Several sari-sari stores across the country are undergoing a transformation, evolving into mini-marts through a program initiated by business magnate Injap Sia’s grocery chain operator, MerryMart Consumer Corp.
MerryMart marked a new milestone with the inauguration of its 100th MM Wholesale-powered Mini-Mart member.
This initiative facilitates sari-sari stores’ transition into mini-marts while streamlining their grocery inventory procurement through the MM Wholesale App, boasting of over 180,000 registered users.
Sia, drawing from his own entrepreneurial experiences, expressed empathy for sari-sari store owners grappling with the challenges posed by the proliferation of modern branded mini-marts.
“I personally have been an SME provincial entrepreneur not so long ago, and I feel for the sari-sari stores who are struggling to compete with the modern branded mini-marts sprouting around them,” he said.
Sia highlighted the transformation of these sari-sari stores from modest window-based sales to becoming full-fledged grocery mini-marts accessible to their customers. This shift, he said, positions them to not only compete but also thrive, thereby bolstering their household income.
“We have been observing and studying in detail the sari-sari store industry around the country, and we believe that the true longterm solution for these hundreds of thousands of sari-sari stores to thrive is to transform and become a mini-mart,” Sia said.
MerryMart’s vision extends beyond revenue generation, with aspirations to achieve a system-wide annual revenue of P120 billion by 2030.
The group aims to boost its total network to 1,200 branches nationwide within the decade, spanning various formats, including MerryMart Store, MerryMart Market, MerryMart Grocery, MerryMart Delivery, and MerryMart Wholesale.