The COVID-19 pandemic has made almost all businesses vulnerable, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) particularly hit the hardest all over the country. Many companies were forced to stop operations upfront, while some have declared bankruptcy after months of not being able to generate income and stay operational.
The Department of Trade and Industry reports that around one million entities comprise the SME industry, accounting for 60 percent of Philippine businesses’ total revenue and responsible for more than 2.5 million jobs in the country. These companies continue to grapple with the public health crisis of COVID-19 alongside the country’s struggle to jumpstart and sustain the economy.
To help alleviate the pandemic’s impact on SMEs, convenience lifestyle retail chain FamilyMart has opened its doors and lent its store shelves to entrepreneurs to bring in and feature their products under the #WeSupportSME campaign. It seeks to bridge consumers back to these SMEs by connecting them through FamilyMart’s extensive and established retail network, while at the same time widening the store’s offerings.
“We want to help the local economy by promoting SMEs while also being of service to our customers. We consider suppliers and vendors as part of our’ family’ as well—right to the spirit of our tagline #WeGotchuFam,” says general manager of FamilyMart Philippines Bernie Suiza.
FamilyMart has partnered with Aperitif, a local restaurant known for its iconic cheese and cold cuts graze boxes, as one of their pioneer SMEs under the campaign to feature their accessible ‘Ooey Gooey Cookie’ selections in-store.
“Aperitif sales have always been driven mostly by catering, but during ECQ, it shifted to a la carte, but logistics was a problem. Thanks to FamilyMart, the business sustained its production and sales level and even made it higher,” says Aperitif owner and CEO Karla Zulueta Zulueta.
More than 30 FamilyMart stores are selling Aperitif’s sought-after cookies such as Classic Chocolate Chip, Reese’s Dark Chocolate, and White Chocolate.
This month, FamilyMart is giving the #WeGotchuFam treatment to another SME and added Baked by Machew as its latest partner for the #WeSupportSME campaign. With this, FamilyMart is now offering Chef Matthew Lim’s famous Premium Kani Sushi Bake.
“We are excited to be part of FamilyMart’s #WeSupportSMEs project since it has undoubtedly helped SMEs, much like ourselves, in these trying times. Valuing the same set of principles and mindset, we believe FamilyMart will help us grow further. Given their reliability, positive reputation, and vast clientele, it has set itself to be a stepping stone for SMEs out there. We are grateful to be part of the growing fam,” says Baked by Machew owner Chef Matthew Lim.
As for FamilyMart, Suiza is excited to share that they will be offering more exciting food choices as they continue to partner with more local SMEs.
“This is all in line with our goal to be part of our customers and patrons’ lives, in good times and especially now in this challenging period— to provide the comforts and conveniences of family,” Suiza concludes.
FamilyMart is available through GrabMart.
