PROVINCES have surpassed Metro Manila in retail store expansion and transaction activity, according to a study by technology platform PackWorks said on Tuesday.
The company provides sari-sari stores with easy-to-use apps to track sales, manage inventory, and manage transactions.
It reported that 213,051 stores from its network actively transacted through its Sari.PH Pro app in 2025, a 21-percent increase from 176,000 in 2024 and a jump from 133,000 in 2023.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Negros Island Region (NIR) are the primary drivers of the surge, said PackWorks.
BARMM recorded a 116-percent increase in active stores, a 77-percent rise in app usage, a 119-percent boost in gross merchandise value (GMV) or store sales, and a 97-percent rise in transactions.
“Growth was particularly sharp in the second half of 2025, following the rollout of regional internet connectivity projects,” Packworks said.
Negros Island saw a 58-percent increase in active stores. Sari.PH Pro app usage expanded 106 percent, while GMV and transactions surged by 134 percent and 114 percent, respectively.
“We are seeing a trend where regional economies are becoming the new centers of growth for the sari-sari store sector. While Metro Manila remains a stable core, seeing a 37-percent increase in transactions, the rapid growth in BARMM and Negros suggests that regional store owners are quickly adopting tools to serve a much larger customer base,” Packworks chief data officer Andy Montiel said.
While the total number of transacting stores saw a slight decline, the remaining stores became significantly more efficient, PackWorks said.
The study also highlighted how this regional growth translates to community resilience.
“Central Visayas demonstrated a strong recovery following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30,” Packworks said.
Overall GMV of Central Visayas rose by 7 percent, from nearly P131 million in September to almost P140 million in October, before reaching a high of P158 million in December.
Meanwhile, for Central Luzon, despite being hit by Typhoon Paolo in October 2025, stores saw a 15-percent GMV increase, rising from P150 million in September to P172 million in October, and peaking at P199 million by December during the holiday season.
“These consistent increases reinforce findings from Packworks‘ previous report, which highlight the historical resilience and continued growth of sari-sari stores as essential lifelines even in disaster-prone regions,” the company said.
It also noted areas for further support.
Region 13 (Caraga) saw an 11-percent growth in the number of stores but also a 15-percent decline in Sari.PH Pro app usage, likely due to the region‘s current internet penetration levels, marking an opportunity for future infrastructure development.
“As store owners in the provinces gain access to more resources, they are proving to be the economic backbone of their communities. The surge in the regions shows that sari-sari stores are not just local fixtures, but are evolving businesses capable of driving regional economic momentum,” said Packworks cofounder Hubert Yap.