Western Visayas, CALABARZON, and Bicol Region Lead in Growth
Packworks, a Filipino tech startup providing an app ecosystem for sari-sari stores, has reported a remarkable 32% increase in the number of stores transacting on its platform across the Philippines in 2024. This surge reflects the expanding role of digitization in grassroots retail sectors, with over 175,000 sari-sari stores actively using the Sari.PH Pro app in 2024, compared to 133,000 stores in 2023.
Region VI (Western Visayas) saw the highest increase in transacting stores, with a growth rate of 62%. This was followed by Region IV-A (CALABARZON), which recorded a 50% increase, and Region V (Bicol Region), with a 47% increase. Other regions, including Region III (Central Luzon) and Region VII (Central Visayas), experienced significant growth of 26% and 21%, respectively. Notably, transaction spikes occurred between September and December 2024, coinciding with the peak ‘ber’ months in the Philippines. On average, there was a 12% rise in transacting stores nationwide.
Bing Tan, Packworks CEO and Founder, attributed the increase to the entrepreneurial spirit of sari-sari store owners, highlighting their role in driving local economies. “The surge in the number of stores recorded on our app is a testament to the strength of these businesses, which are the grassroots foundation of local economies. As they thrive, they create jobs, stimulate local retail ecosystems, and contribute to the overall economic development of the Philippines,” Tan explained.
However, not all regions experienced positive growth. Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) saw the most significant decrease in transacting stores, particularly during the months of April and May 2024, when Typhoon Aghon affected the area. During these months, the number of transacting stores dropped to 20% in April and around 38% in May.
Packworks co-founder Ibba Bernardo emphasized the importance of providing essential services to support the growth of sari-sari stores, especially in areas frequently affected by natural disasters. “Empowering sari-sari stores goes beyond providing business tools; it’s about ensuring they have reliable access to critical services such as internet connectivity and power, particularly during times of crisis. Strengthening these services will help businesses become more resilient and sustainable for the communities they serve,” Bernardo said.
Covering 96% of the Philippines’ provinces and reaching over 15,000 barangays, Packworks’ platform now serves nearly 23% of the estimated 1.3 million sari-sari stores across the country.
Launched in 2018, Packworks has expanded its platform from serving a small network of sari-sari store partners to a comprehensive B2B solution. The Sari.PH Pro app provides sari-sari store owners with tools for pricing, inventory management, sales tracking, and working capital loans. Through its rapid growth, Packworks has connected small store owners with wholesalers, distributors, and major FMCG companies, contributing to the development of a more efficient and digitized retail ecosystem in the Philippines.
