DigiCon 2024: how sari-sari stores can thrive in the digital economy

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — As the backbone of the Philippines’ retail economy, over 1.3 million sari-sari stores are now at the heart of the country’s digital transformation, a key driver for sustained economic growth.

This critical shift will take center stage when Packworks, a Filipino startup that offers a business-to-business (B2B) FMCG marketplace for sari-sari stores, and boutique consultancy firm dGT.asia lead the discussion at the annual Digital Congress (DigiCon,) organized by the Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP) from October 15 to 16 at Newport City, Metro Manila.

Packworks Co-founder and Chief Platform Officer Hubert Yap, Packworks Chief Data Officer Andoy Montiel, and dGT.asia Managing Partner Micole Bautista will participate in the panel discussion, “The distribution business evolution down to the sari-sari store,” under the event track “From Digital Transformation to Business Evolution.” The session will highlight the growing role of technology in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) trade and explore how it can empower sari-sari stores to thrive in a digital economy.

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The Philippines’ digital transformation is capable of unlocking up to PHP 5 trillion in annual economic value by 2030. However, low digital adoption among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which comprise most of the country’s businesses, remains a significant barrier. The panel will emphasize the urgency of digital inclusion for micro-retailers like sari-sari stores, which supply daily essentials to approximately 94% of Filipinos.

With over two decades of retail experience, Hubert has long advocated for inclusive digital transformation in the Philippines. His vision is to democratize access to technology for underserved micro-retailers.

“Our mission has always been to drive inclusive digital transformation that empowers the most vital yet underserved segment of the retail ecosystem. We are excited to amplify this mission at DigiCon 2024 and showcase how technology can revolutionize sari-sari stores, bridging the digital gap in the Philippines and driving economic progress across communities,” said Hubert.

Andoy brings 20 years of experience in the information technology (IT) sector, overseeing Packworks’ data-driven platform, including the Sari IQ business tool, which allows retailers and multinational brands to gain deep visibility into sari-sari store operations, optimizing their product distribution and unlocking new customer opportunities.

Micole, a customer leadership expert, has designed programs for leading brands across Asia, Australia, Western Europe, and the US. With extensive experience in sales, marketing, and HR across FMCG and other key industries, he uses his expertise to help businesses achieve rapid digital transformation through dGT.asia.

Packworks has been at the forefront of providing sari-sari stores with accessible technology tools to enhance their daily operations. Through the Packworks platform, over 270,000 micro-retail stores are able to digitize tasks such as pricing, inventory management, and revenue tracking. These stores also gain access to working capital loans and benefit from discounted products offered by partner FMCG companies. With 75% of sari-sari stores owned by women, Packworks is committed to empowering female entrepreneurs, helping them scale their businesses and increase income.

With this year’s theme, “REVOLUTION,” DigiCon 2024 will gather over 2,000 participants, including global and local industry experts, thought leaders, and technology pioneers. Attendees from across marketing, advertising, business, academia, media, and innovation sectors will come together to explore the latest advancements and strategies for thriving in a rapidly digitizing world.