Former Senator Manny Villar is all about business these days.
Villar said his company will continue to expand into the retail industry, seeing it as an integral part of the firm’s business model.
As chairman of MBV Retail, Villar has launched a convenience store, department store, and housing goods store under the “All” brand.
“We have entered in a big way into retail because we feel that retail and malls, they go together. We are very happy with the results, and we are encouraged by the results,” Villar told ANC’s Cathy Yang in an exclusive interview at the sidelines of the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Solaire.
MBV Retail was formed in 2013 to carry the brands All Shoppe, All Home, and All Day, which is the only local player in a very competitive convenience store business.
“Family Mart, 7-Eleven and Mini Stop are Japanese brands, but the only Filipino brand is All Day. And I’m very proud of that,” said Villar.
Villar is also chairman of property firm Vista Land, which he also expects to continue expanding its reach.
He said that from the current 92 cities and municipalities nationwide, Vista Land is looking to expand its presence to 120 cities and municipalities.
“There’s no limit as to how far we can go,” he said.
Villar believes that 2015 will continue to be a banner year for the property industry in the country.
“I don’t see any change in 2015, there are challenges though. The world market is not as stable now, with what’s happening to China, and capital markets. But the Philippines is doing OK, since we’re in the Philippines, we’ll be OK,” the former senator said.
Villar is the 13th richest man in the Philippines with a net worth of $1.5 billion. His wife, Cynthia, took his place in politics, something the former Senate president said will not be part of his plans in the near future.
“I’m happy where I am now, I’m enjoying business. You can still do public service while in business, that’s what I discovered. That makes me happy,” he said.