Encouraged by the positive result of their first venture, SIFI with the Officers and some members thought of other business options. The ARC underwent a Business Expansion workshop at SIFI in March 2018. At the end of the training, the group had a draft business plan. This was followed by a quick and dirty market assessment, using SWOT analysis principles, led by SIFI on-site. The result – the ARC decided to open a wholesale store of consumer goods and other products. This was unanimously approved by general assembly and a Php 100,000 capital, from the ARC’s general fund, was allocated.
In May 2018, less than a year after they started their rice retailing business, the ARC opened the first ever and only wholesaler store in the San Vicente, Barangay Capitan Ramon, Silay City. The Wholesaler Store carries several consumer products, which can only be bought at wholesale quantity (e.g. minimum of 3-6 per item). The policy ensures that the store does not compete with the many retail stores – as they are also customers. Prices are low, as stocks are bought from main suppliers. SIFI linked the ARC to several main suppliers of various products. One of them is the provincial distributor for all Nestle products. SIFI initially negotiated for low prices, product promotions and tie-ups and free delivery then linked the ARC with the suppliers.
The RSS program will continue to provide capability building support to the ARC. Most immediate is the input on inventory management, record keeping, bookkeeping, and cash management. This will be given on site.
