FILIPINO tech startup Packworks has reported a significant increase in sari-sari store transactions on its platform, reflecting the growing adoption of digital tools among micro-retailers.
Data from Packworks’ Sari.PH Pro app revealed that over 175,000 sari-sari stores actively transacted in 2024, marking a 32 percent jump from 133,000 stores the previous year. The surge underscores the expanding role of digital solutions in optimizing small-scale retail operations across the Philippines.
Among the regions, Western Visayas led growth with a 62 percent increase, followed by Calabarzon at 50 percent and the Bicol Region at 47 percent. Central Luzon and Central Visayas also saw notable increases of 26 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
“Our data illustrates the robust growth of sari-sari store activities in the regions,” said Packworks chief executive officer and founder Bing Tan. “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.”
While many regions experienced growth, Mimaropa saw a decline in transacting stores in April and May 2024, coinciding with the devastation of Typhoon Aghon. Transactions in the region dropped by 20 percent in April and 38 percent in May, highlighting the vulnerability of micro-retail businesses to natural disasters.
Packworks co-founder Ibba Bernardo stressed the importance of reliable infrastructure and connectivity in supporting these small businesses, especially in disaster-prone areas.
“Access to reliable Internet connectivity and power is critical for community preparedness and recovery. 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,” said Bernardo.
Packworks’ platform now covers 96 percent of the Philippines’ provinces and serves over 15,000 barangays, reaching nearly 23 percent of the estimated 1.3 million sari-sari stores nationwide.
Founded in 2018 as a solution for multinational companies with a limited sari-sari store network, Packworks has evolved into a full-scale B2B platform. Through its Sari.PH Pro app, sari-sari store owners can access pricing tools, inventory management, sales tracking and working capital loans, helping them streamline operations and boost profitability. / KOC