Unilab shifts retail focus towards preventive wellness

Filipino shoppers are prioritising immunity energy and mental health as demand moves beyond treatment towards everyday wellness.

Health and wellness retailers are seeing broader demand across everyday categories as shoppers look beyond medicines for products that support daily wellbeing.

In an interview during the National Retail Conference and Expo last August 6, 2026, Marvin Marañon, Trade Marketing Head at Unilab, said the shift accelerated after the pandemic. “Consumers now prioritise more on proactive wellness and basically preventive over just treating sickness,” he said.

Product preferences are also changing. Marañon said consumers increasingly seek natural, science-backed and convenient products, alongside solutions addressing mental health and sleep and those using trusted traditional ingredients.

For health and wellness retailers, Marañon sees opportunities in affordable and accessible products, online sales and personalised solutions suited to Filipino consumers. Unilab is focusing on products tailored to local needs as wellness spending broadens beyond treating illness towards prevention and everyday health management.