Sari-sari stores across the Philippines are playing a growing role in back-to-school shopping by offering school supplies in “tingi” or small, affordable quantities.
This trend is backed by a recent study from Filipino tech startup Packworks.io, which analyzed over one million monthly sales transactions from more than 300,000 sari-sari stores using its business intelligence tool, Sari IQ.
Store Proximity to Schools Is Increasing
Packworks data shows a 31% rise in the number of sari-sari stores located within 400 meters of schools, growing from 71,000 in 2023 to over 102,000 by mid-2025.
This expansion suggests a strategic shift by micro-retailers to serve school communities directly, particularly in rural areas.
Rural Regions Lead the Growth
The strongest growth in stores near schools came from rural regions, including:
- Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula): +77%
- Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR): +70%
- Region X (Northern Mindanao): +55%
- Region VIII (Eastern Visayas): +52%
- Region VI (Western Visayas): +50%
These areas are not just catching up—they are leading the charge in adapting to educational demand.
School Supply Sales Are Rising—but With a Twist
While sari-sari stores saw a 9% increase in school supply transactions from 2023 to 2024, gross merchandise value (GMV) actually dipped by 3%, from PHP 1.36 million to PHP 1.31 million.
According to Packworks Chief Data Officer Andoy Montiel, this indicates more frequent but smaller purchases—evidence that the “tingi” model is now firmly applied to school supplies.
Sales Peaks Are Aligning with Earlier School Starts
Sales spikes correspond to the earlier start dates of recent school years:
- August 2023: +30% sales increase
- July 2024: +130% spike ahead of July 29 school opening
- June 2025: +71% rise as classes began on June 16
The trend reveals how stores are adjusting their inventories earlier each year.
Top-Selling School Supplies in Sari-Sari Stores
From 2023 to 2024, the most in-demand school products by GMV growth were:
- Pad paper: +74%
- Colored pencil: +74%
- Bond paper: +71%
- Paper glue: +28%
- Correction tape: +23%
These figures suggest parents prioritize essential items in small quantities, reflecting tight household budgets.
Some Regions Are Earning More Per Item Sold
Even as overall GMV fell slightly, specific regions posted strong GMV gains, including:
- Region V (Bicol Region): +381%
- Region X (Northern Mindanao): +256%
- Region II (Cagayan Valley): +120%
- Region VI (Western Visayas): +87%
- Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN): +78%
In the first half of 2025 alone, sari-sari stores generated PHP 795,000 in school supply GMV.
Back-to-School Prep Amid Rainy Season Challenges
Packworks Chief Platform Officer Hubert Yap emphasized that sari-sari stores quickly adapt to seasonal needs, including unexpected delays due to heavy rains.
He credited their success to a deep understanding of community dynamics, allowing stores to meet urgent demand as parents and students rushed to prepare for classes despite weather-related suspensions.
Why This Matters
According to a 2023 WorldRemit study, education-related expenses consume over half of a typical Filipino household’s monthly income.
With their “tingi” model and hyperlocal presence, sari-sari stores offer a lifeline—making school supplies affordable and accessible in neighborhoods nationwide.
What It Means for Brands
Packworks said its findings should encourage school supply brands and education services to partner with sari-sari stores to reach target markets more efficiently.
The data could also guide manufacturers in customizing product sizes and bundles that match community-level buying patterns.
As Montiel puts it, the “tingi” economy has expanded far beyond canned goods and sachets—it now powers the country’s return to classrooms.
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