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In Focus: Spending Under Pressure (March 2026)
Inflation in the Philippines jumped to 4.1% in March 2026, a sharp increase from 2.4% the month before. What stands out isn’t just the rise, but how quickly it happened—especially after things seemed to be easing earlier in the year.
The increase is largely driven by essential categories—particularly transport, along with food and housing—making the impact more immediate and difficult for consumers to avoid, as these are non-negotiable expenses. With price increases concentrated in non-discretionary spending, households are not cutting back entirely but are instead losing flexibility in how they allocate their income.
Over time, this adds up. Money simply doesn’t go as far as it used to. Even if income hasn’t changed, what it can actually buy has shrunk. Using long term reference, ₱100 in 2018 now has the buying power of roughly ₱75 today. This leads to more subtle consumer adjustments— instead of big, visible cutbacks, the shift shows up in smaller, everyday decisions. This typically translates to buying fewer non-essential items, opting for smaller purchases, and becoming more price-conscious.
Labor market dynamics add another layer of pressure. While overall employment remains stable on paper, its composition has shifted. There has been a notable decline in wage and salary jobs, alongside a rise in self-employment and unpaid work. This shift toward more irregular income sources reduces income predictability and reinforces more cautious spending behavior.
These trends are already visible in retail. Consumers are still spending, but more selectively—waiting for promotions, switching brands, and focusing on value. Discount retailers are benefiting from this shift, while traditional supermarkets are experiencing slower growth despite steady foot traffic.
Overall, the environment reflects a shift toward more disciplined consumption. Demand remains present, but with less flexibility, making value, pricing, and format positioning increasingly critical for retail performance.
Download full article: https://web.tresorit.com/l/EPprA#yjXM3pQUIEqFn2CbRBOXAQ
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Retail Update: Beyond Robinsons – Landers, and Shopwise Signal a Shift in Supermarket Store Concepts
Following the recently reported revamp of Robinsons Supermarket Galleria, other supermarket operators have also introduced store developments in December 2025, including the opening of Landers Aseana and the relaunch of Shopwise Commonwealth. Together, these moves signal that transformation is underway across the Philippine grocery sector.
Major supermarket operators are rethinking store formats as consumer expectations shift toward convenience, experience, and multi-purpose retail environments.
At Robinsons Supermarket Galleria, the revamp reflects a move toward a wellness-led, experience-oriented supermarket format. The revamped store integrates dining areas, ready-to-eat sections, and curated selections of both local and international products. The branch also pilots a hybrid cashier system in which staff scan items while customers input cash into automated machines that dispense change—improving checkout efficiency while reducing shrinkage risks. The initiative forms part of Robinsons’ broader modernization program, which includes plans to renovate nine more supermarkets nationwide.
Other retailers are also upgrading their store concepts.
At Landers Aseana, the company’s 16th store, the warehouse club concept is further refined through improved store navigation, wider aisles, and a more structured merchandising layout. The branch benefits from its strategic location within a rapidly developing district surrounded by residential communities, offices, and entertainment hubs. The store features wider aisles, improved sightlines, and a more organized environment. Beyond bulk grocery retail, Landers strengthens its membership ecosystem through integrated services such as cafés, dining spaces, grooming services, and pharmacy offerings.
Meanwhile, Shopwise Commonwealth has also undergone a store relaunch, reflecting efforts to modernize the brand’s supermarket format. Shopwise currently operates 16 stores nationwide, with Robinsons Retail planning to introduce a large-format Shopwise “big-box” concept in Cainta, Rizal by 2027. The planned store will span approximately 7,000 square meters, introducing a warehouse-style format designed for high-volume merchandising. At present, Shopwise stores operate without a membership requirement, allowing shoppers to access a broad assortment of global and local products while maintaining the accessibility of a traditional supermarket.
Taken together, these developments point to a broader shift in the Philippine grocery sector: supermarkets are moving beyond purely transactional retail toward integrated store ecosystems that combine grocery shopping with dining, services, and everyday convenience.
For retailers, the direction is clear: supermarkets are no longer just places to replenish essentials—they are evolving into everyday lifestyle destinations designed to encourage longer store visits, deeper engagement, and higher basket sizes.
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DTI Tightens Watch on Prices of Basic Goods Amid Oil Price Surges
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it has intensified monitoring and enforcement efforts to keep prices of basic goods in check amid continued increases in global oil prices.
Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque said the agency is banking on the commitment of manufacturers and retailers to hold off on price increases for basic necessities and prime commodities until at least April 16, with some items expected to remain stable until April 28.
Roque said the agreement was reached following consultations with industry players, as authorities moved to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on consumers.
She added that most essential goods are covered by the arrangement, with several items maintaining current prices through the end of the month.
Weekly monitoring
Roque said the DTI will sustain close coordination with manufacturers and retailers as global market conditions remain volatile.
She said no agreement has been reached beyond the current timeline, but the agency will meet with stakeholders weekly or every two weeks given the unusual circumstances.
While there is no fixed cap on potential price adjustments, she said the goal is to keep any increases at a minimum.
Focus on enforcement
The DTI said monitoring and enforcement efforts are focused on supermarkets and grocery stores to ensure compliance with suggested retail prices.
Roque said inspections are being conducted in these establishments, where the agency has enforcement authority.
The agency also committed to promptly informing the public should any price adjustments occur.
Supply remains stable
Despite global pressures, the DTI said supply remains sufficient.
Roque said there are currently no issues on the supply side, even as oil prices continue to rise.
She added that government programs are in place to support small businesses, while economic activity remains steady, including trade events and online selling.
Original Article: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/981882/dti-tightens-watch-on-prices-of-basic-goods-amid-oil-price-surges/story/
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Jollibee Now Offers ‘Eat Now, Pay Later’ Option
Fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corporation has introduced a new, more flexible way for customers to enjoy their favorite meals—paying later.
In partnership with Atome Philippines, the brand officially launched its “Eat Now, Pay Later” option at its Jollibee BGC Triangle Drive branch. The launch was led by Reynaldo Gabunada Jr., Head of Jollibee Philippines’ Regional Business Unit and National Key Accounts Group, and Christian Eugene Quiros, President and General Manager of Atome Philippines.
“EAT NOW, PAY LATER – pwede na sa Jollibee!”
With the new offering, customers can now use their Atome Card in more than 1,300 Jollibee stores nationwide and settle their payments up to 40 days later—with zero interest.
“Now, you can use your Atome Card in 1,300+ Jollibee stores nationwide and pay up to 40 days later, 0% interest.”
The move reflects a growing trend among retailers and service providers to adopt “buy now, pay later” solutions, giving consumers more flexibility in managing their expenses.
“Tara, Jollibee na, Atome cardholders! ”
As digital payment options continue to evolve, this partnership signals Jollibee’s push to make dining more convenient and accessible for its customers across the country.
Original article: https://www.advocatesomi.com/2026/jollibee-now-offers-eat-now-pay-later-option
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Inside Robinsons Supermarket’s Experience-Led Transformation
Philippine grocery retail is entering a structural shift. Price and assortment alone are no longer sufficient to sustain competitiveness. Consumers now expect convenience, wellness integration, and a more experience-led environment — without abandoning value sensitivity.
In December, Robinsons Supermarket relaunched two major branches: Nuvali and Galleria — with Galleria positioned as the largest branch, according to Robinsons Supermarket Group General Manager Kerwin L. Legarde. More recently, the company unveiled its third revamped location at Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City.
With more than 157 stores nationwide and nine additional renovations planned this year, the direction is clear: this is not a single-store refresh. It is a network-level format recalibration.
The revamped branches reflect a structural shift from transactional grocery to accessible, experience-led supermarket. Layout enhancements improve zoning clarity and shopper flow. Dining integration extends trip purpose beyond replenishment. Fresh and minimally processed categories reinforce wellness positioning. Curated global assortments and premium visual cues elevate perception without altering core pricing architecture.
Operationally, modernization remains disciplined. The hybrid cashier-assisted cash automation system improves efficiency while managing shrink and capital expenditure — signaling pragmatic innovation rather than high-risk tech deployment.
Strategically, three signals emerge.
First, experience is being used to enhance perceived value while protecting middle-market positioning. Second, wellness is embedded structurally within assortment and layout — not treated as a merchandising add-on. Third, the confirmed expansion to nine more stores suggests economic confidence in the model’s replicability.
For retailers observing the market, the implication is clear: format evolution must balance experience with operational control. Dining zones, premium cues, and layout upgrades must translate into productivity. Private labels must protect margin. And transformation must scale sustainably.
If executed consistently across its broader network, Robinsons Supermarket may be establishing a new baseline for mainstream grocery retail in the Philippines — one defined not by price alone, but by intelligent, disciplined format modernization at scale.
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Gokongwei Firms Partner to Build New Warehouse-Style Shopwise in Rizal
Robinsons Logistix and Industrials, Inc. (RLX), the wholly owned logistics and industrial arm of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), has diversified into the development and construction of “big box” retail facilities.
RLC disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange that RLX has been tapped by sister company Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. for Shopwise supermarket’s “big box” facility located at its Sierra Valley Destination Estate in Cainta, Rizal.
Known for its Grade A logistic facilities, RLX has now ventured into the development and construction of this new format to drive organic growth and synergy within Robinsons Land’s ecosystem.
Shopwise’s “big box” will be constructed on a total land area of over 7,000 square meters with a gross leasable area of 5,000 square meters.
This development is set for completion within the first half of 2027, with the store targeted to open by third quarter of the same year.
“Designed to serve both the growing local community and visitors to the estate on Ortigas Avenue Extension, this project reinforces RLX’s role as a builder of scalable, high-impact retail infrastructure,” said RLC Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager for RLX Cora Ang Ley.
She added that, this development also reflects Robinsons Land’s push into new standalone formats that complement its established portfolio and broaden recurring income streams.
Shopwise Sierra Valley follows the “big box” concept, a format defined not simply by size, but by function. Globally associated with warehouse-inspired retail models such as Walmart, Costco, Carrefour and Aldi, big box stores are designed for high-volume, high-efficiency operations and value-forward merchandising.
Larger than the standard Philippine supermarket, the format supports bulk purchases and everyday value, making it especially relevant to expanding middle-income households and small business owners.
With Shopwise Sierra Valley, RLX and Robinsons Land reaffirm how Filipino-built brands can help shape modern retail landscapes—serving communities while driving sustainable growth.
“This development will serve real needs, strengthen communities and create more opportunities for growth for years to come,” said Ang Ley.
Original Article: Manila Bulletin – Gokongwei firms partner to build new warehouse-style Shopwise in Rizal
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Philippines’ Pet Boom Becomes Big Business for Robinsons Retail
Southeast Asia’s most pet-obsessed market is becoming a growth engine for businesses, and the Gokongwei family-led Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. is ready to cash in on the boom.
The listed retailer, which owns supermarkets, pharmacies and specialty brands, said households continue to cut back on non-essential spending—but not on their fur buddies.
“It’s an outlier,” Stanley Co, president and CEO of RRHI, told InsiderPH.
A recent Kantar Media study revealed that 94 percent of Filipino households owned a pet in 2024, which was the highest in Southeast Asia. Co said they’re seeing this in financial results as well.
“A sack of dog food is actually more expensive than a sack of rice,” Co said.
“They also spend on grooming and veterinary services,” he added.
Expansion push
RRHI is doubling down on the trend with plans to open five more branches of its Pet Lovers, which sells pet supplies and grooming and vet services in select branches.
This adds to their existing 12 branches.
Where store presence is limited, the firm will reach customers directly through mobile grooming, which is expected to be launched within 2026.
“We’re going to work with partners for this year,” Co explained.
Outlook and consumer trends
The broader business will continue to grow underpinned by essential spending.
“The non-discretionary, the supermarket, the drugstore, which is 80% of our business, we will continue to grow,” Co said.
He expects business to pick up especially moving into the second half of 2026.
“We’re cautiously optimistic,” he said.
Original Article: https://insiderph.com/philippines-pet-boom-becomes-big-business-for-robinsons-retail
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Compose Coffee Enters PH, Heats Up Value Coffee Wars
Jollibee Foods Corp. is raising the competitive temperature in the Philippines’ fast-expanding value coffee market, announcing plans to launch South Korea’s Compose Coffee in 2026.
Through its subsidiary Fresh N’ Famous Foods Inc., the group signed a master franchise agreement to introduce the brand locally — a move that positions Jollibee to directly compete in one of the most crowded and price-sensitive segments of the food and beverage industry.
Why this matters
The local coffee landscape has evolved into a battleground of brands racing to scale through compact stores, efficient operations, and aggressive pricing.
Compose Coffee enters with a playbook built for exactly that environment.
Founded in 2014, the South Korean chain has grown to more than 3,000 stores, backed by a highly efficient and scalable operating model. Its core menu of Americanos and flavored lattes caters to everyday coffee drinkers, while Korean-inspired offerings keep the lineup differentiated.
In its home market, Compose Coffee is recognized as the No. 1 coffee brand in customer satisfaction — a credential that could resonate strongly with Filipino consumers increasingly seeking quality at accessible price points.
Built for scale
According to a company statement, a core pillar of Compose Coffee is its advanced smart roasting system, enabling precise control from bean selection to roasting profiles and flavor consistency across its network.
That operational discipline, combined with strong branding — including a high-profile partnership with V of BTS — has helped the brand build both mass appeal and cultural relevance in South Korea.
Such attributes could prove decisive in the Philippines, where competition hinges not just on price but on consistency, brand pull, and the ability to expand quickly without compromising quality.
What they’re saying
Jollibee Group Philippines chief executive officer Joseph Tanbuntiong said: “We are extremely excited to introduce Compose Coffee to the Philippines this 2026, aligned with its mission of making high-quality coffee more accessible to consumers.”
“This planned launch strengthens one of our key strategic growth pillars—the coffee and tea segment—and positions the Jollibee Group to play a more meaningful role in our customers’ daily routines. We look forward to bringing more moments of joy to Filipinos through innovative, world-class beverage experiences.”
Richard Shin, chief financial and risk officer and CEO of Jollibee Group International, added: “Compose Coffee’s entry into the Philippines reflects the Jollibee Group’s commitment to scaling brands with strong global potential. In every market where it operates, we’ve seen a disciplined operating model and deep focus on product quality that creates a repeatable formula for growth.”
“We’re excited to bring that momentum to the Philippines and introduce more consumers to a brand that delivers both excellence and accessibility in every cup.”
The bottom line
Compose Coffee is expected to complement Jollibee Group Philippines’ portfolio — but its arrival also signals a sharper, more intense phase of competition in the country’s value-driven coffee wars.
Original Article: https://insiderph.com/compose-coffee-enters-ph-heats-up-value-coffee-wars
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Ayala to Open First Two Spinneys Stores in Manila This Year
ACX Holdings Corp., the retail arm of Ayala Corp., plans to open its first two Spinneys supermarkets in the fourth quarter of 2026, marking the United Arab Emirates-based chain’s first expansion outside the Gulf region.
The initial branches will be located at Ayala Malls U.P. Town Center in Quezon City and San Antonio Plaza Arcade in Makati. These openings are part of a broader strategic rollout that aims to establish 12 stores in Metro Manila over the next four years.
The expansion follows a joint venture agreement signed in September 2025, in which Ayala holds a 60 percent stake and Spinneys owns the remaining 40 percent.
By introducing the Dubai-based brand, the conglomerate is positioning its mall developments to offer a highly differentiated grocery experience that emphasizes global sourcing and artisanal products.
Mariana Zobel de Ayala, managing director of Ayala Corp. and head of leasing and hospitality at Ayala Land Inc., described the brand as a significant addition to the local market.
She noted that premium retail is increasingly defined by curation and service rather than mere inventory.
The entry of Spinneys is intended to provide a new dimension to local grocery shopping, reflecting the sophisticated preferences of Filipino consumers who are increasingly exposed to international retail standards through travel.
The partnership also leverages a long-standing demographic link between the two regions. Spinneys currently employs more than 1,300 Filipinos across its operations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Executives noted that the venture creates a pathway for these overseas workers to return to the Philippines and apply their expertise within the local industry.
Ayala Malls Chief Operating Officer Paul Birkett, who previously worked in Dubai, said the goal is to bring a “best-in-class” model to the Philippines. The stores will feature contemporary layouts and a service model designed to be seamless and engaging, blending imported goods with private-label products tailored to local tastes.
Beyond groceries, the stores will offer discovery-led experiences, including in-store education on nutrition and cooking. This lifestyle-oriented approach is part of Ayala’s wider strategy to refresh its retail portfolio, which recently included partnerships with Thailand’s CP Axtra for Makro and Australia’s Anko.
Original Article: https://mb.com.ph/2026/01/30/ayala-to-open-first-two-spinneys-stores-in-manila-this-year
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