Showing its confidence in the Philippines’ market, Japanese convenience chain FamilyMart says it will open 40 stores this year in Metro Manila.

The first opened at Glorietta 3 in Makati City earlier this month. The company said it serves as a model for the design and service standards that everyone can expect for all future stores in the country.

FamilyMart in the Philippines is a joint venture between Japan’s FamilyMart, Itochu and SIAL CVS Retailers Incorporated, a joint venture between Ayala Land and Stores Specialists of Rustan’s Group.

“We’re looking at 40 stores this year at the minimum and we’re looking at doubling that next year,” said Store Specialists EVP Anton Huang.

Long term development will see FamilyMart operating 300 stores in five years.

“The Philippine economy is growing and there is a growing need for convenience store services,” said Huang.

“We’ll be opening up one store after another almost on a weekly basis. We counting on our brand of customer services which we expect will be better the than rest couples with Japanese goods and 100 ready-to-eat fresh offers for people on the go.”

The Philippines is FamilyMart’s eight market outside Japan.