Record heat drives sales surge in Philippines' sari-sari stores

In Visayas and Mindanao alone, refreshment drink sales hit PHP 64 million.

A new report from tech startup Packworks reveals just how essential sari-sari stores have become during climate shocks, with record-breaking temperatures in the Philippines last year pushing millions to their neighborhood shops for immediate relief.

Through its mobile analytics platform Sari IQ, Packworks found that sales of popular refreshment brands like Sting and Nestea hit PHP 64 million in gross merchandise value (GMV). The strongest spikes came from the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

“In neighborhoods across the country, sari-sari stores are not just convenience outlets. They are lifelines during heat waves,” said Iris Lorenzo, Managing Director of Kadence Philippines.

According to Lorenzo, the proximity of these stores makes them a critical first stop for many residents. “In areas where refrigeration is a luxury and supermarkets are kilometers away, sari-sari stores become vital. They keep going even during brownouts, often using ice chests or small generators, making them more resilient than larger outlets,” she said.

Ibba Bernardo, Chief Marketing Officer at Packworks, echoed this sentiment. “Sari-sari stores are basically the pantry, the refrigerator for the community,” he said. “They know exactly what you need. When it’s hot, they’re hot—they prepare the right products for the right moment.”

This hyper-local responsiveness gives sari-sari stores an edge over modern trade and chain retailers, especially when disruptions strike. For national retailers and brands, this means sari-sari stores are not optional—they are essential. “If you're not in a sari-sari store, you're already at a massive disadvantage,” said Bernardo.

Lorenzo agreed that infrastructure must now evolve to keep pace with demand. “To stay resilient, stores need power solutions like solar kits or battery-backed fridges. They also need digital tools like low-bandwidth POS systems and weather alerts,” she said. “And mobile banking services are crucial when ATMs go down.”