Filipinos spend an average of P800 for beverages and hygiene products per month in sari sari stores, bulk of which go to alcohol and tobacco.
Packworks business intelligence tool Sari IQ which looked on the spending habits of Filipinos covering nearly 200,000 sari-sari stores nationwide found that cigarettes, alcohol, hygiene products, soda drinks and powdered drinks were the top five essential goods that make up the monthly budget of a regular Filipino household.
“It’s a war amongst cigarettes and liquor, beverages, and hygiene products. While Filipino households continue to prioritize essential goods, it’s apparent that many consumers have formed habits or indulgences that significantly influence their spending decisions,” said Samantha de Guzman, Packworks data product manager.
Sari IQ findings also showed significant variances in spending.
For example, the National Capital Region led the country in consumer spending with an average weekly basket size of P452.32 or P1,809.28 per month.
At large, the study revealed 13 out of the 17 regions in the Philippines spent the most on cigarettes, while three others splurged on alcoholic drinks. Meanwhile, consumers in Zamboanga Peninsula preferred to spend on powdered coffee.
