Manila: Filipino consumers have tightened their belts to be able to handle price upticks due to the effects of the Middle East crisis on fuel and other commodities, and have diversified shopping options to get the best offer.
According to Philippines News Agency, a survey by Worldpanel by Numerator in the first four months of this year, titled 'Shopperscope 2026,' revealed how Filipinos consider their financial situation before the Middle East conflict and during the ongoing war. The survey results, released Friday, indicated that consumers foresee a worsening of both their financial and socio-economic outlook in the next 12 months.
During the pre-conflict period, approximately 49 percent of respondents believed their household financial outlook in the next year 'will stay the same,' but this figure dropped to 34 percent with the onset of the war. Initially, 14 percent anticipated that their situation 'will greatly improve,' with 32 percent predicting it 'will somewhat improve,' 4 percent expecting it 'will somewhat worsen,' and 1 percent foreseeing it 'will greatly worsen.'
As the war continues, 11 percent now believe their household financial situation 'will greatly improve,' 24 percent expect it 'will somewhat improve,' 25 percent feel it 'will somewhat worsen,' and 6 percent predict it 'will greatly worsen.' Laurice Obana, Shopper Insights Director at Worldpanel by Numerator, noted the decline in the situation during a briefing, following an improvement last year. "Although the direct impact may vary, Filipino households are feeling intensified pressure by ongoing global challenges," she stated.
Unlike past trends where shoppers primarily relied on a few supermarkets for in-home spending, current patterns show consumers exploring other options like online stores to secure discounts and promotions. Sari-sari stores, or community stores, continue to be popular among respondents, accounting for 41 percent of total purchases in the second quarter of this year, up 3 percent annually or compared to the second quarter of 2025.
The share of those buying from supermarkets and hypermarkets remains at 26 percent, with market stalls steady at 7 percent. However, purchases from groceries and drugstores have both declined by 7 percent to 6 percent and 3 percent of the total, respectively. A significant increase was seen among those buying from discounters like Dali and O! Save, up 44 percent, now representing 3 percent of the total. Online shops rose by 9 percent to 1 percent of the total, and convenience stores grew by 12 percent to also account for 1 percent of the total.
"Retailers can no longer rely on old habits to attract shoppers. It is important to understand how and why Filipinos choose where they buy their essentials. While proximity is key, shoppers also place important considerations on the completeness of assortment or product range, as well as value delivery in these trying times," Obana added.
