What You Need to Know: Mercato Centrale Taps Peddlr to Digitally Empower Food Entrepreneurs

Mercato Centrale has partnered with tech startup Peddlr Philippines Inc. to bring digital transformation to small food businesses across Metro Manila.

The collaboration aims to equip micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with enterprise-grade digital tools to help them streamline operations and scale more efficiently.

Mercato Centrale, known as the country’s leading food business incubator, formalized the partnership with Peddlr on August 1, 2025.

The agreement brings Peddlr’s mobile point-of-sale and business analytics platform into the Mercato ecosystem.

RJ Ledesma, CEO of Mercato Centrale, said the partnership supports the company’s vision to create not just good food vendors, but well-equipped entrepreneurs.

The Peddlr platform includes tools for sales tracking, inventory management, QRPH-enabled cashless payments, and real-time business analytics.

These features were once available only to large-scale enterprises but are now being made accessible to small food stall owners.

Mercato’s General Manager Dan Aguilar said real-time data will help vendors make smarter decisions on pricing, promotions, and profit margins.

The partnership also addresses digital inequality by providing onboarding support and training for vendors who may lack modern devices or tech literacy.

A secure data-sharing framework is being established to connect Mercato with its merchants, allowing more targeted business support.

Peddlr’s Head of Product Kendrick Chan and Go-to-Market Senior Associate Janri Tomioka joined the contract signing ceremony.

The digital rollout is expected to reach hundreds of food entrepreneurs across Mercato’s various locations in Metro Manila.

By integrating Peddlr’s technology, Mercato aims to future-proof its vendor network in a highly competitive food industry.

The partnership is seen as a crucial step in promoting innovation and inclusivity among Philippine food entrepreneurs.

Mercato and Peddlr both share the goal of helping MSMEs grow smarter, more sustainable businesses with the aid of practical digital tools.

This initiative aligns with the country’s broader efforts to support digital adoption among small enterprises.