Japanese convenience chain FamilyMart has opened its first store in the Philippines.

The store, on the ground level of Glorietta 3 in Makati City, is the first of 300 stores planned to open in the next five years.

The opening follows an agreement signed between Japan’s FamilyMart, Itochu and SIAL CVS Retailers Incorporated, a joint venture between Ayala Land and Specialty Investments of Rustan’s Group.

“Opening the first FamilyMart in the country is another milestone in the history of the Ayala Land. This is part of the plan to venture into innovative retail operations that will support the company’s over-all vision for its commercial business,” said Cora Dizon, Ayala Land CBG head for business development.

“Our target is to open at least 30 stores within the year and like the one we just opened in Glorietta, a number of these stores will be rolled out within existing and planned developments of Ayala Land in various parts of the country,” said Dizon.

The store in Glorietta carries a wide variety of Japanese food, ready-to-eat meals and other convenience items. It is equipped with wi-fi connection, bill payment facilities and comfort rooms.

FamilyMart has a current store count of about 20,000 in nine countries including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, the US, Indonesia, Taiwan, China, and now the Philippines.