More sari-sari stores are transacting online through the Sari.PH Pro app, according to Packworks, reaching 175,000 of such stores in 2024,

Data from Packworks reveals over 175,000 stores actively transacted through its Sari.PH Pro app in 2024, representing a 32-percent increase from about 133,000 stores in the previous year.

“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.

Region VI (Western Visayas) saw the largest increase in transacting stores, at 62 percent, followed by Region IV-A (CALABARZON) with 50 percent and Region V (Bicol Region) with 47 percent. Notable growth was also recorded in Region III (Central Luzon) (26 percent) and Region VII (Central Visayas) (21 percent). Significantly the spikes in transactions across regions were recorded from September to December, which aligns with the peak “ber” – months season in the Philippines. On average, there was a 12 percent increase in transacting stores across the country.

While many regions experienced significant growth, Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) saw the most significant decrease in transacting stores, particularly in April and May 2024, the same time when Typhoon Aghon hit the region. During this period, transacting stores fell to 20 percent in April and approximately 38 percent in May.
Covering 96 percent of the Philippines’ provinces and extending to more than 15,000 barangays, Packworks’ platform now reaches nearly 23 percent of the estimated 1.3 million sari-sari stores nationwide.

Launched in 2018 as a solution for multinational companies with only a handful of sari-sari store partners, Packworks has rapidly expanded as a B2B platform that enables growth and success throughout all stakeholders in the supply chain ecosystem, from small sari-sari store owners to wholesalers, distributors, and renowned fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies and brands. Through the Sari.PH Pro app, sari-sari store owners can access pricing tools, inventory management, sales and revenue tracking, and working capital loans.

PIA PHOTO