Sari-Sari Stores Readiness for GCash Adoption as Digital Payment System

Abstract

This study examined the readiness of sari-sari store owners in the Philippines to embrace GCash as a digital payment system, considering their level of knowledge, attitudes, challenges, and recommendations. A mixed-methods strategy was employed to gather data from 68 sari-sari store owners. This methodology involved the use of structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The study results indicate moderate exposure, familiarity, and willingness to adopt GCash as their digital payment system. However, notable challenges need to be addressed, including concerns over security, trust, customer knowledge, legal uncertainty, and technological constraints. The owners suggest the adoption of more robust security measures, the improvement of user education and awareness, the optimization of connectivity and usability, the revision of transaction costs, and the provision of government assistance to promote wider acceptance and utilization of GCash. These findings enhance the comprehension of adopting digital payment methods in emerging countries, specifically in the Philippines' relatively unexplored population of sari-sari merchants.