Predict sari-sari store stockouts before they happen
Help small neighborhood stores avoid missed sales by forecasting which fast-moving goods need replenishment.
Problem
What needs solving
Many sari-sari stores track inventory manually, making it hard to know when staples like prepaid load, canned goods, rice, coffee sachets, and hygiene products are about to run out.
Why it matters
The Philippine context
A stockout can mean lost income for the store and extra trips for the neighborhood. Lightweight forecasting could make everyday retail more resilient without expensive software.
Challenge brief
Your task
- *Create a simple inventory assistant that can work with handwritten logs, phone photos, spreadsheet input, or chat-based updates.
- *Focus on low-friction adoption for store owners who do not want another complicated dashboard.
- *Recommend what to restock, when to restock, and why.
Output
What to submit
- *Prototype or workflow mockup.
- *Sample input and output using at least ten common store items.
- *Explanation of forecasting logic in plain language.
Eligibility
Who can join
- *Open to students interested in retail, data, operations, or product design.
- *Solo submissions and small teams are welcome.
- *Solutions should be usable by non-technical store owners.
Timeline
Important dates
Brief opens
June 3, 2026
Submission deadline
July 5, 2026
Pilot selection
July 15, 2026
Judging
How strong submissions stand out
Ease of use for sari-sari store owners.
Practicality in low-connectivity settings.
Quality of forecasting assumptions.
Potential to improve store income.
Build for the brief, not for a resume screen.
This placeholder page is focused on understanding the problem and reward. Submission actions can be added once the final Challenge PH flow is ready.