Women in the Philippines dominate the ownership of sari-sari stores, the small retail shops that sell a range of consumer goods and make up a significant portion of the grassroots economy, according to a recent study by Packworks and Fourth Wall.
Data from Packworks’ business intelligence tool, Sari IQ, shows that out of thousands of sari-sari stores analyzed, 75% are owned by women. This puts Filipinas in a position to make a significant impact on the country’s economic life, as sari-sari stores account for approximately 70% of manufactured goods transactions.
According to Andres Montiel, Packworks’ head of data, this highlights the crucial role of women in the grassroots economy of the Philippines. However, Montiel adds that institutions must empower women by providing skills training initiatives to ensure they can fully participate in the country’s economic growth.
