Saturday, July 26, 2008 Consumers resort to sachetswith decline of buying power
A businessman confirmed that the use of sachets to package different products in the country has increased.
There are also products, which were considered as “unlikely” to be sold in such packaging, are now packaged in sachets.
Robert Go, president of Prince Warehouse Club Inc., said the increasing use of sachets is “economic in nature.”
“It boils down to what is more affordable to the consumers,” he told reporters yesterday during the Sari-Sari Store Festival held at the Cebu International Convention Center.
More than 1,500 sari-sari store owners attended the one-day activity that features an exhibit of different products and live entertainment.
First use
The participants were also given a talk on finance management, inventory system and access to micro-financing institutions
to help them in their respective businesses.
Go said sachets were first introduced to package shampoo, soap and toothpaste for hotel use.
At present, toiletries are not the only products packaged in sachets. Sachet packaging now includes milk, powdered juice, cooking oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sandwich spread, deodorants and even shoe polish.
Go said the use of sachets, which is only prevalent here in the Philippines, also indicates that most Filipino consumers live on a day-to-day basis.
Manufacturers offer their products in sachets since it is less costly to produce and will make the products faster to dispose.
Those meager budgets are not the only ones who buy products in sachets, Go said, adding that some consumers will
choose to buy similar items to better manage their consumption.
Aside from the increase in the use of sachets, Go also observed that Filipinos no longer eat noodles as a snack but as a regular staple during lunch or dinner, together with rice and sardines.
There is also an increased preference for recycled plastic ware, he said.
He said recycled products look different from items in their original state. (DME)
