An Australian retail concept built around buying by weight and reducing packaging waste has arrived in the Philippines. Scoop Wholefoods, together with its personal care counterpart Scoop Whole Beauty, has opened at Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati City.
The store introduces a refill-led shopping experience that gives customers the flexibility to purchase food, pantry essentials, and personal care products in quantities that suit their needs. Rather than choosing from fixed package sizes, shoppers can bring reusable containers or use recyclable paper bags provided in-store, then pay according to the weight of their selections.
The concept puts a familiar practice into a more organised retail setting. Filipinos have long been accustomed to buying certain goods in custom portions, but Scoop aims to make this approach part of a wider everyday routine centred on mindful consumption.
“Filipinos have long understood the practicality of buying in custom portions. Bringing Scoop to the Philippines allows us to elevate that familiar habit into a modern, zero-waste lifestyle,” said Romy Sia, Managing Director of Healthy Options Group.
A different way to shop for everyday essentials
Founded in Sydney in 2013, Scoop Wholefoods was inspired by the traditional markets of Malta and the founders' interest in making quality food and more conscious living accessible. The brand has since grown to more than 20 locations worldwide.
Its retail model centres on choice and flexibility. Customers can purchase just a small amount of a specialty ingredient or stock up on household staples, depending on their budget and requirements. Buying smaller quantities can also help households manage pantry supplies and avoid purchasing more than they can use.
“Shopping by weight gives people the freedom to make healthier choices that respect both their budget and the planet,” said founders Jeremy and Bettina Kirk. They added that buying only what is needed can help shoppers manage spending, reduce waste, and limit single-use plastics.
The store is designed to make the process straightforward. Customers bring clean containers from home or use the recyclable paper bags available in the store. Containers are weighed at the counter before shoppers fill them, allowing the weight of the packaging to be deducted when the contents are paid for.
The selection includes organic wholefoods, natural treats, pantry staples, freshly prepared granolas and mueslis, and products developed with artisanal producers in Australia. Among the brand's popular offerings are Byron Bay chocolate-coated fruits and nuts.
The Philippine store is also incorporating local products into its selection. These include locally harvested rice from Family Farms and probiotic kombucha on tap from Brye and Brew. Scoop says it intends to expand its relationships with Filipino farmers, artisans, and makers as the local business grows.
For Sia, making conscious shopping practical is central to the concept.
“Conscious living is best integrated into daily routines when it is made intuitive and practical for shoppers,” he said, describing a shopping experience that can accommodate anything from a pinch of spice to a week's supply of household essentials.
Extending the refill concept to personal care
Scoop's sustainability approach also extends beyond food through Scoop Whole Beauty, its dedicated personal care and beauty range.
The collection includes cosmetics and skincare described by the brand as 100% vegan, palm-oil-free, and toxin-free, with ingredients sourced on ethical and earth-based principles.
Customers can buy selected products such as liquid soaps, face masks, and body oils by weight. The range also includes alternatives to conventional packaged products, including solid shampoo bars and compostable beauty tools.
Scoop Whole Beauty works with Australian artisans on personal care products packaged in compostable materials. These include natural deodorants, face washes, and lip balms.
The beauty line also features mineral makeup designed for warm and humid conditions. According to the brand, the lightweight formulas absorb oil and moisture while offering buildable, long-wearing coverage. Its shades are developed with Filipino skin tones in mind.
Another feature is the use of plastic-free, refillable makeup pans. Customers can replace individual shades as needed rather than disposing of an entire compact when one product runs out.
Making reuse part of the shopping routine
Scoop's pay-by-weight system is designed to make refilling accessible even to shoppers who are new to the practice.
The process begins with bringing a clean reusable container or choosing a paper bag in-store. The empty container is weighed before customers fill it with their preferred products. Once selections are complete, shoppers proceed to the register, where payment is based on the weight of the contents.
The founders say the store is intended to welcome both experienced refill shoppers and those taking their first steps towards reducing packaging waste.
“We designed Scoop as a welcoming space for everyone, whether you are taking your first zero-waste step or are a seasoned refiller,” Jeremy and Bettina Kirk said.
With its combination of international products, local sourcing, refillable pantry goods, and personal care options, Scoop Wholefoods brings another model of conscious retail to the Philippine market. Its success will depend not only on the products it offers, but also on how easily shoppers can make refilling part of their regular routines.
Scoop Wholefoods and Scoop Whole Beauty are located at Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City. Customers can follow Scoop Wholefoods Philippines and Scoop Whole Beauty Philippines on social media for updates on their product selections and local partnerships.