Growsari: Digitizing Sari-Sari Stores in the Philippines

A rising B2B Commerce star in Southeast Asia

In the Philippines, small neighborhood convenience shops called Sari-Sari stores are far more common than supermarkets and large retailers across the country. They are a core part of the Philippines’ retail ecosystem with the 1.1 million Sari-Sari stores nationwide driving 60% of all FMCG sales in the country. They are usually operated from home by a family as a source of livelihood, and offer everyday necessities to the local community. Family members take turns to replenish inventory from local supermarkets, which means that despite their importance, sari-sari stores operate with limited technology and efficiency.

In 2016, Growsari was launched as a B2B tech-enabled platform helping these Sari-Sari stores transform their business from simple FMCG outlets to comprehensive service hubs. The company provides these stores with the required infrastructure and digital tools and enhances their efficiency through a wide range of products and value-added services. Beside Sari-Sari stores, it also services roadside and market shops called carinderia as well as pharmacies.

Growsari was founded in 2016 by Andrzej Ogonowski, ER Rollan, Shiv Choudhury, and Siddhartha Kongara and is headquartered in Manila. The company is backed by…