Vente and Dollar Store

One fascinating find at the Robinson's Malls is Vente, a stall containing all items that cost Php20 each. The products look very akin to those you can find at Divisoria and Greenhills. The difference, however, is that you can find them at the comfort of your favorite neighborhood mall.

Vente provides novelty but not necessarily quality. If you really want items to last longer, you still need to visit the real stores. Vente is so beneficial to people who are concerned of managing meager budget.

America has its local version of Vente: Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Family Dollar. These stores fascinate promdis as they provide products that cost a minimum of one dollar. For Filipinos who sneak in to find "made in USA" tags, it is frustrating because many products are actually made in China. LOL!

But dollar stores are amusing for cheap school supplies, toiletries, and packed varieties of cookies. They also feature party favors for less. Name it and you'll get it there. Very Divisoria. Very Greenhills. LOL!

One interesting feature of a dollar store is that it retails items. Tingi, a Filipino economic trait, is very much alive in a dollar store!

When I was in college, I was convinced Ersatz capitalism (the idealism that powered tingi or sari-sari store concept) was only true in third world countries. Now the dollar stores are representing it in the first world.