Sari-sari stores boost digital shift as e-wallet use surges nationwide
Sari-sari stores across the Philippines are rapidly digitalizing, driven by a sharp rise in e-wallet use, according to a new report from Filipino tech startup Packworks. The company analyzed internal transaction records and surveyed more than 2,000 sari-sari store owners from its nationwide network of over 300,000 stores from January to August 2025.
Half of the respondents reported a 75 percent increase in e-wallet use during the period. Another 20 percent reported a 100 percent rise, 20 percent saw a 50 percent increase, and 10 percent experienced a 10 percent uptick in usage.
Store owners said the increase comes from growing customer demand. More Filipinos are buying goods, accessing funds, and settling bills at neighborhood stores through e-wallets, driving micro-retailers to keep up with digital transactions.
“Maraming nang nagpapa-cash-in at cash-out at bumibili gamit ang mga e-wallet… Nakakatulong din naman ito sa amin para magkaroon kami ng dagdag kita,” said Marijane Rea, a sari-sari store owner from Laguna.
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Rising e-wallet activity boosts store earnings
About 40 percent of respondents use e-wallets for in-store payments, while 30 percent use them for bill payments and 30 percent for cash-in and cash-out services. Some owners now consider e-wallet earnings a major income source.
Thirteen percent said their e-wallet profits match income from physical goods. Sixty-six percent reported around 20 percent of total revenue came from e-wallet transactions, while 21 percent said digital services accounted for about 10 percent of earnings.
GCash continues to dominate use among store owners at 85 percent, followed by Maya at 15 percent. Store owners also manage multiple e-wallet accounts to handle demand, with some using up to five accounts.
With monthly limits ranging from PHP 100,000 to PHP 500,000 per account, store owners can process up to PHP 3.5 million in transactions monthly. Meanwhile, 30 percent of store owners expressed interest in upgrading to business e-wallet accounts, which offer limits of up to PHP 1 million.
“Bukod sa kita namin sa tindahan, nagkaroon kami ng dagdag kita… meron kaming tubo na PHP 10 hanggang PHP 20 sa pag-cash-in at cash-out,” said Bacolod store owner Rachel Miguel.
Sari-sari stores evolve into digital community hubs
Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show 57 percent of retail transactions in 2024 were cashless, highlighting broader consumer adoption. Packworks said this shift positions sari-sari stores as critical digital service points nationwide.
“The surge in e-wallet use proves that sari-sari stores are rapidly evolving into vital digital hubs… and function as near-frictionless nano-banks for the neighborhoods they serve,” said Packworks Chief Platform Officer Hubert Yap.
Yap stressed the importance of fintech support to help micro-entrepreneurs maximize these opportunities, noting the ability of digital tools to strengthen grassroots businesses.
