This Startup's New Data Analytics Tool Gives Retailers a Closer Look at Sari-Sari Stores

Sari-sari stores act as community centers, and with the right tools, they could become the source of essential consumer data. Philippine-based B2B startup Packworks is tapping this resource as it launches Sari IQ, its business intelligence tool that provides data analytics on the behavior and spending habits of consumers who shop at sari-sari stores. That is, essentially, everyone. 

“Sari IQ is the trusted, go-to partner for sari-sari stores that empowers businesses to be on top of their brand's performance and make data-driven decisions every day,” Packworks Chief Data Officer Andres Montiel said.

Launched at the IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022, the Sari IQ dashboard gathers real-time data and pulls up historical information to analyze spending habits per product type. This data, gathered from over 200,000 sari-sari stores in the Packworks network, then informs retailers and multinational brands on how to extend slow-moving products and services to the sari-sari consumer community. With this data analysis, brands can then make data-driven decisions that will benefit the sales of both retailers and sari-sari store owners.

The Sari IQ dashboard has already shown us that in times of natural disasters like typhoons, Filipinos are more likely to purchase self-care and hygiene products over food. And should these trends change, Sari IQ can monitor shifts in consumer spending. 

“The data that Sari IQ can be used as a reference in building inference for marketing strategy, demand planning, and product seasonality,” Montiel explained.

Data analytics is a growing field in the Philippines, but the rapid digitization of companies has shown the need for more data-oriented decisions. Packworks makes this possible for retailers through Sari IQ, and its Super Sari Store app. The startup recently raised $2 million in its last seed funding round.