MANILA — Henry Sy, a tycoon known as the “father of modern Philippine retail,” whose chain of super malls changed the country’s retail landscape, died on Saturday in Manila. He was 94.

His company, SM Investments Corporation, announced the death.

For the last 11 years, Forbes had named Mr. Sy the richest person in the Philippines. His net worth was estimated as $19 billion.

Mr. Sy opened the first ShoeMart in 1958 after a stint selling surplus boots. It later became known simply as SM.

From a tiny shop in downtown Manila, SM grew into a behemoth, with 62 department stores, 56 supermarkets and more than 200 smaller grocery stores. SM had revenues of $6.7 billion in 2016. The chain also operates six malls in China.