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The data, drawn from over one million monthly transactions across more than 300,000 stores, show 213,051 active transacting stores in 2025, up 21 percent from 2024 and continuing a sharp rise from 2023 levels.
Packworks is a Filipino startup providing a low-bandwidth, easy-to-use B2B platform that helps sari-sari store owners run their businesses more efficiently—bridging small retailers to larger supply chains and expanding digital access across communities.
Why it matters
The findings signal a structural shift in micro-retail, where growth is no longer concentrated in Metro Manila. Instead, regional economies are becoming key demand drivers, supported by improving digital and internet infrastructure.
By the numbers
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)-led nationwide expansion with a 116 percent increase in active stores, alongside a 77 percent rise in app usage, 119 percent growth in gross merchandise value, and a 97 percent jump in transactions.
Negros Island Region followed with a 58 percent increase in stores, while app usage surged 106 percent and both sales and transactions grew by over 100 percent.
"We are seeing a trend where regional economies are becoming the new centers of growth for the sari-sari store sector. While Metro Manila remains a stable core, seeing a 37 percent increase in transactions, the rapid growth in regions such as BARMM and Negros suggests that regional store owners are quickly adopting tools to serve a much larger customer base," Andoy Montiel, Packworks chief data officer, said in a press statement on March 31, 2026.
Zoom in
Metro Manila showed a “quality over quantity” trend. While store count dipped slightly, efficiency improved, with app usage up 15 percent, sales up 31 percent, and transactions rising 37 percent.
Resilience story
Regional performance also highlights the sector’s durability. Central Visayas rebounded after a major earthquake, while Central Luzon posted steady gains despite typhoon disruptions, with both regions recording rising sales through the year.
The gap
Caraga—composed of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur—saw store growth but declining app usage, pointing to infrastructure gaps, particularly in internet access.
“As store owners in the provinces gain access to more resources, they are proving to be the economic backbone of their communities. The surge in the regions shows that sari-sari stores are not just local fixtures, but are evolving businesses capable of driving regional economic momentum," said Packworks co-founder Hubert Yap. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
