Report: Western Visayas leads 62% growth in sari-sari store transactions

The Philippines' sari-sari store sector has seen significant growth in 2024, with Western Visayas, CALABARZON, and Bicol Region leading the expansion, according to recent data from Packworks, a Filipino tech startup supporting small retailers.

Packworks reported that over 175,000 sari-sari stores actively transacted through its Sari.PH Pro app in 2024. This was a 32% increase from approximately 133,000 stores in the previous year.

Western Visayas experienced the highest growth, with a 62% increase in transacting stores, followed by CALABARZON at 50% and Bicol Region at 47%. Central Luzon and Central Visayas also showed notable growth at 26% and 21%, respectively.

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The surge in transactions was particularly strong from September to December, aligning with the peak 'ber'-months shopping season in the Philippines. On average, the number of transacting stores nationwide increased by 12%.

"Our data illustrates the robust growth of sari-sari store activities in the regions. The surge in the number of stores recorded in our app is a testament to the savvy entrepreneurial spirit of these businesses, which are the grassroots foundation of local economies. As they thrive, they create jobs, stimulate the local retail ecosystem, and contribute to the overall economic development of the Philippines," Packworks CEO and founder Bing Tan said in a release.

However, while most regions saw strong growth, MIMAROPA recorded a decline in transacting stores, particularly in April and May 2024, when Typhoon Aghon impacted the region. The number of transacting stores fell by 20% in April and approximately 38% in May.

Packworks co-founder Ibba Bernardo underscored the importance of ensuring reliable infrastructure and essential services for sari-sari store owners, especially in disaster-prone areas. "Aside from providing them with business tools, empowering sari-sari stores also means ensuring they have the essential services to remain operational, even during challenging times. Access to reliable internet connectivity and power is critical for community preparedness and recovery," he said.

"We hope that by sharing this data we can highlight where strategies for growth and support can be focused this 2025, especially with upcoming elections and seasonal climate impact events on the horizon. By strengthening these crucial services, we can help nurture these businesses further, and make them more resilient and sustainable to the communities they serve," added Bernardo.

Packworks' platform now covers 96% of the Philippines' provinces, reaching over 15,000 barangays and nearly 23% of the estimated 1.3 million sari-sari stores nationwide.

Launched in 2018 as a solution for multinational companies working with small retailers, Packworks has evolved into a full-fledged B2B platform facilitating growth across the supply chain. Through its Sari.PH Pro app, sari-sari store owners gain access to pricing tools, inventory management, sales tracking, and working capital.

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