Automatic Centre

Automatic Centre

Store façade in SM North EDSA, Quezon City
Product type	Appliance and electronics retail store chain
Introduced	1948;77 years ago (1948) by Benito Lim
Markets	Philippines

Automatic Centre is a appliance and electronics retail store chain in the Philippines. ^[1] Started in 1948 by Benito Lim, the store chain has grown to maintaining multiple outlets in Metro Manila.

History

Automatic Centre was established by Benito Lim in 1948. ^[2] It was a family business by the Lims, with sons Wilson and Samie founding Abensons and Blims Fine Furniture. Automatic Centre was managed under Automatic Appliances Inc. (AAI). ^[3]

The chain shutdown all of its stores on October 10, 2021 due to losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ^{[4] [5]} The Lim family has sought third parties interested to take over the Automatic Centre brand which had about 20 stores in Metro Manila at the time of its closure. ^[2]

However by October 2022, Automatic Centre has reopened 19 of its stores with an updated brand logo. ^[6]

References

1. "Automatic Super Centre Opening". Manila Bulletin. May 16, 2008. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2008. New 10000 m² Automatic Super Centre store at Araneta Center in what used to be Rustan's Superstore.
2. "Automatic Centre, Philippines' oldest appliance chain, to shut down". Rappler. September 8, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
3. "'Automatic Centre' brand up for sale: Lim family pulls the plug on appliance store due to COVID - Bilyonaryo Business News". Bilyonaryo.com. September 8, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
4. "Automatic Center to quit appliance retailing". Manila Bulletin. September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
5. "Automatic Centre to close shop, cites pandemic". BusinessWorld. September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
6. "'Automatic Yan!': 70-year-old appliance store reopens". Daily Tribune. October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2024.