Lalamove Survey: Over 60% Of Filipino SMEs Cautious Yet See Brighter 2026

Sixty-one percent of Filipino small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are cautiously optimistic about the country’s business landscape as another year is set to begin.

Lalamove, the leading on-demand delivery platform, said in a statement on Friday, Nov. 28, this was one of the findings from its survey conducted between September and October with about 500 respondents, mostly micro and SMEs.

Compared to 2025, 22 percent of the respondents said their outlook is unchanged and uncertain while 31 percent are looking forward to business prospects in 2026.

While the survey highlights optimism from the SME respondents, they remain careful in their business decisions because of several persistent challenges.

The survey found that 83 percent expect interest rate hikes and inflation to be a blocker to their business growth over the next 12 months. Additionally, 82 percent said low consumer spending or fluctuating customer might be a blocker for their business in 2026 while 72 percent cited high logistics costs as a concern. These uncertainties affect businesses’ profitability.

“At Lalamove, we value the insights of the many businesses we serve. Our survey underscores both their optimism and their concerns about the business landscape in the coming months, giving us a clearer understanding of their needs. We remain focused on helping them manage costs and become more flexible through affordable and efficient on-demand logistics solutions,” said Djon Nacario, managing director of Lalamove Philippines.

Filipino SMEs gear up for the holiday rush

As the year draws to a close, many Filipino SMEs are gearing up for the holiday season. According to the survey, 60 percent of respondents said they are increasing and stocking up on inventory, while 37 percent are preparing to adjust their delivery timelines as early as September, when the survey was done, reflecting optimism on a normal high demand for Christmas despite recent calamities and political concerns that may affect the festivities.

Sixty-seven percent still believe customers will look forward to preparing for usual festivity preparations as the top business strategy still remains to launch holiday marketing and advertising campaigns in preparation for the Christmas season, despite the current state of the country in recent months.

On-demand delivery services are the top resources helpful for Filipino SMEs

Since year-end preparations are pivotal for business owners, many SMEs are strategically adjusting to the current business landscape to ensure continued growth and stability.

About 72 percent of SMEs said logistics or on-demand delivery services are among the most important resources for their operations. Meanwhile, affordable pricing ranked as the top consideration when choosing a delivery service, followed by speed and safe delivery.

Since Lalamove is known as the most affordable on-demand delivery platform, especially for businesses, it must adapt to the growing needs of its customers. That’s why it has also recently improved its trustworthiness through the launch of a facial recognition feature for drivers and upgraded its default insurance coverage for package loss and damage to up to P20,000.

As SMEs continue to adapt and innovate, on-demand delivery platforms like Lalamove play a crucial role in empowering them to remain efficient, resilient, and well-supported as they enter the new year.