LUCKY FOOD BOOSTS SARI-SARI STORE SALES DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR

Filipinos are driving up sari-sari store sales with purchases of “lucky” foods ahead of the Chinese New Year, according to a study by Packworks.

Traditional items like hopia, Chinese wine, and Asian noodles, which symbolize unity, prosperity, and longevity, saw significant growth in sales between 2023 and 2025.

Central Visayas, Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas recorded the biggest spikes, reflecting both local Chinese-Filipino communities and cultural traditions.

Beyond symbolic foods, staples like soy sauce, cooking oil, sugar, and chocolates also saw higher demand as part of the Filipino “prosperity basket.”

The trend highlights how sari-sari stores serve as accessible outlets for cultural expression, showing that tradition strongly influences everyday shopping behavior.

Source: PhilNews24 | February 18, 2026