Top News

The long-held retail belief in the Philippines that "bigger is better" is being reshaped as consumers increasingly seek speed, convenience, and accessibility in their shopping experiences. Small-format stores, including neighborhood supermarkets, mini-marts, and convenience stores, have become key players in meeting these demands.

The National Food Authority (NFA), a government agency under the Department of Agriculture, made significant strides in 2024, achieving its highest rice buffer stocks in years, improving its operations, and significantly reducing its deficit despite facing challenges stemming from a leadership change and an ongoing Ombudsman investigation.

The online retailing platform Lazada recently turned 13 and Context.ph sat down with Alvin Ching who heads its Philippine selling operations. This interview is conducted against a background of consumption activities across the country averaging P2.48 trillion from 2000 until 2024, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. Consumption hit a record high of P4.62 trillion in the fourth quarter last year alone, based on the same data set.

Business sentiment in the Philippines took a hit in the first quarter of 2025, as the overall confidence index (CI) plunged to 31.2 percent from 44.5 percent in the previous quarter, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles on Wednesday night, fueling inflation concerns that weighed on financial markets. After market...