COMPETITIVENESS, VIABILITY, ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND DIFFICULTIES OF THE UKAY-UKAY BUSINESS Judy Ann P. Valdez 1 , Beverly Rose L. Acosta 2 , Bonifacio V. Ramos 3 1 Student Researcher, 2 Student Researcher, 3 Faculty Researcher 1 valdez_judyann@yahoo.com, 2 bevyrose@yahoo.com, 3 bonifacioramos50@yahoo.com Cagayan Valley Computer and Information Technology College, Inc. Abstract Ukay-ukay, the art of rummaging second-hand stuffs, is wide-spread in the Philippines: a very trending act of shopping that made a strong impact on the textile and clothing industry. The tre- mendous growth of this business phenomenon is observed in San- tiago City. It effected changes on the shopping practices, lifestyle of the masses, and supplemented the existence of the textile clothing industry. The presence of such business activity in the city gained attention from the different sectors – ukay-ukay entrepreneurs, consumers, franchised clothing traders and government. The com- petitiveness and viability of the ukay-ukay business in the long run is an important concern. Using a survey questionnaire to gather data from 30 purposive and 100 random samples of entrepreneurs and customers, respectively, this descriptive study aimed to deter- mine the competitiveness, viability, economic benefits and difficul- ties faced by the business as basis for formulating interventions to uplift the business. The study found out that ukay-ukay is not as preferred as department stores and other stores, but could be competitiǀe ďased oŶ the ;aͿ ĐoŶsuŵers eǀaluatioŶ of the stuffs as passing the criteria on durability, prestige, originality and unique- ness, low pricing, and desiring to continue patronizing the ukay-ukay stores, (b) eŶtrepreŶeurs perĐeptioŶs on its profitability and long-term viability, high prospects of continuing their business in the next 5 years and becoming more knowledgeable while en- gaging iŶ the ďusiŶess. The eŶtrepreŶeurs leadiŶg problems are uŶsteadLJ sale aŶd the Đustoŵers diffiĐultLJ iŶ rummaging while their needs include increasing their capitalization and making their stalls more spacious and comfortable. The problems encountered by customers of the ukay-ukay business do not significantly affect the economic benefits they derive. Keywords: Competitiveness, Viability, Economic Benefits, Ukay-ukay Business 1. Introduction The clothing industry is one of the leading businesses throughout