The Philippine micro-retail sector (sari-sari stores) saw significant growth in 2025 as digital adoption expanded into provincial hubs, with 213,051 stores actively transacting through the Packworks platform, the tech startup reported.
The figure represents a 21 percent increase from 176,000 stores in 2024. Data drawn from over 1 million monthly transactions across more than 300,000 stores highlighted a shift in growth centers away from Metro Manila and toward regional areas.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao led provincial growth with a 116 percent increase in active stores. Supported by improved internet connectivity in the latter half of the year, the region saw app usage rise 77 percent while gross merchandise value (GMV) surged 119 percent and transactions grew 97 percent.
The Negros Island Region also recorded strong gains, with active stores increasing 58 percent and app usage rising 106 percent. The region’s GMV and transactions climbed 134 percent and 114 percent, respectively.
While Metro Manila saw a slight decline in active stores, the capital remained stable as transactions rose 37 percent. App usage in the city grew 15 percent and GMV increased 31 percent, suggesting higher efficiency among existing merchants.
Regional recovery and resilience were evident in Central Visayas, where GMV rose from P131 million in September to P158 million in December following a 6.9-magnitude earthquake. Central Luzon also posted steady gains despite Typhoon Paolo, with GMV climbing from P150 million to P199 million during the same period.
Connectivity challenges persisted in some areas, such as Region XIII (Caraga), where store numbers rose 11 percent but app usage declined 15 percent due to limited 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,” Packworks co-founder Hubert Yap said
