Digital payments fuel PhilSeven's stronger 2026 outlook despite high inflation
Philippine Seven Corp. (PhilSeven), the exclusive licensor of 7-Eleven convenience stores in the Philippines, is more optimistic about the second half of 2026 following its strong performance during the second quarter, which was driven mainly by its adoption of digital payment systems.
“If the second quarter is an indication, it makes us more optimistic. The [digital] payment terminals will roll out, and that’s given us a strong market,” said PhilSeven Chairman Jose Victor Paterno during the media briefing after the firm’s annual stockholders’ meeting (ASM).
He added that while the second half of last year was more challenging, this year is expected to be better, and “we expect perhaps just a modest increase… We expect better performance in the second half.”
PhilSeven President Richard Lee said their sales have yet to be affected by the forecast lower economic growth and higher inflation due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
He added that they have actually been able to register growth due to their shift to digital payments starting last year, noting that, “We have a digital ecosystem now. So that’s really attracted a lot of new customers to us. So from our performance, we haven’t seen any sales impact from the customers. So far, so good.”
However, if inflation worsens, Lee said it might affect 7-Eleven’s sales.
PhilSeven continues to invest in the capabilities that will power its next phase of growth, directing resources into store modernization, technology, supply chain, and operational efficiency.
The company accelerated its digital transformation to make everyday shopping more convenient for customers and its operations more responsive.
A key milestone was the expansion of cashless payment acceptance across the network. Cashless payment acceptance was successfully rolled out to more than 1,000 stores by the end of 2025 and has since built on that momentum, expanding to cover more than 4,000 stores by the end of May 2026.
Customers can now pay using credit cards, debit cards, QR Ph, e-wallets, and other cashless methods, making transactions faster and more convenient. These investments position the business for long-term, sustainable growth built on continued innovation.
“We enter the next chapter with confidence. Our focus now is on execution, opening the right stores, deepening how we serve customers, and scaling the digital and payment capabilities we built this year. That is how we keep 7-Eleven the most convenient choice for Filipinos wherever they are,” said Lee.