Why There Is No Mercury Drugstore on SM Malls

MERCURY DRUGSTORE. Photo taken at Abreeza Ayala Mall branch. 

If you might observe, Mercury Drugstore is nowhere to be found on any SM Mall branches in the City. Not just in Davao, but all around the country. 

It is quite intriguing to know the reason behind this set-up. In almost every malls, Mercury Drug always put up their brand for pharmaceutical supplies. 

To satisfy our curiosity, we have listed below the reasons that we found. One of it might be real and the others might just be a made up story: 

1. The Famous Shoe Story

It all began on a young man named Henry Sy, who is now a successful businessman; owner of SM Mall, Chinabank, etc...

It is when he was still a poor boy, as he began to decide to put up a shoe store business in Quiapo. A small start up which he believe that could grow big if he will be able to place it near a famous establishment. On that time, the Mercury Drugstore was the dominant and huge pharmaceutical enterprise.The young Henry Sy saw that opportunity to collaborate with them and place his store near front their area.

Unfortunately, he got rejected and quite insulted with what he proposed. With that, the young Henry Sy promised to himself that when he will become successful, Mercury Drugstore will be banned in his premise. 

2. The High Rental Fee

This reason tries to debunk the previous story of  a young Henry Sy into an urban myth. 

According to the Shoemart Inc. Head, Teresita Sy-Coson, that the only reason why Mercury Drugstore is not in any SM branches is because of a slight problem in the agreement of rental rates. It looks like Mercury Drugstore could not afford to have its business inside the SM Mall. 

3. Watson's Competitor

For our information, Henry Sy franchised Watsons. In order to avoid competition, he rejected to accept any pharmaceutical company that might enter the mall. 

Ok, so we have listed three (3) of the most reasonable excuse on why Mercury Drugstore is not in any SM branches. The number one reason tend to be popular and quite appealing to the public. Number two could be a reason for having high rental rates might end up for Mercury Drug to suffer. and the last reason seems logical when it comes to elimination of competitors in business. 

Overall, we could not agree to whatever truth there is behind these things.