Henry Sy Sr. Business and Family Business
Who is Henry Sy Sr.
Henry Sy Sr. was a Chinese-Filipino entrepreneur best known as the founder of SM Investments Corporation (SMIC), one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates. His entrepreneurial journey began with a small shoe store in Manila and evolved into a business empire spanning retail, property, banking, logistics, and more. He is often regarded as one of the wealthiest and most influential business figures in Philippine history.
What is Henry Sy Sr. Business
| Business | Description |
|---|---|
| ShoeMart (1958) | Henry Sy Sr.’s first venture—a small shoe store in downtown Manila—sold surplus G.I. boots and later imported shoes. This store eventually expanded into the SM Department Store. |
| SM Store | Formerly ShoeMart, this is now a leading department store chain in the Philippines under SM Retail. |
| SM Supermarket / Hypermarket / SaveMore / Alfamart | SM’s extensive presence in grocery retail. Alfamart is operated through a partnership with an Indonesian retail group. |
| Specialty Retail Stores | Operates multiple consumer brands: Ace Hardware, Watsons (through a joint venture), Toy Kingdom, Baby Company, Our Home, Miniso, and more. |
| SM Prime Holdings, Inc. | The main property development arm overseeing SM Supermalls, residential units (SMDC), hotels, and commercial buildings. |
| Hotels and Tourism | Includes Conrad Manila, Pico Sands Hotel, Taal Vista Hotel, and leisure properties through Belle Corporation. |
| BDO Unibank, Inc. | One of the largest banks in the Philippines; part of the SM Group’s financial arm. |
| China Bank (Chinabank) | Another key financial institution affiliated with the Sy family. |
| 2GO Group / Airspeed | Logistics and transportation companies under SM’s diversified portfolio. |
| Goldilocks Bakeshop, Inc. | Acquired equity in this popular Filipino food brand. |
| Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC) | Part of the group’s investment in renewable energy. |
| National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) | The Sy Group owns a 30% stake in the country’s power grid operator. |
| United Infrastructure Corporation (UIC) | Focused on toll roads and infrastructure development. |
| MyTown Dormitories | Co-owned development of dormitory-style housing for young professionals in Metro Manila. |
What is Henry Sy Sr. Family Business
| Business | Description |
|---|---|
| SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) | The holding company of the Sy family’s diversified interests across retail, real estate, banking, logistics, and more. The company is now managed by Henry Sy Sr.’s children and professional executives. |
| SM Prime Holdings, Inc. | Managed by the family with roles held by Henry Sy’s children and professional board members. Operates over 80 malls in the Philippines and several in China. |
| BDO Unibank / Chinabank | The Sy family plays an active role in these banks, with several family members sitting on the board or holding advisory positions. |
Beyond their core ventures, Henry Sy Sr. Business and Family Business portfolio may include smaller enterprises or investments – reflecting their extensive entrepreneurial legacy.
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