Filipinos’ monthly spending at sari-sari stores dropped to its lowest in two years, averaging P689 in 2024 despite easing inflation, according to the latest study revealed by tech startup Packworks.
Based on the study conducted through its mobile sari-sari store app and business intelligence tool Sari IQ, the average basket size steadily declined from P800 in 2022 to P781 in 2023, reaching a low point last year.
The trend persisted even as inflation rate softened to 3.2 percent in 2024, the lowest in four years.
“Even with lower inflation, consumers are stretching their budgets by buying only what they need immediately, rather than stocking up,” said Packworks chief data officer Andoy Montiel.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that inflation eased further to 1.4 percent in April 2025, the lowest in over five years.
The Ilocos Region saw the sharpest spending drop of 31 percent, with an average monthly basket size of P570, despite having the lowest annual inflation rate of 2.1 percent.