Sari-sari stores to get discount from manufacturers

Consumers can now buy basic goods and necessities within or lower than the suggested retail prices (SRP) at sari-sari stores following the launch of the Department of Trade and Industry’s program allowing stores to get products from manufacturers at discounted prices. Through DTI Suking Tindahan: Sulit at Risonableng Presyo program, consumers can be assured of access to reasonably priced basic necessities and prime commodities even at

sari-sari stores. The DTI said the program links sarisari stores to manufacturers or authorized distributors who can give the basic and prime goods at discounted rates.

With the discounted rates, sari-sari stores can sell goods within or below the SRP.

The program is open to sari-sari stores, wholesalers and cooperatives willing to sell basic and prime goods within or lower than the SRP.

To be part of the program, the store or cooperative must be a fully-registered business in existence for at least one year and have a minimum financial capitalization of P100,000. Among the first tranche of participating

sari-sari stores are Noel & Jenny Sari-Sari Store, Francing Store, and Lacson Grocery all at the public market in Marikina City; Bea Brain Josh Store and Ingrid Store in Quezon City; Edison Sari-Sari Store in Navotas City; Centennial Village Multi-Purposes Coop in Taguig, and Four E General Merchandise in Manila.

“The DTI Suking Tindahan program was conceived by Secretary Ramon Lopez to heed the call of consumers for reasonablypriced basic and prime goods to be made available at their neighborhood sari-sari stores,” Ruth Castelo, DTI undersecretary for consumer protection group said.