Three out of four Filipinos continue to rely on side hustles or extra work to manage finances and cover expenses, according to a report by Worldpanel by Numerator (formerly Worldpanel by Kantar).
The Shopperscope 2025 report showed that many households, which were in deficit a year ago, are now coping better through perseverance and multiple income streams.
The study, which surveyed 2,000 respondents from February to April 2025, classified Filipinos into three categories: “comfortable” (14 percent) who are aAble to afford most things with some limits; “struggling” (11 percent) who are finding it difficult to make ends meet; and “managing” (75 percent) who are sustaining daily needs by combining salaries with side jobs.
This marks a slight increase from 2024, when 73 percent of Filipinos were in the “managing” category.
“Our Shopperscope data indicates a 10-point increase among Filipinos who believe their financial situation will improve in the next 12 months,” said Laurice Obana, Worldpanel by Numerator’s shopper insights director.
“However, respondents remain cautious as they monitor rising grocery and fuel prices,” said Obana.
The report also noted that fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry growth is expected to exceed the 4 percent to 5 percent projection for 2025. As of June 2025, growth stood at 4.5 percent.
Despite the challenges, consumers are weighing quality against cost, resulting in smarter purchasing behavior, Obana said.
The report highlighted several key trends. Staples remain strong, as households continue to buy essential items such as bread, biscuits and powdered detergents.
Products like liquid detergents and ready-to-drink coffee are gaining popularity. Families are allocating funds for items like butter, cosmetics and pet food.
More consumers are opting for products with less sugar and sodium.
The report also found that Filipinos are visiting more stores more frequently. Brands available in at least five channels saw a 66-percent growth, compared to 56 percent for brands limited to one or two channels.
