Robinsons can use Ministop brand until 2022, to rebrand after

The recent days have been a whirlwind of news for both Ministop and Robinsons. The latter announced its plan for the Japanese convenience store brand.

Left photo: Artist interpretation of a combined logo of Ministop and Robinsons (not official), right photo: Ministop Uncle John's Fried Chicken

Expanded services to include e-commerce and delivery!

The Gokongwei Group announced on Tuesday that it will rebrand Ministop Philippines by 2023. Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI) president and CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe said owning 100 percent of Ministop Philippines provides a good opportunity to RRHI.

In a statement, Ministop Philippines released on Monday, it read that its stores will continue to carry its "best-sellers" such as Uncle John's Fried Chicken and Kariman. 

Under the new agreement with Ministop Japan, RRHI will continue to operate the stores using the Ministop brand within the transition period agreed upon with Ministop Japan, until they are repurposed and appropriately rebranded in consideration of strong ready-to-eat offerings such as Uncle John’s Fried Chicken and Kariman, RRHI said in a statement on Monday.

RRHI is reported to be planning to buy Japan-based Ministop Co., Ltd.'s stake in Robinsons Convenience Stores, Inc. (RCSI) for an undisclosed price. The transaction, if successful, will bump RRHI's stake in RCSI, which is the exclusive franchisee of Ministop in the Philippines, to 100 percent from its current 60 percent.

Our stores will continue to carry our best-sellers while we continue to diversify our ready-to-eat menu and offer new products to the market, Suresh Ramalinggam, Ministop Philippines General Manager said in the statement.

Customers can also rely on our convenient e-services and bills payment facilities, he added.

The plans are yet to be concrete, so we think we will have to wait until next year before seeing how RRHI will rebrand the beloved Ministop Philippines.