Cooped at home during one of the longest COVID-19 lockdowns in the world, Filipinos changed their shopping habits: online shopping in the country increased by 57 percent in the first half of 2020, marking the most significant growth in Southeast Asia. And even as the pandemic winds down, a study shows Filipinos will continue shopping online.

MetroMart, the Philippines’ largest e-commerce retailer, was ahead of the game. The Instacart of the Philippines, MetroMart is an online delivery platform that brings essential goods, such as fresh produce and medicine, straight to the user’s doorstep. Launched in 2016, it connects over a million users across Metro Manila and other major cities to the biggest retailers in the country, including Robinsons Supermarket, Landmark, All Day, and S&R.

MetroMart is ahead of the pack by becoming the first online grocery delivery platform in Asia and the first retailer in the Philippines to commit to selling only cage-free eggs by 2025.

“MetroMart is committed to social responsibility and benefiting the community, including through selling high quality, safe and humane food products,” said Evreem Fortich, Chief Operating Officer Cage-Free Egg Ambassador at MetroMart.

Lever worked closely with MetroMart to develop its cage-free egg policy. By only selling cage-free eggs, MetroMart sends a strong message to its fellow retailers in the Philippines to improve the welfare of egg-laying hens.

As a bonus, the switch to cage-free only addresses another shopping trend brought about by the pandemic: Filipinos’ increasing demand for healthier food.

With its new cage-free egg policy, MetroMart joins Filipino companies that pioneered the switch to more humane and safe eggs, such as Healthy Options, Fresh Start Organics, and Santis Delicatessen.

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