Anko doubles down on the Philippines with new store and app

Australian homeware brand Anko is growing its Philippine footprint, opening its second store in Alabang Town Centre (ATC) just six months after debuting in Makati. The move signals a shift in focus toward suburban families and slower-paced lifestyles, aligning the brand more closely with how Filipinos live, shop, and unwind.

Anko's arrival in the South signals a shift in strategy: from bustling business districts to suburban sensibility. At 812 square metres, the Alabang store is more compact than Glorietta's 1,200-square-metre flagship. Its third and largest store is set to launch in Trinoma this July.

Anko - short for "a new kind of" - sells everything from sleek storage and minimalist tableware to crafts for children and self-care items for adults. It positions itself as both a budget-friendly and design-savvy choice for home and lifestyle needs, targeting young families and practical homemakers alike.

Don't miss: Australia's Anko brings affordable home and lifestyle finds to Trinoma

At the launch on 8 May, shoppers roamed aisles of monochrome ceramics, pastel organisers, and beauty kits. "We're happy to see Anko as more than just another retail store," said Mark Robert Uy, corporate and business development head at Ayala Corp., as quoted by BusinessWorld. "It's a shopping experience that focuses on creating the best in-store experience while offering products at affordable everyday prices."

The Alabang opening doubled as a community event, complete with a coffee bar, wellness corners, and kid-friendly activities. Actress Anne Curtis, the brand's local ambassador and a working mother herself, was on hand to share her personal favourites - including a microwave toastie maker and scented candles.

The launch also unveiled the Anko Club, a loyalty programme housed entirely in a mobile app. Unlike typical points-based systems, the app offers exclusive access to events, VIP experiences, and community-driven challenges. Registering gives users a digital pass to events, and transactions until 7 June double as raffle entries for a family staycation at Seda Hotel.

The ATC opening is part of a broader rollout, with a third store set to launch in Trinoma, Quezon City, this July. "Anko is all about making everyday living brighter. With our Trinoma store, we are very excited to bring even more shoppers home and lifestyle essentials designed to match every lifestyle," Rachel Turner, country manager of Anko Philippines, previously said.

Arjun Puri, CEO of Anko Global, pointed to the brand's integrated development model as the driver behind its ability to offer stylish, affordable home essentials. "By managing the entire process - from design and sourcing to production and retail - we streamline operations and keep costs down. This allows us to offer well-designed, functional products that align with international trends at prices that make sense for our Filipino customers," he said.

Anko, the house brand of Kmart Australia, has steadily expanded beyond Australia and New Zealand, with standalone stores emerging in markets such as the Philippines. Through Anko Global - a capability centre supporting both Kmart and Target - the brand now represents over 85% of products sold across Kmart Australia's over 300 stores.

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