Learn About The Filipino Sari-Sari Store

A Filipino sari-sari store is basically a small retail store. This is one of the culture here in Philippines where every community has a small retail store where the people can buy all sorts of basic necessities. It is also said to be one of the best and easiest business to manage in the Philippines. Instead of going to the grocery stores, the whole neighborhood will only buy from the nearest store. Here in the sari-sari store, you can buy variety of goods and items in a single sachet.

It is believed that the first sari-sari stores started way back 500 years ago. It started during the Spanish colonization in the Philippines. The Chinese were one of the biggest factors into the development of sari-sari stores because several Chinese put up different roadside stalls to sell different items even during the Spanish times. Filipinos were not business-minded in the old days but those Filipinos who married Chinese have started a business and this is also why the Chinese enterprise is widespread in the Philippines.

Sari-Sari store also means "variety" referring to different goods sold in the store like candies, detergent, toothpaste, beverage, biscuits and even mobile e-loading. The reason why most Filipinos buy in the sari-sari store is because we can buy single sachets whereas in grocery or convenient store we have to buy them bulk. Another thing why Filipinos love the sari-sari store is because we can purchase an item and then pay later. In short, we can avail debt for the goods we want to buy if ever we don't have money and we will pay on the said promised date. Most often, sari-sari store owners are in trouble when the person who availed the credit failed to pay on the exact date. This is sometimes due to being negligent and it's up to you if you will let your goods left unpaid for a long time.

Sari-Sari stores are very beneficial to the people living in the secluded or far away places where the city is very far. It will saved the people from spending too much on transportation and not only that, the goods can be purchased at an affordable price. Sari-sari stores are also a place for social hangouts. There are wooden tables and benches found outside the store where the buyers can temporarily stay while having some snacks and refreshments. Especially for the people walking on the streets and need to buy something in a hurry, sari-sari stores are the lifesaver.

The only downside from every sari-sari stores here in Philippines is that they are located very close to each other so there's a competition. If you sell higher than your neighbor's store, buyers will only pass by in your store. If you will also sell lower than than your neighbors' prices, buyers will choose your store. However, you have to evaluate if you will have a good profit. So this is the problem with putting up a sari-sari store in the Philippines. There are too many stores found in every street.

Sari-Sari stores are part of Filipino culture and this is the business that doesn't require a big capital amount and it's also easy to manage. This is a good business for people who are always at home. I have heard a lot of success stories from the sari-sari stores where the parents are able to finish their children in college. It is very inspiring to hear a lot of success stories from the sari-sari stores. This small retail store is vital in Filipinos life, it sense our psyche of buying tingi or sachets and a sense of community lifeline.

September 21, 2022

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