Sari Sari Store

A sari-sari is a local version of a modern convenience store in the Philippines. The word Sari means variety or many. Like the word says, Sari-sari stores are found everywhere in the Philippines. Unlike 7 11 or Mini Stop franchise stores, Sari-sari stores are privately owned and often are an annex of the house rather than a separate building.

Since not all communities have a access to big shopping malls or modern types of convenience stores, Sari-sari stores are essential to local people's life. Just like 7/11, things sold in Sari-sari stores come in small sizes. Single serving shampoo or tourist size soap are found here. Instead of buying one pack of cigarette, people often buy one or two sticks of cigarette for small change.

Each store has a tiny window which is just big enough for the vendors to hand out what customers buy. For protection measure, iron bars are used for most Sari-sari stores.