Business opportunities

What are the top business trends in 2026?

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Business advisory group Philippine Hub Partners recently identified several high-growth industries that are shaping the country’s economy and are creating fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

First is e-commerce and online retail.

It noted that the digital economy is expanding rapidly and is positioning the Philippines as a rising e-commerce hub in Southeast Asia.

Market leaders like Shopee and Lazada, it said in its report, continue to thrive. “The low startup costs make online selling appealing to individuals and small business owners. Affiliate marketing has also emerged as a powerful tool to increase traffic and conversions for sellers while giving affiliates a steady passive income source.”

Second is food delivery and logistics.

The report stated that food delivery in the Philippines has become a fixture in everyday life.

“Originally accelerated by the pandemic, the convenience it offers ensures sustained demand well into 2026. Services like GrabFood and Foodpanda dominate the market, with GrabFood holding a 56 percent market share. In 2020, the industry hit $1.2 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) and it is projected to reach $7.46 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 10.39 percent,” it said.

It added that the ecosystem is expanding beyond meals to include groceries, medicine and even last-mile delivery for e-commerce businesses. “Some startups are offering innovative bundled services combining warehousing and logistics. User penetration has already hit 10.1 percent, and with nearly three million active users, the sector is poised for continued expansion.”

I couldn’t agree more with these first two.