Insider Spotlight
The initiative ran from May 21 to June 20 as rising utility bills and higher ingredient prices continued to squeeze margins for small food businesses. According to Grab Philippines, two in three participating merchants recorded higher order volumes during the campaign, with most posting double-digit growth.
Merchants that expanded saw average order growth of about 30 percent, while the fastest-growing partners registered increases ranging from 145 percent to 158 percent.
Why it matters
The campaign highlights how platform companies are moving beyond digital marketplaces by providing direct commercial support to small businesses grappling with persistent inflation and operating cost pressures.
“It’s easy to be a partner when times are good,” Grab Philippines chief commercial officer EJ dela Vega said in a press statement.
“But with utility and ingredient costs spiking, the daily math just wasn't making sense for our local merchants. They didn't need business advice; they needed actual orders and protected margins. By shouldering the cost of demand-boosting initiatives and providing a concentrated lifeline for those hit hardest, our goal was simple: help them keep their doors open,” he added.
Independent restaurant operators said the initiative provided much-needed financial relief while helping improve customer visibility on the platform.
“The rising price of ingredients, especially meat, makes it costly to join discount promos all the time,” Harley's Boulevard Motor Cafe owner Joy Couture said.
“Having Grab absorb the cost of this promo was a big help. It boosted our brand's visibility on the app and helped improve our sales over the past month.”
The bigger picture
Beyond the promotional campaign, Grab Philippines also introduced debt relief measures for severely affected merchant-partners, including alternative payment arrangements and loan holidays for eligible borrowers with existing cash loans.
The company said it continues to expand its Grab Asenso: Digital Diskarte Program, which offers MSMEs training on AI, digital marketing and financial management through partnerships with local government units. It also continues to promote Grab In-Store Solutions+, enabling merchants to digitize payments and manage promotions for dine-in customers.
Although the campaign has ended, Grab said it remains prepared to deploy targeted support as economic conditions evolve, building on previous assistance programs such as its P350-million Bayanihan Fund for drivers during earlier fuel price shocks. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
