Today, “sari-sari stores" continue to be common fixtures in every Filipino neighborhood – be it in impoverished or affluent communities. But just like any manifestation of local cultural identity, "sari-sari stores" continue to evolve.It may have at least partly evolved from Chinese trading practices, but “sari-sari stores" soon became completely and totally Filipino. Instead of just being a means to trade goods, “sari-sari stores" also double as a nerve center of social life in some Pinoy communities.But “sari-sari stores" function as a place to socialize as well even in the city.
Some Filipinos are so dependent on their neighborhood “sari-sari stores" that even if they can afford to shop at high-end retail shops, they still prefer to buy their daily needs from their neighborhood “sari-sari store." But is this apparent dependence on “sari-sari stores" a good or a bad thing?
Some say “sari-sari stores" are bad news for it has consequently encouraged the “lista" culture, wherein the average Pinoy gets into debt by borrowing beyond their means.
Some say it could be a good thing because it supposedly triggers small-scale consumer-driven economic activity.Example of this sari sari store is in the picture.This store is own by the Sison family near in the public market. This indicates that sari sari store is very effective in our community although it is common but still it works.THis store was first own by their grand grand "lolo's" and "lola's"
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Most of the products carried by the Sari-Sari stores are packaged in small, single-use packets. These often sell for just a peso or two. You can even buy cigarettes one at a time. The obvious reason for this is that most people here are very poor, and cannot afford to buy in larger volumes. The culture also encourages these single use packets. For example, many people bathe at a communal water source, often outside. (They bathe with their clothes on.) If you were to arrive with a bottle of shampoo, your friends and neighbors would all ask to borrow the use of your shampoo, and your expensive bottle would be used up very quickly. Sharing is very much expected, and to refuse such a request would be a serious matter. By arriving with a small packet of shampoo, there is no problem with sharing.
We shop at the same supermarkets where the Sari-Sari owners buy their supplies. Most things are available in a wide range of sizes, to suit all incomes. Although we generally buy things in the larger bottles, we have noticed that there is seldom any savings by doing so. There is little or no premium to be paid for all the extra packaging that goes into the little packets. Sometimes they are actually cheaper than the equivalent quantity in the largest bottles.
As i experience this kind of business i find it so easy because all you have to do is to entertained the customer and ask them if what they want to buy.I'll tried to be one of the sari sari store vendor beacuse i just want to know if how difficult this kind of business.After i tried,I found out that this kind of business is easy to manage.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sari-sari store
The sari-sari store is an important economic and social location in a Filipino community. It is present in almost all neighborhoods, sometimes even in every street. The word sari-sari is Tagalog for "various kinds". Most sari-sari stores are privately owned shops and are operated inside the shopkeeper's house. Commodities are displayed in a large screen-covered or metal barred window in front of the shop. Candies, canned goods and cigarettes are often displayed while cooking oil, salt and sugar are often stored in sacks or cans. A small window is also present where the customer's requested commodity is given. A cigarette lighter tied to the window can also be found. Benches and sometimes tables are also provided in front of the sari-sari store. A shade is placed above it which is also used to cover the large window when the store closes.
Economic value
The sari-sari store allows members of the community easy access to basic commodities at low costs. In the Philippines, following the concept of tingi, a customer can buy 'units' of the product rather than whole package. For example, one can buy a stick of cigarette for a peso (0.02 US dollars) rather than a whole pack. This is convenient for those who cannot buy the whole package or do not need much of it. The sari-sari store also saves the customer extra transportation costs, especially those in rural areas, since some towns can be very far from the nearest market or grocery. The store also serves as a secondary or even primary source of income for shopkeepers. The owners can buy commodities in bulk in groceries then sell them in the store at a mark-up price. Trucks usually deliver LPG and softdrinks to the store itself. The store requires little investment since the products are cheap and only a few modifications on one side of a house are needed to convert it to a sari-sari store.
Social value
The sari-sari store offers a place where people can meet. The benches provided in front of the store are usually full of men and women. Some men would spend some time drinking while women discuss the latest local news. Youths also use the place to hang out (or istambay; "to hang out", in Filipino). Children would also rest here in the afternoon after playing and buy softdrinks and snacks..
