Philippine 'Ber' Months Arrive, But Supermarket Sales Remain Sluggish Amid Household Budget Squeeze

MANILA, Philippines — The arrival of September marks the start of the Philippines’ famous “Ber” months and the unofficial kickoff to the Christmas season. Still, local supermarkets say the early holiday cheer is not translating into immediate sales. According to Steven Cua, executive director of the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PASA), September through November remain “dry months” for grocery operators, with demand picking up only as December approaches. READ: Competition, enough supplies to keep prices down during ‘ber’ months The sluggish start comes as Filipino households tighten their budgets amid persistent economic pressures. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that household consumption grew by just 2.8% in the second quarter of 2026, its slowest non-pandemic expansion since 2010. While inflation eased to 6.2% in July, the year-to-date average of 5% remains above the government’s target range of 2% to 4%. Despite tighter finances, food and non-alcoholic beverages still dominate spending, accounting for 36.3% of total household consumption. However, shoppers are becoming far more selective, prioritizing value over volume. READ: DTI: No price hikes for basic goods until April 16 To adapt, manufacturers are maintaining smaller, budget-friendly sachets at accessible prices while raising rates on larger packages. In turn, supermarkets are constantly re-evaluating inventory, package sizes, and product mixes based on neighborhood demographics. Retailers are also navigating higher operating costs and rising competition from major expanding chains, discount stores, and smaller neighborhood shops outside Metro Manila. Cua noted that even traditional shopping spikes, such as the All Saints’ Day (Undas) arush, have faded in the capital, as provincial consumers can now buy goods locally rather than stocking up in Manila before traveling. PASA emphasized that success this season will depend on how well retailers adjust pricing and stock levels to actual consumer purchasing power, noting that the true holiday spending surge will only begin once households have sufficient funds to spend. /pai