

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Expert advice

 Here’s how to make your grocery-shopping experience a more pleasant one, as told by the country’s top chefs.*

1. Check for freshness. “Start with the best ingredients. Check for the freshness of meat and seafood by just using your senses. First, visual: Use your eyes, look at the color; don’t go for gray and brown. Second, tactile: Touch the meat or fi sh. The flesh shouldn’t sink when you press it. It shouldn’t be slimy, too. Third, olfactory: Smell it. If it smells funky, move on.

“Take your kids around when you go to the supermarket. Label the things you see and what you can do with them. For example, when you see a squid, describe and label it: ‘calamares.’ Then, mention the things you can do with squid, like squid rings. This will make them interested in preparing food.” —CHEF FERNS ARACAMA

2. No overbuying. “Stay away from scary-sounding ingredients on a product’s label. Products with only four or fi ve ingredients are most probably healthier.

“To make sure your food is fresh, buy only enough stock for four days max. Don’t overbuy just to save trips to the grocery.

“All-natural products should be consumed immediately because they don’t have preservatives,so their shelf-life is very short.”—CHEF ROLANDO LAUDICO

3. Make it quick. “Bring a cooler to store the fish and seafood in. Don’t go for food on sale or on promo—they’re most likely about to go bad. Choose the counter with the shortest line and park near the exit to ensure frozen food gets to your home still fresh.” —CHEF JAYPS ANGLO* 

 

Photos by Vincent Coscolluela